Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra 1936
Last Saturday's program (3/12) on the Sound of Swing was a sampling of the big bands recorded in the years just before U.S. involvement in World War Two – 1938 through 1941.
It's hard to say I have a favorite band from the period, there's so many good ones. If I had to pick one, though, it would have to be the orchestra of Jimmie Lunceford. A show band as tight as it could be, with virtually no top ranked soloists in any of the sections. Lunceford had arrangers, though, including the great Sy Oliver. Oliver left Lunceford and became one of the first blacks to have a prominent position in what had up to that time been an all-white band. Tommy Dorsey hired him as an arranger, and after Oliver gave the band a makeover he moved on to become music director of Decca Records.
Take a look at this 1936 video of Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra, and you'll see the appeal!
Thanks for the rememberance I love Page's show for his knowledge as you said.
We'll do a repeat of Saturday's Sound of Swing remembering Page Wednesday night (3/23) on "Jazz with Peter Solomon." Start time is 7 P.M. I hope you can join us, either on-air or online at ideastations.org/radio. Just click on HD1.
Such a shame that Lunceford died at such a youngish age. 45, as I recall.
When I was a little girl, my mom and grandmother sang me Big Band tunes to the exclusion of just about anything else. When I got to first grade, I was clueless about the "Itsy Bitsy Spider, "Old MacDonald," etc., but I could sing "Rhythm is our Business," "Pistol Packin' Mama," and "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" like nobody's business!
Nothing like the Big Bands!
Gimme the Lunceford two-beat! I love Lunceford's band, too. In the showmanship department, he had it all over the other bands who had name stars. I think he was one of the best band leaders and one of the most disciplined ones and it shows it this gorgeous short from Vitaphone! I love this! Thank you for sharing, Steve!
Thanks, Alison! In the weeks and months ahead we'll be exploring even more ways for you to share your interests and discoveries.
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