Big Band Bash

Big Band Bash

Author: Frank Miller Language: English Episodes: 50
Frank Miller hosts Big Band Bash, a journey into the vibrant world of swing and the cultural moment it defined. This isn't just a playlist of classics; it's a deep and affectionate look at the music, the personalities, and the stories that made the big band era so unforgettable. Each episode focuses on a specific thread, perhaps unpacking the legacy of a legendary bandleader like Duke Ellington or Glenn Miller, or exploring a particular theme that shaped the sound from the 1930s through the 1950s. You'll hear the iconic recordings, of course, but you'll also get the context behind them-the rivalries, the innovations, and the social history that this music both reflected and inspired. Tune in to this podcast for a richly detailed portrait of an era, where the driving rhythm of a brass section could lift a nation's spirit. Frank's passion is evident in every carefully curated episode, aiming not just to inform but to make your feet tap along to the timeless energy of the great bands. It's a must-listen for music lovers and history buffs alike, offering a fresh appreciation for the artistry that continues to resonate decades later.
Episodes
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…
Remotes From WW2 Part Two (Artie Shaw) Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:44
This week I am continuing with part two of Big Band Remotes from World War 2 with two remotes from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands series. At the same time, however, I am having a birthday salute to a favorite band…
Remotes From WW2 Part One Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
On this week's show I would like to honor a request. A listener asked for some big band remotes that took place during World War 2. Most of the remotes I have during that era are from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Band…
Bob Chester and Teddy Powell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
This week we will be listening to and learning about two bands that I've never recently covered before: Bob Chester and Teddy Powell. This is a rebroadcast of a show I produced back in 2012. Bob had a great band that was…
The Casa Loma Orchestra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:51
This week we take a look back at the music and career of Glenn Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra. As an orchestra they predated Benny Goodman and the start of the swing era. They had some excellent musicians and had a few…
1938-1939 Time Life - The Swing Era Part 2 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
This is part two of the Time Life records set I started last week. These records were originally recorded in 1971 by Billy May and His Orchestra/Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra. Those were recreations featuring many of t…
1938-1939 Time Life - The Swing Era Part 1 Repeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:30
This is another volume in Time Life records ambitious project called "The Swing Era". It was a ten volume set with three records included in each volume. Today we turn to the years of 1938-1939. The songs were rerecorded…