Brief History of Big Bands
Big Bands originated in the 1930’s and continued through the 1940’s. Playing jazz and swing, they lifted the morale during WWII. The musicians associated with these bands played trumpets, trombones and saxophones. They had a rhythm section and sometimes, singers. Each band had its own style.
Big Bands Led Grueling Lifestyle-
Many bands went on tours, sometimes lacking adequate lodging. They performed with little food or sleep. Alcohol and addictions became common.
Benny Goodman’s Band Booked into Carnegie Hall-
On January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman’s band was booked into Carnegie Hall, a first for Benny and jazz. Benny’s band featured clarinets and vocalists, Peggy Lee and Helen Ward, and Gene Krupa on the drums. The phrase “Let’s dance” was associated with Benny Goodman’s band. Benny’s was the best of big dance bands.
Gene Krupa, the Famous Drummer-
Gene Krupa became a national celebrity with Benny Goodman’s band performing the hit song, “Sing, Sing, Sing.” He went with Benny to Carnegie Hall. Krupa left the band in 1938 to find success with his own band.
Tommy Dorsey’s Band-
Tommy Dorsey left his brother, Jimmy’s band to form his own jazz and swing band and made Buddy Morrow his conductor. He had vocalists such as Frank Sinatra. “One O’clock Jump” was one of Tommy’s hits as well as “Yes, Indeed” sung by Jo Stafford.
Duke Ellington’s Band-
Duke Ellington specialized in jazz, but played blues, gospel, and other genres. He liked to call jazz “American Music.” His band made world tours and his career covered fifty years.
Paul Whiteman’s Band-
Paul Whiteman’s band was popular in 1920’s. He shares title “King of Jazz” with Louis Armstrong. He asked George Gershwin to write “Rhapsody in Blue” making it his orchestra’s signature. He featured Bing Crosby in “Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys.”
Glenn Miller, Band Leader, Received First Gold Record-
On February 10, 1942, Glenn Miller, a band leader and trombonist, received the first gold record, ever, for selling 1,200, 000 records of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
Glenn Miller’s New Band in U.S. Army Air Corps-
Glenn Miller, band leader, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was promoted to Major. He entertained more than a million troops during WWII with his newly formed military band. Some said the band was better than his civilian band. He was missing in action on December 15, 1944.
Jimmy Dorsey’s Band-
Jimmy Dorsey’s band featured vocalists such as Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly. “Shoo Shoo Baby” was popular. Bing Crosby recorded “Pennies from Heaven,“ and Bob Crosby sang “What a Difference a Day Makes.” Jimmy Dorsey won a gold record for “So Rare,” the most popular song by a big band during beginning of the Rock-and-Roll Era.
Harry James’s Band-
Harry James was known for his trumpet. His band featured vocalists such as Dick Haynes and Helen Forrest. His conductor was Fred Radke. Harry James was married to Betty Grable, the movie actress and pin-up girl during WWII.
Kay Keyser’s Band-
Kay Keyser was a popular bandleader and vocalist of 1930’s and 1940’s. His swing music featured vocalists such as Frank Sinatra and Dinah shore. . He had a successful radio show called Kay Keyer’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge. He was the first bandleader to perform for the troops. His band appeared in motion pictures such as Stage Door Canteen.
Vaughn Monroe’s Band-
Vaughn Monroe was a bandleader and vocalist for his own band. He was famous for his rich baritone voice and for playing the trumpet. The band’s signature tune was “Racing with the Moon.” Vaughn had a radio program called Camel Caravan
Guy Lombardo’s Band-
Guy Lombardo’s band originated in Canada. He brought the band to the U.S. and named it “The Royal Canadians.” He used the slogan “the sweetest music this side of heaqven.” Guy sold more than 100 million records. For forty-eight New Years, the band played “Auld Lang Syne”
Big Bands originated in the 1930’s and continued through the 1940’s. Playing jazz and swing, they lifted the morale during WWII. The musicians associated with these bands played trumpets, trombones and saxophones. They had a rhythm section and sometimes, singers. Each band had its own style.
Big Bands Led Grueling Lifestyle-
Many bands went on tours, sometimes lacking adequate lodging. They performed with little food or sleep. Alcohol and addictions became common.
On January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman’s band was booked into Carnegie Hall, a first for Benny and jazz. Benny’s band featured clarinets and vocalists, Peggy Lee and Helen Ward, and Gene Krupa on the drums. The phrase “Let’s dance” was associated with Benny Goodman’s band. Benny’s was the best of big dance bands.
Gene Krupa, the Famous Drummer-
Gene Krupa became a national celebrity with Benny Goodman’s band performing the hit song, “Sing, Sing, Sing.” He went with Benny to Carnegie Hall. Krupa left the band in 1938 to find success with his own band.
Tommy Dorsey left his brother, Jimmy’s band to form his own jazz and swing band and made Buddy Morrow his conductor. He had vocalists such as Frank Sinatra. “One O’clock Jump” was one of Tommy’s hits as well as “Yes, Indeed” sung by Jo Stafford.
Duke Ellington specialized in jazz, but played blues, gospel, and other genres. He liked to call jazz “American Music.” His band made world tours and his career covered fifty years.
Paul Whiteman’s band was popular in 1920’s. He shares title “King of Jazz” with Louis Armstrong. He asked George Gershwin to write “Rhapsody in Blue” making it his orchestra’s signature. He featured Bing Crosby in “Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys.”
Glenn Miller, Band Leader, Received First Gold Record-
On February 10, 1942, Glenn Miller, a band leader and trombonist, received the first gold record, ever, for selling 1,200, 000 records of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”
Glenn Miller’s New Band in U.S. Army Air Corps-
Glenn Miller, band leader, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was promoted to Major. He entertained more than a million troops during WWII with his newly formed military band. Some said the band was better than his civilian band. He was missing in action on December 15, 1944.
Jimmy Dorsey’s Band-
Jimmy Dorsey’s band featured vocalists such as Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly. “Shoo Shoo Baby” was popular. Bing Crosby recorded “Pennies from Heaven,“ and Bob Crosby sang “What a Difference a Day Makes.” Jimmy Dorsey won a gold record for “So Rare,” the most popular song by a big band during beginning of the Rock-and-Roll Era.
Harry James was known for his trumpet. His band featured vocalists such as Dick Haynes and Helen Forrest. His conductor was Fred Radke. Harry James was married to Betty Grable, the movie actress and pin-up girl during WWII.
Kay Keyser’s Band-
Kay Keyser was a popular bandleader and vocalist of 1930’s and 1940’s. His swing music featured vocalists such as Frank Sinatra and Dinah shore. . He had a successful radio show called Kay Keyer’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge. He was the first bandleader to perform for the troops. His band appeared in motion pictures such as Stage Door Canteen.
Vaughn Monroe’s Band-
Vaughn Monroe was a bandleader and vocalist for his own band. He was famous for his rich baritone voice and for playing the trumpet. The band’s signature tune was “Racing with the Moon.” Vaughn had a radio program called Camel Caravan
Guy Lombardo’s Band-
Guy Lombardo’s band originated in Canada. He brought the band to the U.S. and named it “The Royal Canadians.” He used the slogan “the sweetest music this side of heaqven.” Guy sold more than 100 million records. For forty-eight New Years, the band played “Auld Lang Syne”