I've written a lot of pieces about musical stars who have enjoyed long performing careers, many stretching on for several decades. But it would be tough to top a guy who began his professional career by playing in Glenn Miller's band in 1940 -- and is still active today. Bandleader/trumpeter Ray Anthony (Raymond Antonini) was … Continue reading A Long Ride For Ray Anthony
Category: Big Band
Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Swing
When you look at the current music scene and see the various methods used to promote the performers, it would be easy to think that it's a relatively new phenomenon, but it's not. Historical precedents are varied and numerous. For example, Mozart's father tirelessly promoted his son as a young genius and a musical prodigy … Continue reading Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Swing
Ben Webster – King Of The Tenors?
Although King Of The Tenors was the title given to Ben Webster's classic 1953 album, making that type of pronouncement probably provoked an argument, as it would now. But even though Webster was certainly one of the best of the early jazz saxophonists, the title of the album was probably not his idea anyway. In … Continue reading Ben Webster – King Of The Tenors?
Don’t Forget The Boswells
I've written several times about singing sister acts, and there are a lot of fans who still remember the Fontanes, the Andrews Sisters and others. But one of the earliest and best of the sister groups might be a little less familiar, and that's a shame because the Boswell Sisters were supremely talented. The Boswell … Continue reading Don’t Forget The Boswells
Getting To Know Arthur Greenslade
I've mentioned before that I like to periodically check the freebies that Amazon and other online music sellers offer. Although some of the tracks they give away are a little iffy, you can also find yourself getting acquainted with good music from someone you might not know too well, like Arthur Greenslade. Arthur Greenslade's name … Continue reading Getting To Know Arthur Greenslade
Marching Along With Flare
I was once again going through some old pictures, and ran across one of myself lined up with the other members of my Boy Scout troop. (I'm the last one in the middle row.) It would date from the early 1950s, and I think we were arranged that way because we were practicing drilling, one … Continue reading Marching Along With Flare
Remembering The B-List Music Stars
Although you seldom see much about the big band era that flourished before and during World War II, many of the names are still familiar. Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman have names that will ring the proverbial bell with most of us, but what about Chick Webb, Larry Clinton, or Claude Thornhill? As … Continue reading Remembering The B-List Music Stars
Bob — The Other Crosby
Something that has always fascinated me is how often two or more members of the same family find musical fame, even if in varying degrees. I suppose it's not that unusual for offspring, siblings, cousins, and the like to gravitate to the field that has provided success for others in the family, whether it's music, … Continue reading Bob — The Other Crosby
Kate Smith’s Special Song
As most baseball fans know, since the events of September 11, 2001, a lot of games now feature the singing of "God Bless America" at the 7th inning break. I was watching a game on TV the other day, and as the music was performed I began thinking about the origins of the song itself … Continue reading Kate Smith’s Special Song
Pondering Julie London
How someone is remembered -- as an actress who also sang or a singer who also acted -- is a question that has occurred to me more than once. It's not always easy to answer when considering the many ladies who have dipped a toe in both ponds. And just to muddy that pond water … Continue reading Pondering Julie London
Geezer Music Club 