The Apex of the Big Band Era
Restored, Reassembled, and Revealed
Last year, Mosaic released a massive 11-disc set of small group jazz recordings from the V-Disc program — the World War II project that sent music discs to military bases overseas while the domestic music industry was enduring a recording ban over performance royalties.
We’re thrilled to present that set’s counterpart, the equally weighty 10-CD set featuring Big Bands. Not only is this music most listeners today have never heard, it’s also music from the apex of the Big Band era, when bands were at their peak.
“Classic V-Disc Big Band Sessions” includes music by Woody Herman, Chubby Jackson, Les Brown, Charlie Barnet, Stan Kenton, Boyd Raeburn, Kay Kyser, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Harry James, Claude Thornhill, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Yank Lawson, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford, Don Redman, and others. And we’re not talking about a cut here and there.
There are 24 tracks by Basie alone. 16 by Woody Herman. Buddy Rich contributed 12. The set includes some of Captain Glenn Miller’s last recordings with his celebrated Army Air Force Band. And in addition to each Dorsey brother getting his own spotlight, there’s an added treat in that they were able to put their feud aside to record as a combined band, featuring Charlie Shavers, Jess Stacy, Buddy Rich and others.
The Best Possible Sound: Thanks to our wide network of meticulous collectors around the world we have been able to obtain mint condition V-Discs. And not only did we obtain the original V-Disc 78s but lacquer discs and glass masters that were lovingly preserved. Even the re-recording process was special. Those original sources were professionally cleaned and transferred by Swan Studios using a variety of styli to capture the best signal possible from the grooves.
Mosaic’s Huge V-Disc Project Continues
With Big Band Music You’ve Likely Never Heard
If you’re thinking, “Isn’t a lot of this available on the internet or from public domain sources,” the answer is no, not in this form. Other collections have been haphazardly assembled, often random and incomplete. Documentation has been nearly non-existent, certainly nothing approaching Mosaic’s level of scholarly analysis and appreciation. And to top it off Mosaic’s box set is respectful and collectable, featuring a gorgeous booklet and rare photographs.
As for the music, other collections have drawn from degraded and inferior copies, while Mosaic’s come from, truly, the best possible sources. Thanks to our wide network of meticulous collectors around the world we have been able to obtain mint condition V-Discs from Karl Pearson, Jeff Friedman (who now possesses the V-Discs from the collection of legendary collector Borris Rose) and the Institute of Jazz Studies which has in their historic collection rare test pressings from George T. Simon who produced a number of these V-Discs. And not only did we obtain the original V-Disc 78s but lacquer discs and glass masters that were lovingly preserved.
Even the re-recording process was special. Those original sources were professionally cleaned and transferred by Swan Studios using a variety of styli to capture the best signal possible from the grooves.
In every way, we’ve worked to respect the music and artists, as well as our fans who rely on our reputation for quality.
Breaking through the ban
If you are unfamiliar with V-Discs, they were a World War II solution for maintaining morale among the troops. Created exclusively for soldiers and other military personnel stationed overseas, V-Discs served up contemporary recordings, radio broadcasts, and sessions cut especially for V-Discs. Much of the music was new, and in many cases, innovative. Free from restrictions their label contracts imposed, musicians could play in combinations that could never have happened on commercial recordings. The discs were unbreakable, so they could travel and get passed around. And the larger disc size allowed for longer sessions, giving composers and musicians more freedom of expression.
The records were supposed to be destroyed after the war. Fortunately, many were not.
While the V-Disc program presented music of all genres, including country, classical, and marches, Big Bands were always the most heavily requested. The war years were the heyday of Big Bands. Back home, ramped-up production during World War II boosted U.S. employment and wages. For the first time since the onset of the Depression, people had money in their pockets. They wanted to go out dancing, and bandleaders could afford to pay the larger ensembles that were often the best backdrop for dancing. Big Bands surged and so did their artistry.
Woody Herman’s finest wartime music
Listening now to Woody Herman’s V-Disc recordings, it’s clear they are among his finest from the era. True to the spirit of the V-Disc project, these are joyous recordings featuring a version of Herman’s Herd that included musicians Pete Candoli, Sonny Berman, Flip Phillips, Bill Harris, Ralph Burns, Chubby Jackson, Davey Tough and vocalist Frances Wayne.
The Les Brown sessions feature 22-year-old singer Doris Day, whose smoky, sexy approach predates her brighter, poppier approach when she hit it big. The Charlie Barnet session is a wonderful showcase for Kay Starr, also 22 at the time. Her version of “Sharecroppin’ Blues” on this set is by far the best of a song she recorded numerous times. Also featured on the Barnet sides are Barney Kessell and Dodo Marmarosa, who really make the band jump.
Boyd Raeburn’s set featured the very first recorded version of the Dizzy Gillespie anthem, “A Night In Tunisia.” While Raeburn never achieved broad commercial success, it’s clear from these performances his modern sound pre-dated the work of Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. As for Gene Krupa’s dates, his “band that swings with strings” featured his tenor saxophone discovery, Charlie Ventura.
Initially a baby vaudevillian, Buddy Rich had played with Joe Marsala, Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey when he got a chance to lead his own band. One of their first gigs ever was for a V-Disc session. Over the span of his V-Disc recordings, Rich would run through three entirely different line-ups but a highlight of these sessions is the artistry of the young tenor star Allen Eager who is featured heavily here.
