Pre-War Big Bands, Part One - Sat, 03/05/2011
“America in 1938”
While Socialists, Communists and Fascists were making power grabs in Europe, America's attention was often elsewhere. Here’s just some of the things that were happening in 1938 America:
- DuPont announced the name for its new synthetic yarn: "nylon."
- Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium.
- Seabiscuit defeated War Admiral.
- Superman mades his first appearance in Action Comics #1.
- Howard Hughes set a new record by completing a 91 hour flight around the world.
- Wrong Way Corrigan took off from New York, heading for California. He landed in Ireland.
- Thornton Wilder's play “Our Town” was performed for the first time.
- Orson Welles's radio adaptation of "The War of the Worlds" was broadcast, causing panic in parts of the U.S.
- Benny Goodman and His Orchestra became the first jazz musicians to headline a concert at Carnegie Hall, and that’s right where we start this series on the Sound of Swing with a two week sampling of big band sounds from the pre-war years 1938 through 1941.
| Time | Artist | Album | Track | What's This? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:09 PM | Benny Goodman and His Orchestra | The Essential Benny Goodman | Roll 'Em Composer: M.L. Williams | |
| 11:13 AM | Benny Goodman and His Orchestra | The Essential Benny Goodman | Superman Composer: Eddie Sauter | |
| 11:18 AM | Benny Goodman and His Orchestra | The Essential Benny Goodman | How Long Has Been Going On? Composer: Ira & George Gershwin | |
| 11:22 AM | Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra | Duke Ellington: The Blanton -Webster Band | Jack the Bear Composer: Ellington | |
| 11:25 AM | Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra | Duke Ellington: The Blanton -Webster Band | Conga Brava Composer: Ellington-Tizol | |
| 11:28 AM | Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra | Duke Ellington: The Blanton -Webster Band | Concerto for Cootie Composer: Ellington | |
| 11:33 AM | Artie Shaw and His Orchestra | Artie Shaw-Frenesi | Blues (part one and two) Composer: Still | |
| 11:39 AM | Artie Shaw and His Orchestra | Artie Shaw-Frenesi | Star Dust Composer: Carmichael-Parrish | |
| 11:43 AM | Artie Shaw and His Orchestra | Artie Shaw-Frenesi | Back Bay Shuffle Composer: McCrae-Shaw | |
| 11:47 AM | Glenn Miller and His Orchestra | Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade | Pennsylvania 6-5000 Composer: Jerry Gray-Carl Sigman | |
| 11:50 AM | Glenn Miller and His Orchestra | Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade | Tuxedo Junction Composer: W. Johnson-J. Dash-E. Hawkins-B. Feyne | |
| 11:53 AM | Glenn Miller and His Orchestra | Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade | In The Mood Composer: Joe Garland-Andy Razaf | |
| 11:57 AM | Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra | Rhythm Is Our Business | While Love Lasts Composer: Wilcox |
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