Big Band Bash

Latest Episodes:

Ralph Marterie and Sy Zentner Apr 25, 2020

Show notes

On the show today I am presenting two exceptional bands from the 1950's and 60's. I have some of these recordings and I have to say they are really good. We will be learning about Ralph Marterie and Sy Zentner and if you have never heard of them you are in for a treat. The first half features Ralph's band and he plays most of the trumpet solos and then in the second half we'll feature the big band of Sy Zentner. I don't have a puzzler this week so get ready to listen to some exciting music from two big bands from the 1950's. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Chart Toppers Part 2 Apr 18, 2020

Show notes

Hello everyone. Today's program is part two of Chart Toppers of the 1930's and 40's. This was a show that I originally produced back in 2008. I kept all the music and redid some of the introductions. Also, the puzzler is back and it is a little challenging if I do say so. I hope I play some of your favorites on the show today. I hope everyone is well and safe. Remember, if you are practicing social isolation, what better way to pass the time than listening to this week's episode of Big Band Bash. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Chart Toppers Part 1 Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Chart Toppers is a show I did back in 2008. I have updated it and added in the Puzzler. These were the songs that were leading the charts back in the thirties and forties. This is a two cd set that i have and this is where the music comes from. Today's program is kind of a best of show with, i hope, many of your favorites. I didn't spend much time explaining the music as I do on some of the other shows I have done. Thank you so much for listening. Be well and be safe. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Spotlight on Ted Heath Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

Ted Heath led an exceptional Big Band in England after World War Two into the 1960's. He always had top notch musicians in his bands. I wanted to put together a show about Ted for quite a while and I hope you enjoy his recordings as much as I do. I'll be playing from two albums called Swing is King. I bought these albums early in my youth and have nearly worn them out they are that good. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy this look at the bands of Ted Heath. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Tex Beneke 1946 Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

This week I am going to present two radio remotes from the Hollywood Palladium by Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1946. The Miller estate authorized an official Glenn Miller "ghost band" in 1946. This band was led by Tex Beneke who as time went on had more prominence in the band's identity. It had a make up similar to Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band, having a large string section. Henry Mancini was the band's pianist and one of the arrangers. I hope you enjoy these radio remotes on the CBS network from 1946 by Tex Beneke. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Spotlight On Jo Stafford Mar 21, 2020

Show notes

On today's show, I am going to shine the spotlight on vocalist Jo Stafford. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classical training to become an opera singer before following a career in popular music, and by 1955 had achieved more worldwide record sales than any other female artist. I'll be playing some of the hits she had with Tommy Dorsey as well as some she had as a solo performer. If you like vocalists then you're sure to want to tune in. Jo Stafford is one of my favorite vocalists and I hope she is one of yours. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

On Location Part 2 Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

We continue this week with part 2 of On Location. These were recordings of the bands as they were out on tour playing for the public. Today we will be hearing from three bands: Harry James. Woody Herman, and Artie Shaw. This is a great set with the bands playing some of their hits as well as some new songs. Artie's set is from December 23, 1938 from New York and it is filled with Artie's great clarinet playing. I hope you enjoy part 2 of On Location. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

On Location Part 1 Mar 07, 2020

Show notes

During the era of the big bands, a radio broadcast was a very important way of getting the public to hear your band. Many of these broadcasts were recorded by fans and then were passed down and sometimes they ended up in the hands of record companies. The recordings on today's show were recorded when the bands were appearing on location. We'll be hearing the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Les Brown and the Benny Goodman Sextet on today's program. It is a fantastic show with lots of great music. I hope you enjoy this look at the big bands while they were appearing on location. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Black History Month Part 3: Nat King Cole Feb 22, 2020

Show notes

Black History Month Part 3 continues with a look at the music and career of the late Nat King Cole. A fantastic pianist, Nat found his biggest fame as a singer of popular songs. I picked Nat for our focus because I haven't presented a show on him in quite some time. In fact a lot of the introductions I copied from a program I did on Nat from 2008. The Big Band Bash puzzler is back this week so I hope you'll get your thinking caps ready. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy this look at the late Nat King Cole. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

Black History Month Part 2: Billie Holiday Feb 15, 2020

Show notes

Black History Month continues this week with a look at the music and career of one of the most influential female vocalists in jazz Billie Holiday. Billie led a short and tragic life but the music she left behind is still being played and remembered. I'll be playing an assortment of her music as well as taking a look at her career. Also, the Big Band Bash puzzler is back so I hope you'll tune in or download the podcast. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com

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