Bob Chester and Teddy Powell

Bob Chester and Teddy Powell

Author: Frank Miller April 19, 2025 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 heavily influenced by Glenn Miller. Teddy's band had a great start in New York but had trouble sustaining that popularity outside of the Northeast. These are the original recordings by both bands.

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.
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…