Category: Artist Impact

Trombonist and band leader Tommy Dorsey (or simply “TD” as many of his friends called him) was arguably one of the most important musical ‘influencers’ of the Big Band Era. Known to many as the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”, he gave a start to many fine vocalists including Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes and the Pied … Continue reading That “Sentimental Gentleman” of Swing

Vocalist. Actress. Ambassador. An American Treasure. That, in part, describes the life and talent of singer Pearl Bailey. Born in Newport News, Virginia at the end of World War One, her father was a pastor and her brother Bill a professional tap dancer. From an early age, Pearl had a talent for singing and often … Continue reading Pearl Bailey – An American Treasure

Surrounded by shelves containing vintage recordings and a desk filled with various radio broadcasting apparatus, Craig Roberts gestured toward a stack of 78RPM records, “there sits some rare Ella Fitzgerald recordings for our 100th birthday tribute to the Queen of Jazz!”, he said with obvious pride. Roberts, who says his age is “the same as … Continue reading African-American Jazz & Swing Artists during Black History Month

He was a man with an explosive temper. He had no ability to read music. His tirades were infamous among the musicians who played with him. And yet, he is considered one of the most talented and prolific musicians of the 20th century, and is most cited as ‘inspiration’ for successful drummers today. Billed as … Continue reading The Man With A Drum- Buddy Rich

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

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’

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

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 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

Considered the “World Ambassador” of the Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning was born on May 26, 1914 and died on April 27, 2009, and is considered one of the most celebrated Lindy Hopper of all time. The Lindy Hop was birthed in Harlem in the ‘20s and ‘30s, and became wildly popular across the nation. Manning was born … Continue reading Frankie Manning & The Lindy Hop