Basie is heard with Jimmy Rushing, Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Buddy Tate, Don Byas and Harry Edison, along with the “All-American Rhythm Section” of Freddie Green, Walter Page and Jo Jones. A magnificent period for Basie and the band is captured brilliantly on these rare sessions.
An unexpected reunion
The Dorseys were able to perform together thanks to their hot feud beginning to simmer, as well as the fact that V-Discs could allow RCA and Decca artists to perform side by side. A highlight of Jimmy Dorsey’s own session is “Grand Central Getaway” by Dizzy Gillespie, showing that Dorsey was happy to dip his toe into the Be Bop stream. Tommy Dorsey’s set includes two V-Disc recordings that were never issued. Soloists include Charlie Shavers and Buddy DeFranco.
A real highlight is the AAF Band assembled by Glenn Miller. He produced hundreds of tunes for the war effort, including three sessions recorded exclusively for V-Discs with this organization. His “St. Louis Blues March” is likely the most famous V-Disc of all time. It is by every estimation a jazz masterwork.
Many other sessions feature sidemen of famous leaders getting a shot in the spotlight, and across all the recordings are many prominent sidemen of the era far too numerous to mention.
The Mosaic Presentation
Our set is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire these recordings in a deluxe Mosaic presentation. The 10-CD collection includes 214 recordings, with eight sides previously unissued. Every single track received a boost in clarity and quality thanks to our best-in-class reproduction process. Our massive booklet features the most accurate and up-to-date discography available, rare photographs, and an essay and analysis by Big Band expert and collector David Weiner.
As always, the release is strictly limited. When we’ve sold them, the music will never be available again in this form. Please place your order today to avoid missing out.
Meticulous Audio Restoration
Once again, the team at Swan Studios, Andreas Meyer, Nancy Conforti and Shane Carroll, have worked magic. The process of taking older recordings and reducing the surface noise without sacrificing the quality of the music is exactly what was accomplished with our latest offering; Classic V-Disc Small Group Jazz Sessions.
The process begins with finding the cleanest copies of the original 78 rpm records and even the original glass master discs to be transferred. Mosaic Records obtained these by throwing out a large net to be cast out to collectors all over the world who came to lend their gems out to us. Once received, the discs are professionally cleaned (via a Keith Monk machine) and then a collection of various styli (needles), each one varied in depth to capture the most signal from the walls of the grooves. They also center the recordings, make sure the pitch is correct and then once the transfer is made, Andreas and the team restore the music from the electronic file captured from the transfer.
Woody Herman and His Orchestra
Apple Honey
Without a doubt, many of Woody Herman’s finest wartime performances came out of his V-Disc work in 1944-45. Classic Herman Herd specialties like Apple Honey, Yeah, Man!, Ah, Your Father’s Mustache and Red Top were first unveiled in these extended V-Disc efforts. Vocalist Frances Wayne was lovingly showcased, along with star soloists Pete Candoli and Sonny Berman on trumpet, Flip Phillips on tenor, trombonist Bill Harris, pianist/arranger Ralph Burns, bassist Chubby Jackson and sensational drummer Davey Tough. Most of the arrangements were penned by Burns, Neal Hefti and Eddie Sauter.
Woody is heavily featured on clarinet, alto sax and vocals. How could any band top that lineup?
Buddy Rich and Band
Four Rich Brothers
Buddy Rich made his adult jazz debut at 19 with the bands of Joe Marsala, Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey. When he got out of the Marine Corps in 1944, he rejoined Dorsey for a while before forming his own unit at the end of 1945.
One of their first gigs was a V-Disc session supervised by Tony Janak. Four Rich Brothers is Jimmy Giuffre’s slightly updated reworking of his own composition, made famous by Woody Herman’s classic Columbia record. Giuffre and alto saxist Hal McKusick contribute solos, as Buddy brings it to a joyous close.
Sam Donahue and The Navy Dance Band
Moten Swing
Tenor saxist/arranger Sam Donahue cut his teeth with the bands of Sonny Burke, Gene Krupa and Harry James before leading his own group. When he was drafted in 1942, he was chosen for the Artie Shaw Navy Rangers Band that toured the South Pacific. Suffering from illness and exhaustion, Artie was discharged in early 1944 and Donahue assumed leadership. In a September 1944 “battle of the bands” in London with the Glenn Miller AAF organization, most of the attendees gave the top prize to Donahue and his men.
Returning to the States in the spring of 1945, George Simon quickly arranged two lengthy V-Disc sessions for Donahue, calling them “one of the most magnificent bands of all time, recorded for posterity on V-Discs.”
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Kansas City Stride
Happily, Count Basie was a big booster of the V-Disc program and good friends with producers George Simon and Morty Palitz. This was nearly the last hurrah for the “All-American Rhythm Section” of Basie, Freddie Green, Walter Page and Jo Jones. Page would soon be gone, replaced at first by Rodney Richardson.
Dicky Wells’ Kansas City Stride starts as a feature for the leader’s piano, then come solos by Jimmy Powell (alto sax), Rudy Rutherford (clarinet) and a welcome Lester Young chorus, during his sadly brief wartime reunion with Basie.
Limited Edition: 5000
(#284-10 CDs)
This set is strictly limited in its release and will someday be unavailable. Please don’t delay in ordering this comprehensive set of some of the music’s most reliably captivating artists.
