Will Bradley and His Orchestra Repeat

Will Bradley and His Orchestra Repeat

Author: Frank Miller July 12, 2025 Duration: 1:00:13
I'm back from vacation and have some new programs under way. Here is the first, spotlighting one of my favorite big bands. Will Bradley was a great trombonist who worked with several name orchestras when he was persuaded to start up his own orchestra in 1939. They had an exciting pianist in Freddie Slack and sperked an interest in boogie woogie with their hit Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar. I hope you enjoy this salute to a great big band leader and musician.

Frank Miller's Big Band Bash is a deep, melodic dive into the world of swing and the larger-than-life sound that defined a generation. This isn't just a playlist of classic tunes; it's an exploration of the stories behind them. Each episode focuses on a specific thread from the big band tapestry, taking you from the ballrooms of the 1930s through the post-war innovations of the 1950s. You might spend an hour with the intricate arrangements of a particular orchestra, or explore a broader theme like the role of vocalists or the evolution of the jazz solo within these iconic groups. The podcast is built on a foundation of respect for the musicians-the bandleaders, sidemen, and arrangers whose skill and personality brought this music to life. Frank guides you through it all with a curator's ear, offering context and insight that makes the listening experience richer. Put simply, this is for anyone who wants to understand the energy and artistry of the era, to hear more than just the familiar hits and discover the depth within the genre. So, whether you're a lifelong devotee or just curious about where that irresistible rhythm comes from, Big Band Bash provides your regular dose of brass, reeds, and rhythm. The goal is to share the legacy and, yes, absolutely get your feet tapping with this timeless, powerful music.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Big Band Bash
Podcast Episodes
Record Labels Part 1 - Decca Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
When I was a youngster my dad bought a three record set called The Big Bands. In it were songs that went along with a book by George T. Simon. Each record was devoted to a particular record label. The three labels were D…
Woody Herman - A 100th Birthday Salute Part 2 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:57
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 100th birthday. We continue our celebration of his birthday with some of his hits from the 1940's. These are some of my favorit…
Woody Herman - A 100th Birthday Salute Part 1 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:36
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 100th birthday. To celebrate this milestone we will be playing some of his early recordings made between the years of 1939 and…
Classic Artie Shaw Bluebird and Victor Sessions Part 2 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:26
I am continuing this week with part two of Classic Artie Shaw Bluebird and Victor Sessions which has selected cuts from the Mosaic Record Company's eight disc set of the same name. The sound quality is great and most of…
Classic Artie Shaw Bluebird and Victor Sessions Part 1 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:29
In 2011 I bought two 8 disc sets from the Mosaic Record Company. The first was dedicated to the Columbia sides of Benny Goodman which I presented a show on a few weeks ago. The second is what our show today is about. Thi…
Classic Columbia and Okeh BG Orchestra Sessions Part 2 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:07
This week I am going to continue with part two of the Mosaic box set, The Classic Columbia and Okeh Benny Goodman Orchestra Session 1939 -1957. These are many of the recordings that Benny made during those years and thes…
Classic Columbia and Okeh BG Orchestra Sessions Part 1 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
This week we will be listening to selections from a Mosaic Record Company set that I have called the Classic Columbia and Okeh Benny Goodman Orchestra Sessions. This is part one of a show I did back in 2012 and repeated…
Metronome Magazine Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:23
This is part two of a program I did on Metronome Magazine. In the issue, there was a section devoted to record reviews. In part one, I started to play many of the records that they were reviewing. We continue with more r…
Benny Goodman A Birthday Salute 2 Remotes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:42
May 30, 1909 is the birthday of bandleader and clarinetist Benny Goodman. Instead of playing some of his hits which I've done in past programs, I would like to play two radio remotes. These were recorded Oct 23 and 27, 1…
Metronome Magazine Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
When I was in high school, my dad knew of my interest in the big bands. While out at his job, he found someone that was getting rid of several issues of Metronome Magazine. I still have them and I thought it would be int…