Although there were a lot of orchestras around in the late 1920s and they were playing everything from ballroom music to dixieland, a new style was beginning to evolve. Ironically, 'hot' jazz became the coolest thing around, and its rising popularity soon led to the beginning of the big band era, a period that would … Continue reading Luis Russell Missed The Fame Express
Category: Big Band
Art Mooney Found The Magic Formula
Bandleader Art Mooney led one of the most popular orchestras around during the post-war years, but his biggest success came after he changed styles. He'd led a solid swing band for a few years, but found the magic formula to widespread popularity when he changed to a feel-good type of music, one that featured sweet … Continue reading Art Mooney Found The Magic Formula
The Many Talents Of Art Lund
You might or might not remember Art Lund, but I'm willing to bet that you'd recognize his 1947 chart-topping "Mam’selle" if you heard it. (And you can, below.) But Lund was in no way a one-hit wonder. He was actually a multi-talented guy with a long performing life that began with success as a big-band … Continue reading The Many Talents Of Art Lund
The Delightful Dolly Dawn
Most of us probably don't remember a songbird named Dolly Dawn, even though she was very well known during the 1930s and 1940s and was a fan favorite. However, you might remember her biggest hit -- "You're a Sweetheart" -- which was one of the most popular songs in the U.S. for a while, not … Continue reading The Delightful Dolly Dawn
Al Trace – From Silly To Slightly Serious
The subject of silly songs has come up from time to time here on the GMC, beginning as early as 2006 with a post about some of the best practitioners of the art. That post also mentioned a goofy tune that was a hit for several bands, including one led by today's spotlighted artist. But … Continue reading Al Trace – From Silly To Slightly Serious
Francis Craig And A Double Dose Of Nostalgia
As regular visitors to the GMC know, I sometimes write about how I've stumbled upon a tune that's very familiar from my childhood. Today's subject is a guy who was responsible for two of those, songs that were big hits in the post-war years even though his breakthrough didn't come until he was more than … Continue reading Francis Craig And A Double Dose Of Nostalgia
Richard Maltby – A Pro’s Pro
Although Richard Maltby started his musical career as a trumpeter, it wasn't long before the skills he became known for came to the forefront. Over the course of a long career that began in the 1930s, he made his mark as one of the best composers, arrangers, and bandleaders around. He was especially known for … Continue reading Richard Maltby – A Pro’s Pro
The Many Talents Of Bobby Sherwood
Bobby Sherwood's "Elks Parade" has always been one of my favorites from the big band era and it's probably the best known song from his bandleader days. But it was just the tip of the iceberg for this multi-talented performer, who could play many different instruments, sing and dance like the vaudeville trouper he once … Continue reading The Many Talents Of Bobby Sherwood
Anatomy Of A Song – An Exotic Beginning
It might surprise you to learn that "What a Diff'rence a Day Made" (sometimes known as "What a Difference a Day Makes") actually began as a song written in Spanish by a very talented lady who'd previously relocated from Mexico to New York City. Of course, it didn't become a familiar song to most of … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – An Exotic Beginning
Buddy Tate – A Consummate Pro
Today's spotlighted artist was one of the many guys who seemed to operate slightly below the radar in terms of wide-spread fame, but were always respected by their contemporaries and appreciated by knowledgeable fans. During a career that began way back in the 1920s and lasted more than seven decades, saxophonist Buddy Tate found a … Continue reading Buddy Tate – A Consummate Pro
Geezer Music Club 