CLASSIC V-DISC BIG BAND JAZZ SESSIONS
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DISC I
WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
1. Red Top (A) 4:34
(Woody Herman)
2. Frances Wayne spoken introduction (A) 0:15
3. Happiness Is Jes’ A Thing Called Joe (A) 4:21
(E. Y. Harburg-H. Arlen)
4. Jones Beachhead [Half Past Jumpin’ Time] (A) 3:28
(Neal Hefti)
5. I Can’t Put My Arms Around A Memory (A) 5:18
(D. Ellington-D. George)
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WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
6. Herman spoken introduction (B) 0:11
7. Apple Honey (B) 4:33
(Woody Herman)
8. There Are No Wings On A Foxhole (B) 2:43
(Irving Berlin)
9. Time Waits For No One (B) 3:53
(C. Friend-C. Tobias)
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WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
10. Golden Wedding (C) 3:03
(Jean Gabriel-Marie)
11. I’ve Got The World On A String (C) 3:45
(H. Arlen-T. Koehler)
12. Yeah Man! (C) 2:18
(Segure-Schoen-Hardy)
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WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
13. Herman spoken introduction (D) 0:11
14. Ah, Your Father’s Mustache (D) 5:52
(B. Harris-W. Herman)
15. Lover Man (D) 4:52
(Davis-Ramirez-Sherman)
16. Herman spoken introduction (D) 0:11
17. Don’t Worry ’Bout That Mule (D) 3:43
(Davis-Groaner-Moore-Stewart)
18. 125th Street Prophet (D) 4:10
(P. Moore-W. Herman)
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“CHUBBY” JACKSON’S MAD MOB
19. Martha Raye introduction (E) 0:10
20. He’s Funny That Way (-1) (E) 4:30
(C. Daniels-R. Whiting)
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WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
21. Jones Beachhead [Half Past Jumpin’ Time] (alt tk.) (A) 3:35
(Neal Hefti)
22. I Can’t Put My Arms Around A Memory (alt tk.) (A) 6:05
(D. Ellington-D. George)
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“CHUBBY” JACKSON’S MAD MOB
23. He’s Funny That Way (-2) (E) 4:40
(C. Daniels-R. Whiting)
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DISC II
“CHUBBY” JACKSON’S MAD MOB
1. Meshugah [They Went That-A-Way] (E) 5:54
(Pete Candoli)
2. Secunda (E) 5:53
(unidentified)
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LES BROWN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
3. Brown spoken introduction (F) 0:10
4. Mexican Hat Dance (F) 3:10
(trad.)
5. Moonglow (F) 2:57
(Hudson-DeLange-Mills)
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LES BROWN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
6. Leap Frog (theme with Brown intro) (G) 0:49
(L. Corday-J. Garland)
7. Flip Lid (G) 3:46
(Frank Comstock)
8. Prelude To A Kiss (G) 3:42
(Ellington-Gordon-Mills)
9. Okay For Baby (G) 2:51
(Benny Carter)
10. Brown and Day spoken introduction (G) 0:18
11. Take Me In Your Arms (G) 3:58
(A. Markush-M. Parrish)
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CHARLIE BARNET AND HIS ORCHESTRA
12. Redskin Rhumba (H) 0:55
(Charlie Barnet)
13. Pompton Turnpike (H) 3:31
(W. Osborne-D. Rogers)
14. Sharecroppin’ Blues (H) 4:03
(R, Mayer-W. Robison)
15. Skyliner (H) 3:00
(Charlie Barnet)
16. Blue Skies (H) 2:29
(Irving Berlin)
17. Straighten Up And Fly Right (H) 3:07
(Nat Cole)
18. Drop Me Off In Harlem (H) 1:53
(D. Ellington-N. Kenny)
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MAL HALLETT AND HIS ORCHESTRA
19. Boston Tea Party (theme with intro) (I) 0:46
(Frank Ryerson)
20. Exactly Like You (I) 3:54
(D. Fields-J. McHugh)
21. After All That Gin (I) 4:54
(Bud Estes)
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CLYDE LUCAS AND HIS ORCHESTRA
22. Ten Days With Baby (J) 2:52
(M. Gordon-J. Monaco)
23. Miss You (J) 1:29
(Charles Tobias)
24. Dance With A Dolly (J) 3:13
(Shand-Eaton-Leader)
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TED FIORITO AND HIS ORCHESTRA
25. Can’t Get Stuff In Your Cuff (K) 2:28
(S. Oliver-S. Cahn)
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CHARLIE BARNET AND HIS ORCHESTRA
26. Skyliner (alt) (H) 3:02
(Charlie Barnet)
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DISC III
HAL MCINTYRE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
1. McIntyre spoken introduction (L) 0:10
2. Paper Doll (L) 2:01
(Johnny S. Black)
3. The Sheep In The Meadow (L) 3:00
(trad.)
