bigbandbash's podcast

Big Band Bash is a show presenting the music, musicians, and era of the great Big Bands. Each show highlights a different aspect of the big bands, whether it be a show about a certain band or a subject of the big bands anywhere from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. I hope to get your feet tapping with this great music.

Songs of the 1920's Part 3 10/29/2024

Songs of the 1920's Part 3 This week continues our look at the songs composed in the 1920s. We start with the letter N and go down to the Letter T. The puzzler is back this week so I hope you have your thinking caps on. Next week we'll conclude our series with the last part of the alphabet along with some odds and ends. I hope you enjoy the music from the big bands as they play the Songs of the 1920s. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33673367

Songs of the 1920's Part 2 10/29/2024

Songs of the 1920's Part 2 Welcome back to this four part series on songs of the 1920s. Today we cover songs from that decade that begin with the letter "E" and go all the way down to "M". I broke my rule for this series by playing two songs on the show recorded by Artie Shaw. I had already recorded the introductions when I discovered I did this but I am sure you won't mind because it is one of his best sides. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the many hit songs from the 1920s. As usual the puzzle is back so get your thinking caps on. This is a repeat of a 4 part series from a few years ago. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33673247

Songs of the 1920's Part 1 10/29/2024

Songs of the 1920's Part 1 This was a repeat of a show from a few years ago. The 1920s were a decade filled with original songs by some of the leading composers of the era. I found a list of many of the popular songs composed in the 1920s and thought it would be fun to listen to those songs as recorded by the big bands of the thirties and forties. Each show for the next four weeks is filled with all of those great songs composed in the 1920s. I did have one rule for myself. In order to make it interesting I only chose one big band per episode. That way one band would not monopolize the show. So get ready to back to the 1920's during the month of August on Big Band Bash. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33673222

Two Kays - Kay Kyser and Sammy Kaye 10/15/2024

Two Kays - Kay Kyser and Sammy Kaye This week I feature the two Kays, Sammy Kaye and Kay Kyser. Kay Kyser led a very successful swing orchestra although he didn't play an instrument. Sammy Kaye on the other hand, was a clarinetist and saxophonist but didn't play with his band. Both had unusual attractions: Kyser had "The College of Musical Knowledge" and Sammy had, "So You Want To Lead A Band?". /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33472767

Harry James Live 1943 - 1953 10/15/2024

Harry James Live 1943 - 1953 Harry James had a very popular band during the war years. The set of recordings I will be playng from this week are live recordings from the years of 1943 through 1953. Helen Forrest is featured on several of the selections but mostly it is the Music Makers who stand out. I hope you enjoy this set of live recordings by Harry James and His Orchestra. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33472712

Theme Songs Part 2 10/15/2024

Theme Songs Part 2 This week we are going to continue listening to the many theme songs used by the big bands. Theme songs were usually the first song played by a band when they were appearing or broadcasting live. It let the audience know whose band they were listening to. I tried to find all the original recordings of the bands. I hope you enjoy this look at the Big Band's theme songs. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/33472677

Theme Songs Part 1 08/28/2024

Theme Songs Part 1 This week I am going to start a three part look at the theme songs of the big bands. Each band had a song or a theme with which they would open and close their performances. I tried to find all the original recordings of the bands. I hope you enjoy this look at the Big Band's theme songs. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/32781932

Tribute to Bill Holman 08/28/2024

Tribute to Bill Holman This week we pay a tribute to the late arranger and tenor saxophonist Bill Holman. Bill got his start as a saxophonist in the Stan Kenton orchestra and then proved to be a great arranger as well. He went on to write arrangements for many bands and artists. He passed away at the age of 94. So I hope you enjoy this tribute to the late Bill Holman. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/32781737

July 4th and Patriotic Music 08/28/2024

July 4th and Patriotic Music Hello as we celebrate the Fourth of July this week.I tried to find as many Patriotic songs from the Big Band Era as I could. I hope you will help me celebrate this special holiday as we listen to some patriotic music. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/32781692

Songs of Summer Part 2 07/06/2024

Songs of Summer Part 2 As I am back from vacation, I am going to try and catch up with the podcasts. We continue this week with a program I did a few years ago on the Summer season of the year. I am looking at songs that have the words summer, june, July or Hot or anything that deals with summer. I hope you enjoy this Big Band salute to summer. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/32030852

Songs of Summer Part 1 06/26/2024

Songs of Summer Part 1 Since we are starting the Summer season of the year, here is a two part program I did a few years ago. There are some nice songs that have the words summer, June, July, or hot in the title. I hope you enjoy this program of assorted songs about the Summer season. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31902472

