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
Memories of the Swing Era Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
Hello. This week we are going to continue with more selections from the Reader's Digest Set, Memories of the Swing Era. I tried to put together a varied show full of your favorite bands. So join me as we bring back Memor…
Memories of the Swing Era Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
I recently came across a set of records in a Box Set from Reader's Digest Records called Memories of the Swing Era. There were several compilation sets from Reader's Digest that were released and I am fortunate to have t…
Songs by Anita O'Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:35
This week I am returning to a program I produced a few years ago. It was a program to honor a listener's request. It had been awhile since I featured the singing of Anita O'Day so I put together this program of some of h…
Bunny Berigan - A Birthday Salute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
Born on November 2, 1908, this trumpeter, despite the brevity of his career and his all-too-short life, remains one of the most compelling trumpet players in the history of music. Do you know who it is? If I said his ini…
64 Assorted Songs Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:35
Greetings everyone. This week we conclude this series with part four of a potpourri show as I go through my collection by first names. I have quite a collection of bands so I hope you enjoy this assortment of bands and s…
64 Assorted Songs Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Well hello everyone. This week we continue with part three of a potpourri show as I go through my collection by first names. I have quite a collection of bands so I hope you enjoy this assortment of bands and songs on pa…
64 Assorted Songs Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:36
Well hello everyone. This week we continue with part two of a potpourri show as I go through my collection by first names. I have quite a collection of bands so I hope you enjoy this assortment of bands and songs on part…
64 Assorted Songs Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Hello everyone. While going through my collection of big bands on my computer I have them stored in folders starting with their first name then last name. I have done shows where I play artists in alphabetical order star…
The Jerry Atkins Collection - Part Three [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:25
This week I am going to conlude the Jerry Atkins Collection series with a couple of albums each by Buddy Bregman, Stan Kenton and Gene Krupa. Jerry was the man responsible for starting my career on public radio in Texark…
The Jerry Atkins Collection - Part Two Woody Herman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Hello everyone. This is part two of a series I call the Jerry Atkins Collection. Jerry had a show on Saturdays on the radio station I work at called The Enjoyment of Jazz. He played recordings from his massive record col…