4. Rockin’ And Ridin’ (L) 2:55
(Danny Hurd)
5. If You Please (L) 3:13
(J. Burke-J. Van Heusen)
6. My Ideal (L) 3:18
(Robin-Whiting-Chase)
7. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (L) 3:39
(D. Ellington-S. Russell)
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HAL MCINTYRE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
8. Tabby The Cat (M) 3:01
(H. Dickinson-H. Giveling)
9. Hymn To A Goat (M) 3:10
(Barney Koppich)
10. Cool As A Fool (M) 2:22
(Barney Koppich)
11. Singin’ In The Rain (M) 3:08
(N. Brown-A. Freed)
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STAN KENTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
12. That’s The Stuff You Gotta Watch (N) 2:16
(Sissle-Battle-Ram-Meredith)
13. Southern Scandal (N) 3:08
(Stan Kenton)
14. Ride On (N) 2:23
(Skeets Tolbert)
15. I’m A Shy Guy (N) 2:54
(Nat Cole)
16. Kenton and Christy spoken introduction (N) 0:25
17. I Never Thought I’d Sing The Blues (N) 3:59
(F. Bean-E. Stone)
18. Are You Livin’ Old Man (N) 2:29
(Evans-Higginbotham-Silver)
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BOYD RAEBURN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
19. Raeburn Spoken Introduction (O) 0:08
20. A Night In Tunisia (O) 3:28
(D. Gillespie-F. Paparelli)
21. Who Started Love? (O) 3:02
(J. Segal-?. Mortimer)
22. March Of The Boyds (O) 2:38
(Boyd Raeburn)
23. Two Spoos In An Igloo (O) 2:29
(Boyd Raeburn)
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BOYD RAEBURN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
24. Begin The Beguine (P) 3:37
(Cole Porter)
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KAY KYSER AND HIS ORCHESTRA
25. Always (Q) 2:35
(Irving Berlin)
26. Bye Bye Blues (Q) 1:57
(Bennett-Gray-Hamm-Lown)
27. Shine On Harvest Moon (Q) 2:55
(Bayes-Norworth-Richmond)
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DOTTIE REED WITH JOHNNY BLOWERS AND GANG
28. Born To Be Blue (R) 5:47
(M. Torme-R. Wells)
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DISC IV
GENE KRUPA AND HIS NEW ORCHESTRA
1. Starburst (S) 1:34
(E. Finckel-G. Krupa)
2. Fish Market (S) 5:23
(Roy Eldridge)
3. The Very Thought Of You (S) 5:05
(Ray Noble)
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GENE KRUPA AND HIS ORCHESTRA
4. Jose Gonzales (T) 3:01
(Evans-Hilliard-Miles)
5. Ooh Hot Dog [Boogie Blues] (T) 3:06
(G. Krupa-R. Biondi)
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BUDDY RICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA
6. Quiet Riot (U) 4:15
(Rich-Castle-Brooks)
7. A Little Handicap (U) 2:40
(B. Rich-N. Hefti)
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BUDDY RICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA
8. Rich spoken introduction (V) 0:09
9. Nellie’s Nightmare (V) 5:19
(E. Finckel-B. Rich)
10. Rich and Allen Eager spoken introduction (V) 0:19
11. Daily Double (V) 5:35
(G. Auld-B. Johnson)
12. Rich spoken introduction (as recorded) (V) 0:33
13. Rich spoken introduction (slowed down) (V) 0:55
14. What Is This Thing Called Love? (V) 3:42
(Cole Porter)
15. Rich spoken introduction (V) 0:14
16. I Believe (V) 2:15
(S. Cahn-J. Styne)
17. Just You, Just Me (V) 3:03
(J. Greer-R. Klages)
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BUDDY RICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA
18. A Man Could Be A Wonderful Thing (W) 3:15
(L. Carr-L. Corday)
19. The Carioca (W) 2:30
(Youmans-Eliscu-Kahn)
20. Rich spoken introduction (W) 0:05
21. Four Rich Brothers [Four Brothers] (W) 3:24
(Jimmy Giuffre)
22. Good Bait (W) 2:52
(C. Basie-T. Dameron)
23. (Baby) I’ve Got News For You (W) 2:45
(Roy Alfred)
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DISC V
HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA
1. James spoken introduction (X) 0:09
2. Blue Lou (X) 2:43
(I. Mills-E. Sampson)
3. Charmaine (X) 1:49
(L. Pollack-E. Rapee)
4. The Sad Sack (X) 3:16
(Harry James)
5. Mexico City (X) 4:12
(W. Donaldson-M. Greene)
6. Sierra (X) 3:45
(J. Matthias-S. Russell)
7. Too Marvelous For Words (X) 3:13
(J. Mercer-R. Whiting)
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HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA
8. September In The Rain (Y) 3:15
(A. Dubin-H. Warren)
9. 920 Special (Y) 2:44
(Earle Warren)
10. Rose Room (Y) 4:14
(A. Hickman-H. Williams)
11. Eight Bar Riff (Part 1) (Y) 4:07
(Harry James)
12. Eight Bar Riff (Part 2) (Y) 3:20
(Harry James)
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CLAUDE THORNHILL AND HIS ORCHESTRA
13. Easy Does It (Z) 3:18
(T. Young-S. Oliver)
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COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
14. Yeah Man (AA) 2:43
(Count Basie)
15. Rhythm Man (AA) 2:40
(Count Basie)
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COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
16. Kansas City Stride (BB) 4:12
(Dicky Wells)
17. Beaver Junction (BB) 3:41
(Harry Edison)
18. Circus In Rhythm (BB) 3:40
(Earle Warren)
19. Aunt Hagar’s Country Home (BB) 3:20
(unidentified)
20. Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You (BB) 4:09
(A. Razaf-D. Redman)