Steve Lawrence A Tribute 06/15/2024

Steve Lawrence A Tribute Hello everyone. We lost a very special vocalist this past March. Steve Lawrence passed away at the age of 88. He had been ill with Alzheimer's Disease for the last few years. I usually play big bands and vocalists associated with the Big Bands but Steve came up during the last years of the Big band era so I wanted to do a tribute to this great vocalist. Most of the songs on the show today are from the Great American Songbook. We will also learn about his career as I pay a tribute to the late, great vocalist Steve Lawrence. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31758285

Four Victory Parade of Spotlight Band Remotes 06/08/2024

Four Victory Parade of Spotlight Band Remotes Hello and welcome to another program of Big Band Remotes as we remember the many men and women who took part in the invasion of France called D-Day. Today we feature Les Brown, Bob Chester, Jan Savitt and Gene Krupa. These bands all appeared on a show called the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands. This show was sponsored by Coca Cola. I hope you enjoy this repeat orf a show I produced a few years ago. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31661587

Three Radio Remotes From World War Two 06/01/2024

Three Radio Remotes From World War Two In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I have pulled out a show I produced about ten years ago that has three remotes from World War Two. Two are from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands program. Big Bands always seemed to perform better in front of an audience. The solos are more exciting and the tempos are a little quicker. I hope you hear some of exciting sounds from these live performances. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31560222

Woody Herman A Birthday Salute Part 2 05/24/2024

Woody Herman A Birthday Salute Part 2 May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. We continue our celebration of his birthday with some of his hits from the 1940's. These are some of my favorite recordings from the Herman Herd, songs like Caldonia, Early Autumn, Four Brothers, Northwest Passage and more. Plus, in this episode I have a few segments from an interview that Woody gave in 1978. I hope you enjoy this salute to one of America's greatest big band leaders. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31458442

Woody Herman A Birthday Salute Part 1 05/18/2024

Woody Herman A Birthday Salute Part 1 May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. To celebrate this milestone we will be playing some of his early recordings made between the years of 1939 and 1946 on the show today which is part one of two. I was fortunate enough to see the Herman band in person not once but twice. They were a very exciting band and I have been a fan every since I was in high school. I hope you enjoy this salute to one of America's greatest big band leaders. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31365687

Four Remotes From World War Two Part Two 05/10/2024

Four Remotes From World War Two Part Two This week I am continuing with part two of Big Band Remotes from World War 2 with two remotes from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands series. At the same time, however, I am having a birthday salute to a favorite bandleader of mine, the late Artie Shaw. Artie was born on May 23, 1910 and he also appeared on the Spotlight band program for five consecutive weeks in 1945. So to honor Artie I would like to play the first two programs in that series. The sound quality is very good and there are some exciting solos from trumpeter Roy Eldridge. I hope you enjoy this look back at some on location performances from the great Artie Shaw as we remember his birthday.Temp /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31234782

Four Remotes From World War Two 05/04/2024

Four Remotes From World War Two On this week's show I would like to honor a request. A listener asked for some big band remotes that took place during World War Two. Most of the remotes I have during that era are from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands program. I found four 15 minute shows so on the program today we will be listening to the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Bob Chester, Benny Goodman, and Les Brown. Three of the shows are from 1943 and one is from 1944. I hope you enjoy this look back at some on location performances from four of America's top bands. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31123778

Lionel Hampton A Birthday Salute 04/27/2024

Lionel Hampton A Birthday Salute Lionel Hampton was born on April 20, 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky. I first discovered the great playing of Lionel when he was a member of the Benny Goodman Quartet. Join me as we celebrate the birthday of this true jazz master. I have lots of different recordings that Lionel is featured on as well as a look at his career. So get ready to tap your feet as we listen to and celebrate the amazing vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/31011133

Duke Ellington - A Birthday Salute Repeat 04/20/2024

Duke Ellington - A Birthday Salute Repeat Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 so to remember his birthday and to listen to some of his amazing music, I am repeating this show from 2013. There is lots of Ellington originals in this show as well as some information on his amazing life. I hope you will join me in celebrating the birthday of one of music's greatest composers, Duke Ellington. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30911543

Songs From Masters of the Air 04/13/2024

Songs From Masters of the Air Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have produced their third series about World War Two called Masters of the Air. It is a nine part series abot the pilots who flew the B-17 Bombers into Germany during WW2. There are several big band songs played throughout the series so I researched what songs were played and put together this show. There were only a couple of songs that I did not have so I don't think you'll mind my substitutions. I hope you enjoy the songs from the nine part series called Masters of the Air. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30808853

