Swing Street Radio is pleased to announce the latest addition to our weekly line up of great big band programming, Fred Hall’s ‘Swing Thing’. Each week, Fred takes you “behind the scenes in swing” on ‘Swing Thing’. Fred conducted his first interview with Helen Forrest in 1945 and subsequently recorded hundreds of artist interviews. He … Continue reading Swing Street Welcomes Fred Hall’s ‘Swing Thing’
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Dorsey Brothers Vocalist Harry Prime
Big Band vocalist Harry Prime, who recorded such hits as “Until” with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, has passed away from natural causes at his home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Prime was 97. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Harry Prime sang with many prominent big band orchestras, including Tommy Dorsey, Randy Brooks, Jack Fina, and the … Continue reading Dorsey Brothers Vocalist Harry Prime
Lena Horne: The Lady & Her Music
American Jazz Singer. Film Actress. Dancer. Civil Rights Activist. Those are just a few of the titles attributed to the late Lena Horne. Born in Brooklyn, New York in June of 1917, by the age of sixteen she was hired as a chorus girl at Harlem’s Cotton Club, performing with Adelaide Hall in ‘Cotton Club … Continue reading Lena Horne: The Lady & Her Music
Benny Goodman: ‘The King of Swing’
The year was 1935. An enthusiastic crowd of young dancers gathered at the famous Palomar Ballroom on Vermont Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Street in Downtown Los Angeles. Two nights before, the young band and its leader, Benjamin “Benny” Goodman, had played to a sold-out crowd in Oakland’s McFadden Ballroom. In the Bay Area, Goodman … Continue reading Benny Goodman: ‘The King of Swing’
The ‘Queen of Jazz’ At One Hundred
Ella Fitzgerald had an exceptional vocal range that earned her titles like ‘The Queen of Jazz’, ‘The First Lady of Song’ and ‘Lady Ella’. She was held in high esteem by her fans all over the world at the peak of the Swing and Big Band era. Numerous times did she face discrimination because of … Continue reading The ‘Queen of Jazz’ At One Hundred
Paul Whiteman – The ‘King of Jazz’
Known to millions in the ’20s & ’30s as “The King of Jazz”, Paul Whiteman was a pioneer of early Jazz music and discovered some of the most talented vocalists and musicians of the Big Band era. Born in Denver, Colorado in March of 1890, his mother was a former opera singer, and his father … Continue reading Paul Whiteman – The ‘King of Jazz’
The Glenn Miller Big Band That Failed
The year was 1935. Arranger and trombone player Glenn Miller had already experienced success in his musical career, and he was about to embark on his first “solo” career as a band leader. The Iowa native had entered the University of Colorado in 1923, but was an academic disappointment as he spent more time playing … Continue reading The Glenn Miller Big Band That Failed
Goodman Pianist & Vocalist Buddy Greco Passes
Buddy Greco, the Philadelphia-born pianist and vocalist that at one time performed with the Benny Goodman Orchestra, has died at his Las Vegas home. He was 90. Greco, who initially made his mark with a hit recording of “The Lady Is a Tramp,” toured and recorded with famed bandleader Benny Goodman, performed on dozens of … Continue reading Goodman Pianist & Vocalist Buddy Greco Passes
Singer Kay Starr Dies
Kay Starr, the popular big band and jazz singer of the late ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, known for her major hits “Wheel of Fortune” and “If You Love Me,” has died. Starr was 94. As a young girl, her talent for singing was noticed early on, in so much as she had her own 15 … Continue reading Singer Kay Starr Dies
Big Band Leader Bobby Hales Passes
Big Band legend and former Musician’s Union President Bobby Hales recently passed away at his home in Vancouver, Canada at the age of 82 from natural causes. Hales might very well be one of the last true “big band” leaders of the original Big Band era. Hales was known for his ability to pull together … Continue reading Big Band Leader Bobby Hales Passes