21. Basie Strides Again (Along Avenue C) (BB) 3:00
(Buck Clayton)
22. Playhouse No. 2 Stomp (Variations on I Got Rhythm) (BB) 3:17
(George Gershwin)
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COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
23. Kansas City Stride (alt tk.) (BB) 3:45
(Dicky Wells)
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DISC VI
COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
1. Basie spoken introduction (CC) 0:10
2. Taps Miller (CC) 5:10
(Count Basie)
3. [Just An] Old Manuscript (CC) 3:29
(A. Razaf-D. Redman)
4. On The Upbeat (CC) 3:52
(Al Killian)
5. Basie and Rushing spoken introduction (CC) 0:16
6. Jimmy’s Blues (CC) 3:01
(Jimmy Rushing)
7. Take Me Back Baby (CC) 3:08
(Smith-Basie-Rushing)
8. Playhouse No. 2 Stomp (Variations on I Got Rhythm) (CC) 4:45
(George Gershwin)
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COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
9. High Tide (I Ain’t Mad At You) (DD) 5:44
(Basie-Green-Rutherford)
10. Sent For You Yesterday (DD) 2:13
(Basie-Durham-Rushing)
11. Jimmy’s Boogie Woogie (DD) 1:50
(C. Basie-J. Rushing)
12. Tippin’ On The Q.T. (DD) 3:43
(Buck Clayton)
13. San Jose (DD) 2:44
(L. Edwards-A. Bryan)
14. B-Flat Blues (DD) 2:38
(?. King)
15. Sweet Lorraine (DD) 3:59
(M. Parrish-C. Burwell)
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LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
16. Hampton spoken introduction (EE) 0:12
17. Flying Home (Part 1) (EE) 4:46
(B. Goodman-L. Hampton)
18. Flying Home (Part 2) (EE) 4:28
(B. Goodman-L. Hampton)
19. The Major And The Minor (EE) 3:48
(R. Evans-E. Bostic)
20. I Wonder Boogie (EE) 4:40
(Lionel Hampton)
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LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
21. Vibe Boogie (FF) 5:25
(Lionel Hampton)
22. Screamin’ Boogie (FF) 5:45
(Lionel Hampton)
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DISC VII
YANK LAWSON AND HIS V-DISC ALL STARS
1. Phil Harris spoken introduction (GG) 0:17
2. Washboard Blues (GG) 3:17
(Carmichael-Callahan-Mills)
3. Sugar (GG) 2:35
(M. Pinkard)
4. Sensation [Rag] (GG) 2:43
(Eddie Edwards)
5. Davenport Blues (GG) 4:45
(Bix Beiderbecke)
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GLEN GRAY AND THE CASA LOMA ORCHESTRA
6. Gray spoken introduction (HH) 0:40
7. No Name Jive (HH) 4:47
(Larry Wagner)
8. Ja-Da (HH) 2:14
(Bob Carleton)
9. Low Gravy (HH) 2:57
(C. Hopkins- J. Thouras)
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THE COMBINED BANDS OF JIMMY AND TOMMY DORSEY / THE COMBINED BANDS OF TOMMY AND JIMMY DORSEY
10. Dorsey Brothers and Bill Goodwin spoken introduction (II) 0:58
11. Brotherly Jump (II) 5:25
(Sy Oliver)
12. More Than You Know (II) 4:45
(Eliscu-Rose-Youmans)
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JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA
13. Contrasts (JJ) 1:07
(Jimmy Dorsey)
14. Dorsey spoken introduction (JJ) 0:19
15. Long John Silver (JJ) 3:53
(J. Dorsey-R. Knise)
16. Grand Central Getaway (JJ) 2:26
(D. Gillespie-J. Dorsey)
17. All The Things You Ain’t (JJ) 2:22
(J. Dorsey-B. Russin)
18. Sunset Strip (JJ) 4:51
(J. Dorsey-J. Burke)
19. Together (JJ) 3:13
(DeSylva-Brown-Henderson)
20. The Great Lie (JJ) 4:36
(C. Calloway-A. Gibson)
21. Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’ (JJ) 3:59
(R. Rodgers-O. Hammerstein II)
22. Jumpin’ Jehosephat (JJ) 3:16
(J. Dorsey-J. Lippman)
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TOMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA
23. At The Fat Man’s (KK) 4:10
(Sy Oliver)
24. Blues No More (KK) 5:52
(Sy Oliver)
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DISC VIII
CAPTAIN GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA
1. Miller spoken introduction (BD) (LL) 0:08
2. Miller spoken introduction (LL) 0:13
3. Stardust (LL) 3:59
(H. Carmichael-M. Parish)
4. Buckle Down Winsocki (LL) 2:35
(R. Blane-H. Martin)
5. El Capitan (LL) 1:42
(John Philip Sousa)
6. The St. Louis Blues March (LL) 4:25
(W.C. Handy)
7. Stormy Weather (LL) 4:23
(H. Arlen-T. Koehler)
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CAPT. GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA
8. The Squadron Song (MM) 2:30
(Fitch-Hall-Moore)
9. Tail End Charlie (MM) 2:38
(Bill Finegan)
10. Goin’ Home (Antonin Dvorak)
Honeysuckle Rose (F. Waller-A. Razaf)
My Blue Heaven (W. Donaldson-G. Whiting) (MM) 4:53
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CAPT. GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA
11. G. I. Jive (NN) 2:58
(Johnny Mercer)
12. Moon Dreams (NN) 5:10
(C. MacGregor-J. Mercer)
__________________________________________________________________
CURTIS BAY COAST GUARD TRAINING STATION DANCE BAND
13. Annie Laurie (OO) 2:25
(J. Scott-W. Douglas)
14. Mary Lou (OO) 2:30
(Robinson-Wagner-Lyman)
15. Shine (OO) 2:08
(Mack-Brown-Dabney)
16. Available Jones (OO) 3:32
(Danny Hurd)
__________________________________________________________________
U.S. MARITIME SERVICE TRAINING STATION BAND – UNDER DIRECTION OF WARRANT OFFICER SI WARONKER, USMC
