Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra: "Nola & Other Piano Instrumentals"

This LP was released in 1959,

when Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra

had already been household names

for nearly forty years.

"Nola," written by Felix Arndt,

was Vincent Lopez' theme song

from his earliest days on radio.

Vincent Lopez' orchestra was among

the first true "big band/swing" ensembles.

Here's a nice "soundie" compilation from 1939:

Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra with Betty Hutton

Read more about Vincent Lopez HERE.

Benny Goodman: "The Great Benny Goodman"

Released in 1956,

this is a terrific compilation album,

part of Columbia's commemoration

of 25 years of recording Benny Goodman.

Among others, this recording also includes

Harry James, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton.

Si Zentner: "Presenting..."

Released in 1962,

this is one of at least thirty (30) LPs

recorded by Si Zentner,

a great contributor to the Big Band Sound.

Read more about Si Zentner HERE.

Benny Goodman: "B. G. in Hi-Fi"

Released in 1954.

This is a wonderful collection of Benny Goodman's tunes.

For those who might not actually know this

"Hi-Fi" was a very popular term back in the 1950s-'60s.

It stood for "high fidelity" which was a reference to audio recording and playback devices,

for the average consumer usually a phonograph turntable

connected to "high-end" speakers housed in an attractive wooden cabinets or "console."

The "hi-fi" was a standard piece of furniture in many American homes.

Anyway, Benny Goodman's stellar music-making

should not be upstaged by the playback equipment!

Read more about Benny Goodman HERE.

Woody Herman: "Blowin' Up A Storm"

....speaking of Woody Herman....

This LP was released in 1966.

It is a compilation of tracks

recorded MUCH earlier.

Woody Herman's story is fascinating.

He stayed active throughout his life,

and he experimented with various styles and instruments

not normally associated with Jazz, Big Band, Swing, etc.

Read more about Woody Herman HERE and HERE.

Art Direction: Woody Woodward

Cover Photo: David Dooley

Ray Anthony: "Golden Horn"

Released in 1955.

If you ask an average American these days

to list "famous" Big Band Leaders,

Ray Anthony is not generally

a name that will top the list.

(Sorry, Ray!)

Folks would gravitate to Glenn Miller (whose band Ray played in),

Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Harry James, Les Brown...

Ray Anthony fully deserves to be among them!!

Ray is still slingin' the tunes, too!

Read about him HERE.