I get silly ideas sometimes. For example, I've always thought that jazz trumpeter Billy Butterfield's mellifluous moniker seemed to perfectly suit his lush, smooth playing style. You might not agree, but even if you think I'm all wet you have to admit that it is a great name for a performer. Like many of his … Continue reading Billy Butterfield Had The Perfect Name
Category: Big Band
Charlie Spivak – Playing Sweet And Straight
Orchestras in the big band era were often labeled in one of two ways. They were either 'hot' -- which meant cutting-edge music that often featured improvised solos -- or 'sweet', which perfectly describes the smooth and straight-ahead sound offered by bandleaders like Charlie Spivak. Although his origins were a little fuzzy -- he either … Continue reading Charlie Spivak – Playing Sweet And Straight
Ted Weems And His Late-Blooming Hit
Although he died a half-century ago, Ted Weems is still remembered by a lot of older music fans. An early jazz musician and bandleader, Weems was very popular in the prohibition era and would later introduce fans to Perry Como, but is probably most remembered now for the late 1940s popularity of "Heartaches" -- even … Continue reading Ted Weems And His Late-Blooming Hit
Crooner Tony Martin Had Long Career
After a long and notable career, crooner Tony Martin has died at age 98. Below I've reposted a earlier piece, and have also reactivated the song sample, "Stranger In Paradise." (The following was originally published in 2009.) Tony Martin — Crooner Or Cowboy? I love to watch old Western movies on TV, but I have … Continue reading Crooner Tony Martin Had Long Career
Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
So I was listening to an old song that I'm sure most of us remember -- "Sweet Georgia Brown" -- and I discovered something interesting. The song, which you might remember as the signature tune of the Harlem Globetrotters, has been performed by just about everybody since it was written almost a century ago. And … Continue reading Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
Nan Wynn’s Near Miss
Proving once again that just having talent and good looks isn't necessarily enough to make it big in show business, we offer the case of Nan Wynn. A gorgeous gal with a soft and sweet singing style, she had a nice career that included time spent as a big band songbird and radio entertainer, along … Continue reading Nan Wynn’s Near Miss
The Musical Side Of Fred MacMurray
Although he died more than two decades ago, I would think that most of us remember Fred MacMurray pretty well. He was a major star during a long career that included memorable appearances in movies like Double Indemnity, The Egg And I, and The Caine Mutiny, and he also had a long run as the … Continue reading The Musical Side Of Fred MacMurray
The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter
During the big band era almost every orchestra had a songbird, a female vocalist who not only performed with the band but also provided a little glamour. For some of them it was their first real exposure to the big time, but there were a few who were already pretty well established before they joined … Continue reading The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter
The Singing Side Of Martha Raye
Regular visitors to the GMC know that one post often triggers another, and that's the case today because I decided to look a little deeper into the singing partner (in one movie, at least) of our last featured performer, Frances Faye. That would be Martha Raye, who is probably most remembered now as a comedienne … Continue reading The Singing Side Of Martha Raye
The Bold And Brassy Sound Of Billy May
A talented trumpeter who at times led a very successful orchestra of his own, Billy May is probably most remembered now as a composer and arranger, one of the best ever. During a decades-long career that began in the swing era, the Grammy-winner worked with a staggering list of stars; among them Glenn Miller, Frank … Continue reading The Bold And Brassy Sound Of Billy May
Geezer Music Club 