17. Pee Wee Hunt spoken introduction (PP) 0:18
18. The Devil Is Afraid Of Music (PP) 2:17
(Willard Robison)
19. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (PP) 2:15
(Irving Berlin)
20. The Sphinx (PP) 2:28
(Mahlon Clark)
__________________________________________________________________
ARMY SERVICE FORCES DANCE BAND, DIRECTED BY SGT. JOHNNY MESSNER
21. I Know That You Know (QQ) 1:54
(V. Youmans-A. Caldwell) _________________________________________________________________
344th ARMY SERVICE FORCES ORCHESTRA
22. General Joseph Byron spoken introduction (RR) 0:57
23. Lonesome Road (RR) 2:25
(G. Austin-N. Shilkret)
24. Swingtime In The Rockies (RR) 2:10
(B. Goodman-J. Mundy)
_______________________________________________________________
MAJORS & THE MINORS
25. Whispering (SS) 2:55
(Coburn-Rose-Schonberger)
26. Sometimes I’m Happy (SS) 1:53
(Caesar-Youmans-Grey)
__________________________________________________________________
RANDY BROOKS AND HIS ORCHESTRA
27. To Beat Or Not To Beat (TT) 4:37
(R. Brooks-B. Hartsell)
28. Stompin’ At The Savoy (TT) 4:11
(Sampson-Webb-Goodman-Razaf)
_______________________________________________________________
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
DISC IX
MUS. 1/C SAM DONAHUE AND THE NAVY DANCE BAND
1. “C” Jam Blues (UU) 5:40
(Duke Ellington)
2. Dinah (UU) 4:15
(Akst-Young-Lewis)
3. My Melancholy Baby (UU) 3:40
(Norton-Watson-Burnett)
4. Bugle Call Rag (UU) 3:34
(Meyers-Pettis-Schoebel)
_______________________________________________
MUS. 1/C SAM DONAHUE AND THE NAVY DANCE BAND
5. Moten Swing (VV) 4:08
(B. Moten-I. Moten)
6. Just You, Just Me (VV) 2:09
(J. Greer-R. Klages)
7. LST Party (VV) 4:19
(Sam Donahue)
8. Deep Night (VV) 3:24
(R. Vallee-C. Henderson)
9. I’ve Found A New Baby (VV) 2:52
(J. Palmer-S. Williams)
10. You Was Right Baby (VV) 4:17
(D. Barbour-P. Lee)
11. Convoy (VV) 3:54
(Sam Donahue)
12. Cocktails For Two (VV) 2:42
(A. Johnston-S. Coslow)
13. Paradise (VV) 5:01
(N. Brown-G. Clifford)
_________________________________________________________________
SAM DONAHUE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
14. Sax-O-Boogie (with introduction) (WW) 2:50
(Sam Donahue)
________________________________________________________________
MUS. 1/C SAM DONAHUE AND THE NAVY DANCE BAND
15. “C” Jam Blues (alt tk.) (UU) 5:07
(Duke Ellington)
16. Dinah (alt tk.) (UU) 4:24
(Akst-Young-Lewis)
17. Bugle Call Rag (alt tk.) (UU) 3:28
(Meyers-Pettis-Schoebel)
18. Moten Swing (alt tk.) (VV) 4:03
(B. Moten-I. Moten)
19. Convoy (-1) (VV) 3:48
(Sam Donahue)
20. Convoy (alt tk.) (VV) 3:53
(Sam Donahue)
_________________________________________________________________
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
DISC X
JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA
1. For Dancers Only (XX) 2:27
(Oliver-Raye-Schoen)
2. What To Do (XX) 3:05
(?. Gannon)
3. The Jimmies (XX) 3:30
(Edwin Wilcox)
4. I Need A Lift (XX) 2:30
(Edwin Wilcox)
__________________________________________________________________
DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA
5. Redman spoken introduction (YY) 0:14
6. Pistol Packin’ Mama (YY) 3:34
(Al Dexter)
7. Redman Blues (YY) 4:52
(Don Redman)
8. Redman spoken introduction (YY) 0:17
9. Great Day In The Morning (YY) 2:57
(J. Whitney-A. Kramer)
10. Redman spoken introduction (YY) 0:11
11. Sneaky Pete (YY) 2:53
(Don Redman)
________________________________________________________________
CHARLIE SPIVAK AND HIS ORCHESTRA
12. Star Dreams (theme with Spivak spoken introduction) (ZZ) 1:18
(Burke-Dee-Spivak)
13. The General Jumped At Dawn (ZZ) 2:57
(Jimmy Mundy)
14. I’ll Get By (ZZ) 1:15
(F. Ahlert-R. Turk)
15. Arkansas (ZZ) 2:54
(B. Ram-R. Evans)
__________________________________________________________________
LEE CASTLE AND HIS ORCHESTRA
16. Castle spoken introduction (AAA) 0:18
17. I Get The Blues When It Rains (AAA) 4:59
(H. Stoddard-M. Klauber)
18. Uptown Express (AAA) 4:43
(L. Castle- ?. Flenniken)
__________________________________________________________________
TONY PASTOR AND HIS ORCHESTRA
19. Pastor spoken introduction (BBB) 0:22
20. ‘Deed I Do (BBB) 4:23
(F. Rose-W. Hirsch)
__________________________________________________________________
TONY PASTOR AND HIS ORCHESTRA
21. Together (CCC) 2:41
(DeSylva-Brown-Henderson)
__________________________________________________________________
BILL HEATHCOCK AND HIS ORCHESTRA
22. Late At Night (DDD) 3:27
(Bill Heathcock)
23. P.S. I Love You (DDD) 2:22
(J. Mercer-G. Jenkins)
24. You’re Not The Kind (DDD) 2:34
(W. Hudson-I. Mills)
25. My Silent Love (DDD) 3:56
(D. Suesse-E. Heyman)
__________________________________________________________________
JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA
26. For Dancers Only (alt tk.) (XX) 2:28
(Oliver-Raye-Schoen)
___________________________________________________________
BILL HEATHCOCK AND HIS ORCHESTRA
27. Late At Night (BD) (DDD) 0:41
(Bill Heathcock)
28. Late At Night (alt) (DDD) 2:20
(Bill Heathcock)
29. Late At Night (alt) (DDD) 3:30
(Bill Heathcock)
30. Late At Night (alt) (DDD) 3:27
(Bill Heathcock)
