https://youtu.be/jnXhehLKvN8 "Skylark" Composed by Hoagy Carmichael (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyric); arranged by Gene Kutch. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Elite on March 11, 1942 in New York. Bunny Berigan, solo trumpet, directing: Kenny Davis (lead), Bob Mansell, Fred Norton, trumpets; Max Smith, Charlie Stout, trombones; George Quinty (lead alto), Walt Mellor (alto and baritone), Red Lange, Neal Smith (tenors), saxophones; Gene Kutch, piano; Tony Espen, bass;... Continue Reading →
“‘Cause My Baby Says It’s So” (1937) – Bunny sings!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oluLjo2H6aE "'Cause My Baby Says It's So" Composed by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyric); probably arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Victor on April 1, 1937 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet and vocal, directing: Steve Lipkins, first trumpet; and Cliff (Natoli) Natalie, trumpet; Ford Leary, first... Continue Reading →
“Stompin’ at the Savoy”/Bunny Speaks (1937) – Norge Transcription
https://youtu.be/DVBpxAwls54 Composed by Edgar Sampson; arranger unknown. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra on or about March 7, 1937 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: (probable personnel) Harry Brown, Harry Greenwald, trumpets; Larry Altpeter and Ford Leary, trombones; Frank Langone, Art Drellinger, Georgie Auld, Don "Slats" Long; saxophones; Les Burness, piano; Arnold Fishkind,... Continue Reading →
“Change Partners” (1938) Bunny Berigan
"Change Partners" Composed by Irving Berlin; arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Thesaurus Transcription Service on August 8-9, 1938 in New York. Bunny Berigan, first and solo trumpet, directing: Steve Lipkins and Irving Goodman, trumpets; Nat Lobovsky and Ray Conniff, trombones; Mike Doty first alto saxophone and bass... Continue Reading →
“Flashes” (1938) Bunny Berigan and His Men
"Flashes" Composed by Bix Beiderbecke; arranged by Abe Osser. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Men for Victor on November 30, 1938 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: Irving Goodman, trumpet: Ray Conniff, trombone; Murray Williams, alto saxophone; Gus Bivona, clarinet; Georgie Auld, tenor saxophone; Joe Lippman, piano; Hank Wayland, bass: Buddy Rich, drums.... Continue Reading →
“Ebb Tide” (1937) …where did THAT come from?
"Ebb Tide" Composed by Leo Robin (lyric) and Ralph Rainger (music). Arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Victor on September 3, 1937 in New York. Bunny Berigan, first and solo trumpet, directing: Steve Lipkins and Irving Goodman, trumpets; Sonny Lee and Al George, trombones; Mike Doty and Joe... Continue Reading →
“Marie” (1937) with Tommy Dorsey – evolution of a masterpiece
"Marie" Composed by Irving Berlin; arranged(*) by Freddie Stulce. Recorded by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra for Victor on January 29, 1937 in New York. Tommy Dorsey, trombone, directing: Bob Cusumano, first trumpet; Jimmy Welch and Joe Bauer, trumpets; Les Jenkins and E.W. "Red" Bone, trombones; Freddie Stulce, first alto saxophone; Joe Dixon, alto saxophone;... Continue Reading →
“Crankshaft” and Bunny Berigan – musings on the lyric of “I Can’t Get Started”
The story: I am often amazed at the appearances today of Bunny Berigan's name and music in unexpected places. This is not a new phenomenon. In 1967, Bunny Berigan’s classic Victor recording of "I Can't Get Started" was used in a film short called The Big Shave, directed by Martin Scorsese. In the 1970s, two... Continue Reading →
“Sobbin’ Blues” (1938)
"Sobbin' Blues" Composed by Art Kassel and Vic Berton; arranged by Joe Lippman. Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra for Victor on November 22, 1938 in New York. Bunny Berigan, trumpet, directing: Johnny Napton, first trumpet; Irving Goodman, trumpet; Ray Conniff, first trombone; Bob "Brad" Jenney, trombone; Arcuiso "Gus" Bivona, first alto saxophone and... Continue Reading →