VOLUME XXIII BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1992

Doris Day along with vocals by Jack Haskell and KAY KYSER’S GREATEST HITS Gordon Drake as well as the whimsy of Butch Stone. 2 LP’s KKR or 2 Cassettes KKC If you’re a Big Band fan, this one is a must, for it captures the spirit and warmth of a band that’s emerged Purists tend to make fun of Kay Kyser’s Kollege of as one of the most solid organizations of both yesterday Musical Knowledge Orchestra, but in fact his hit and today; solid musically and philosophically. recordings and extreme popularity with the civilian public and the military during WWII was the result of 23 cuts including LEAP FROG, HOW MANY his top showmanship. The music was sometimes HEARTS HAVE YOU BROKEN, I’VE GOT MY syrupy, but never poorly performed, for his musicians LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM, A KISS TO REMEM­ were all highly skilled. BER, IN THE MOON MIST, HIGH ON A WINDY TRUMPET, LAUGHING ON THE OUTSIDE, DAY 28 cuts including: OLE’ BUTTERMILK SKY, BY DAY, FRIM FRAM SAUCE and LOVER’S WOODY WOODPECKER, SLOW BOAT TO LEAP plus others. There are memories here, but the CHINA, OLD LAMPLIGHTER, STRIP POLKA, arrangements by Frank Comstock, Skp Martin, Bob SAY IT ISN’T SO, THINKING OF YOU and others. Higgins, Sy Oliver and Les himself hold up well today, too. A suspension in time. Order from: THE GOOD MUSIC COMPANY - 352 Evelyn St - Paramus, NJ 07653-0909 1-800-538­ For the two above CD’s, write for catalog to: CIRCLE 4200. $12.98 both LP’s or Cassettes. RECORDS - 1206 Decatur Street - New Orleans, LA 70116. ( BOOKS TO CONSIDER ) ORCHESTRA FARGO, ND 11-7-40 BENNY CARTER: VJC-1019/20-2 Two CD set A LIFE IN AMERICAN MUSIC Morroe Berger, Edward Berger & James Patrick Another Ellington? Yes, it’s a prized recording of a 877 pages in two volumes dance date in Fargo when the orchestra somehow clicked. The original recordings were made by two Benny Carter is one of those musicians who have college kids before the introduction of tape or wire contributed so much to the total Big Band picture over recording, kids who gained their recording experience the years, but has never been in the front echelon so with Farm Radio. They made acetate transcriptions far as the public is concerned. He’s been all over the for their own enjoyment, and it happened this date and world over the years, and even though his alto sax these recordings have become collector’s items be­ work has been his main instrument for the past several cause of the loose yet orderly performances of such years, he’s proficient as a trumpeter and has recorded instrumentalists as , , on tenor sax, clarinet, trombone and piano. Tricky Sam Nanton, Lawrence Brown and , with vocals by and . As with so many musicians who work in the back­ ground, Benny Carter’s composing and arranging has Here’s the kicker. One of those college recordists was been an important factor in the overall development of (and is) Jack Towers, who has become known world­ music. During the past quarter-century he’s arranged wide as the man to restore old disk recordings, and and composed music for dozens of important films, as he’s the one who restored these fragile acetate record­ well as scoring several television programs including ings, somehow getting full, rich sound even though M SQUAD, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS they’ve been played hundreds of times. and CHRYSLER THEATER among others.

Order directly from: NATASHA IMPORTS - Box About $50.00 from SCARECROW PRESS, INC. - 427-Margaretville, NY 12455. $25.00plus $4.00 S&H Box 4167 -Metuchen, NJ 08840. 1-800-537-7107.

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