__________________________________________________________________
CLASSIC V-DISC BIG BAND JAZZ SESSIONS
DISCOGRAPHY
For the purposes of this discography, only the first release of each matrix is listed and shown as originally released on 78 except where noted as an LP or CD. Recordings listed as being released on the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) are 16” vinyl pressings that were used for radio station play only.
Although some 16” masters do exist that would give us a clue as to the order of recording, there are no session logs available to determine the exact chronological order of performance. We have therefore presented this discography in the order they are to be found on our CDs which were programmed by the producer. (However, keep in mind that any alternate takes are to be found at the end of each CD).
The matrix numbers found in the wax were originally designated to provide various information on the massive amount of material being used for release of these V-Discs. These letters and numbers indicate year of issue, a governmental V-Disc account, the size of the disc, the number of the pressings for a given year, and the number of masters used for pressing of a given title. We have decided to include only the letters that designate the men involved with the V-Disc program: JDB (for Tony Janak, Keith Davis and Frank Bruno); JB (for Janak and Bruno); J (for Janak); and VP (for Robert Vincent and Morty Palitz).
Titles that are shown in italics, whether they have been issued or still remain unissued, are not included in this set and are shown at the end of the session in this discography. We have, in many cases, placed the spoken introductions as the opening track of each artist and therefore do not necessarily reflect what is actually the order heard on the original 78s.
The following reference materials used for this discography came from Count Basie: A Bio-Discography by Chris Sheridan (Greenwood Press); The Jazz Discography by Tom Lord (Lord Music Reference, Inc.); Jimmy Dorsey – A Study In Contrasts by Robert Stockdale (Greenwood Press); The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band: Sustineo Alas – I Sustain The Wings by Edward F. Polic (Greenwood Press); The Soundies by Mark Cantor (McFarland & Company); V-Discs: A History And Discography by Richard S. Sears (Greenwood Press); V-Discs: First Supplement by Richard S. Sears (Greenwood Press).
Other information comes from the original 78s and research by the producer.
Label Abbreviations: AFRS for Armed Forces Radio Service; IAJRC for International Association of Jazz Record Collectors; JS for Jazz Society; VJC for Vintage Jazz Classics.
Country Abbreviations: E for England, Swd for Sweden.
Other Abbreviations: alt tk. for alternate take, BD for breakdown and PB for playback.
__________________________________________________________________
DISC I
(A) WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Neal Hefti (tp, arr), Dick Munson, Ray Wetzel, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli (tp), Ralph Pfeffner, Bill Harris, Ed Kiefer (tb), Woody Herman (cl, as, vcl), Sam Marowitz, Bill Shine (as), Flip Phillips, Pete Mondello (ts), Skippy DeSair (bari), Ralph Burns (p, arr), Billy Bauer (el-g), Chubby Jackson (b), Dave Tough (d), Frances Wayne (vcl), Eddie Sauter (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
September 5, 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 914 Red Top (NH-arr) V-Disc 382 (Army) / 162 (Navy)
VP 913 Frances Wayne
spoken introduction V-Disc 323 (Army) / 110 (Navy)
VP 913 Happiness Is Jes’ A Thing
Called Joe (FW-vcl) (RB-arr) – –
alt tk. Jones Beachhead
[Half Past Jumpin’ Time] (NH-arr) Hep (E) 35 (LP)
JDB 6 Jones Beachhead
[Half Past Jumpin’ Time] (NH-arr) V-Disc 761
alt tk. I Can’t Put My Arms
Around A Memory (FW-vcl) Hep (E) 35 (LP)
J 1628 I Can’t Put My Arms
Around A Memory (FW-vcl) V-Disc 824
__________________________________________________________________
(B) WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
September 10, 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 907 Herman spoken introduction V-Disc 369
VP 907 Apple Honey (RB-arr) –
VP 906 There Are No Wings On A Foxhole
(WH-vcl) (RB-arr) V-Disc 305 (Army) / 85 (Navy)
VP 908 Time Waits For No One
(FW-vcl) (ES-arr) V-Disc 357
________________________________________________________________
(C) WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Sonny Berman, Charles Frankhauser, Ray Wetzel, Pete Candoli, Carl Warwick (tp), Ralph Pfeffner, Bill Harris, Ed Kiefer (tb), Woody Herman (cl, as, vcl), Sam Marowitz, John LaPorta (cl, as), Flip Phillips, Pete Mondello (ts), Skippy DeSair (bari), Marjorie Hyams (vib), Ralph Burns (p, arr), Billy Bauer (el-g), Chubby Jackson (b), Dave Tough (d), Neal Hefti, Jiggs Noble, Roger Segure (arr).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
mid-February, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1282 Golden Wedding (JN-arr) V-Disc 458 (Army) / 238 (Navy)
VP 1466 I’ve Got The World
On A String
(WH-vcl) (RB-arr) V-Disc 519
VP 1466 Yeah Man! [Amen!]
