Count Basie - 1939

Count Basie - 1939

Author: Frank Miller September 2, 2023 Duration: 59:19
August 24, 1904 is the birthday of the late bandleader William Count Basie. To celebrate his birthday, I have pulled out a program I produced back in 2013. I decided to focus on the year of 1939 and play many of the songs recorded by the Basie band during that year. I am a big fan of the Basie band as my father had a couple of his records and as I grew older I began to explore the history and recordings of the man known as Count Basie. In addition to Basie, there were those great sidemen of his to spotlight. Musicians like Lester Young, Helen Humes, Buck Clayton, Dickie Wells, and Jo Jones make this a really great year for the Count. This is a good program and I hope you enjoy the music as well as a brief biography of the William Bill Basie known in the big band circle as Count.

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
Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
March 01, 1904 is the birthday of the late Glenn Miller. Join me on this program as we celebrate his birthday. I've picked out some recordings that are very pretty mixed with some of his hits. In addition we'll be listen…
Black History Month Sampler Part Four [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:29
We conclude our celebration of Black History Month this week with a look at the big band of Jimmie Lunceford. Jimmie Lunceford's band differed from other great bands of the time because it was better known for its ensemb…
Black History Month Sampler Part Three [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
We wind up our celebration of Black History Month with some more assorted artists. The performers today are ones that I didn't get to on the previous shows. Some of the artists on the show today include Charlie Christian…
Black History Month Sampler Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:43
We continue our celebration of Black History Month this week with more assorted bands and vocalists. Some of the artists on the show today include Ella Fitzgerald, Earl Fatha Hines, Duke Ellington, Ivy Anderson, Roy Eldr…
Black History Month Sampler Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
We start our celebration of Black History Month this week. Rather than focus on any one band or bandleader I have put together a sampler of bands. We start with the band of Fletcher Henderson. Other bands heard today wil…
Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
January 16th 1938 is the date of the Benny Goodman concert at Carnegie Hall. This was the first concert given in the respectable concert venue by a swing band. We are very fortunate that the concert was recorded. Since t…
Memories of the Swing Era Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
Hello everyone. I have to correct myself. There were four parts to this series. So, this week we are going to conclude the series from the Reader's Digest Set, Memories of the Swing Era. Back in the 1960's and 70's Reade…
Les Brown Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Hello everyone. This is part two of a program I did on the great bandleader, Les Brown. Les passed away January 4, 2001. Since we just passed the anniversary of his death I would like to play a program that I produced tw…
Les Brown Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
As we return from the holidays, I want to feature the big band of Les Brown. Les passed away January 4, 2001. Since we just passed the anniversary of his death I would like to play a program that I produced two years ago…
Martha Tilton - A Birthday Salute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:58
This week we pay a birthday salute to Martha Tilton who was born on November 14th, 1915. After singing with the quartet Three Hits and a Miss, she joined the Myer Alexander Chorus on Benny Goodman's radio show, Camel Car…