A Copilot Playlist 04/06/2024

A Copilot Playlist Copilot is the name of an artificial intelligence engine that is now included in Microsoft's Edge web browser. I posed this question to Copilot: could it pick out 16 songs from the 1930's and 1940's that were representative of the big bands of that era. After a couple minutes had gone by, Copilot displayed this list. It is a very interesting list and I had most of the songs in my collection and if I didn't have the version Copilot suggested I substituted one that I did have. Also, the little blurbs about the songs that I read were generated by Copilot. I think this is going to be a very useful tool for content creators going into the future. The puzzler is back this week so I hope you enjoy these selections from an artificial intelligence engine name Copilot. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30710898

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Four Repeat 03/29/2024

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Four Repeat Well, hello everyone and welcome to part four of our Glenn Miller Birthday salute. On today's show, as on the other three parts, we will be looking at the Band of the Allied Training Command. I have two radio remotes from the I Sustain the Wings series. That was a show of most patriotic music by the Army Air Force Orchestra. So I hope you will sit back and relax and listen to Glenn announce the numbers as we honor one of the most popular bandleaders of all time. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30599553

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Three Repeat 03/22/2024

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Three Repeat Hello and welcome to this week's Big Band Bash. We are continuing our Glenn Miller Birthday Salute with a look at the Army Air Force Orchestra. Today's show features a live broadcast by that orchestra with Glenn doing the announcing. It is a great broadcast and is sure to stir up some patriotic feelings. Glenn was born on March 01, 1904 and it is his bands and orchestra we think of when we had so many of our soldiers fighting in World War Two. I hope you enjoy this broadcast of the Allied Expeditionary Forces Orchestra directed by Major Glenn Miller. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30504988

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Two Repeat 03/18/2024

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part Two Repeat Hello everyone. I am a little late with this week's program. This week I am going to continue with our birthday salute to the late Glenn Miller. This is part two of a four part series I produced back in 2022. To celbrate Glenn's birthday that year I decided to put together a look at his Army Air Force Orchestra. The recordings come from a four disc set that I have in my collection. We will be learning about that great organization and their importance towards the war effort and listening to those great Miller recordings. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30426593

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part One Repeat 03/11/2024

Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part One Repeat Greetings everyone. March first is the birthday of the late Glenn Miller. To celebrate his birthday, I am running a repeat of a four part series looking at Glenn's Army Air Force Orchestra. This comes from a four record set that i have in my collection. There is a lot of great songs in this set and I hope you enjoy the music. I apologize for being late. The radio statio where I work and produce Big Band Bash is under going some maintenance. I should be back on schedule next week. Happy Birthday Glenn! /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30330383

Jimmy Dorsey 1930 - 1940 A Birthday Salute 03/02/2024

Jimmy Dorsey 1930 - 1940 A Birthday Salute This past week we observed a leap day, February 29th. Born on February 29, 1904 was Jimmy Dorsey. To observe his birthday and pay tribute, I went through my cds and came across two that were recorded in the years of 1939 and 1940. There are some nice recordings in this set. I wanted to do something different rather than play all his hits which I have done on other programs. So we will learn about the career of the late Jimmy Dorsey and listen to music that he recorded in 1939 and 1940. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30200118

Black History Month Part Four - Vocalists 02/27/2024

Black History Month Part Four - Vocalists We wind up our celebration of Black History Month with a look at some of the many vocalists recording during the big band era. Some of the singers on the show today include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstein, Helen Humes and many more. I hope you enjoy this selection of the many talented African-American vocalists as we conclude Black History Month. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/30139488

Black History Month Part 3 - Duke Ellington 02/16/2024

Black History Month Part 3 - Duke Ellington Duke Ellingon's band and music holds an important place among my musical heroes. I have been collecting records and cds by Ellington for many years. So I have decided to include him in our list of bands as we continue our celebration of Black History Month. I have narrowed our focus on Duke to the years of 1940 through 1941. This was a very productive period for Ellington and I am sure to play some of your favorites by the Duke. I hope you enjoy this focus on the late Duke Ellington as we continue Black History Month. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/29990693

Black History Month Part 2 - Jimmie Lunceford 02/09/2024

Black History Month Part 2 - Jimmie Lunceford We continue our celebration of Black History Month this week with a look at the big band of Jimmie Lunceford. Jimmie Lunceford's band differed from other great bands of the time because it was better known for its ensemble than for its solo work. Additionally, he was known for using a two-beat rhythm, called the Lunceford two-beat, as opposed to the standard four-beat rhythm. We'll be playing many of the Lunceford band's many hits. /episode/index/show/bigbandbash/id/29879388

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