(WH, band-vcl) (RS-arr) –
Caldonia (WH-vcl) (RB, NH-arr) unissued
Goosey Gander (RB-arr) –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
The version of Caldonia that follows Golden Wedding on V-Disc 458 is not a V-Disc session but the master take from the Columbia session of February 26, 1945. It’s possible that the unissued Caldonia listed here is incorrect and in fact is the Columbia recording referenced.
Wedding In Gold found on V-Disc 813, and credited as LIEDERKRANZ ALL STARS, is a re-issue (rarely used on V-Discs) of V-Disc 458.
It has also been suggested that VP 1282 is from the September 10, 1944 Woody Herman session and that VP 1466 is from the September 5, 1944 date (since the sound of the studio leans more toward the RCA Victor Studios rather than at Liederkranz Hall) which would make this not a separate V-Disc session. __________________________________________________________________
(D) WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Sonny Berman, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Ray Linn (tp), Neal Hefti (tp, arr), Ralph Pfeffner (tb), Bill Harris (tb, arr), Ed Kiefer (tb), Woody Herman (cl, as, vcl), Sam Marowitz, John LaPorta (cl, as), Flip Phillips, Pete Mondello (ts), Skippy DeSair (bari), Tony Aless (p), Billy Bauer (el-g), Chubby Jackson (b), Dave Tough (d), Frances Wayne (vcl), Ralph Burns, Phil Moore (arr).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
August 22, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1514 Herman spoken introduction V-Disc 543
VP 1514 Ah, Your Father’s Mustache
(WH-vcl) (NH, BH-arr) –
VP 1520 Lover Man (FW-vcl) (RB-arr) V-Disc 552
VP 1534 Herman spoken introduction V-Disc 567
VP 1534 Don’t Worry ’Bout That Mule
(WH-vcl) (RB-arr) –
VP 1535 125th Street Prophet (PM-arr) V-Disc 583
Note: Some discographies list that a sixth trumpet (unidentified) was also on this session.
__________________________________________________________________
(E) “CHUBBY” JACKSON’S MAD MOB: Same personnel as (D) except omit Woody Herman (cl, as, vcl) and add Martha Raye (vcl).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
August 22, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
Martha Raye spoken introduction Hep (E) 34/35 (CD)
-1 He’s Funny That Way (MR-vcl) –
-2 He’s Funny That Way (MR-vcl) –
JDB 92 Meshugah [They Went That-A-Way] V-Disc 665
Secunda Hep (E) 34/35 (CD)
Note: Meshugah is also known as Sonny Speaks.
Some discographies list that a sixth trumpet (unidentified) was also on this session.
________________________________________________________________
(F) LES BROWN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Randy Brooks, Bob Higgins, Paul Montgomery, Bob Scarde (tp), Stumpy Brown, Kenny Meisel, Dick Noel (tb), Les Brown, Hal McKusick (as), Steve Madrick (cl, as), Ted Nash, Eddie Scherr (ts), Butch Stone (bari, vcl), Geoff Clarkson (p), Teddy Walters (g), Bob Leininger (b), Dick Shanahan (d), Hal Derwin, Ben Homer, Glenn Taft (arr).
CBS Studios, Hollywood, Ca.,
November 17, 1943
Supervised by Vincent Bruno
and Morty Palitz
VP 401 Brown spoken introduction V-Disc 158
VP 554 Mexican Hat Dance (BH-arr) V-Disc 197
VP 1328 Moonglow V-Disc 473 (Army) /
253 (Navy)
VP 401 Just For A Day (HD-vcl) (GT-arr) V-Disc 158
VP 1328 What’s The Use
Of Getting Sober (BS-vcl) V-Disc 473 (Army) /
253 (Navy)
__________________________________________________________________
(G) LES BROWN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Randy Brooks, Bob Higgins, Tony Faso, Ernie Englund (tp), Stumpy Brown, Kenny Meisel, Don Kramer, Dick Noel (tb), Les Brown (cl, as), George Weidler, Joe Crosswaite (as), Ted Nash, Evan Aiken (ts), Butch Stone (cl, bari), Geoff Clarkson (p), Hy White (g), Bob Leininger (b), Dick Shanahan (d), Doris Day, Gordon Drake (vcl), Frank Comstock, Joe Garland (arr).
Army Camp Hospital, NJ,
Late July, 1944
Supervised by Steve Sholes and
George T. Simon
VP 815 Leap Frog (FC, JG-arr) V-Disc 283 (Army) / 63 (Navy)
VP 815 Flip Lid (FC-arr) – –
VP 842 Prelude To A Kiss V-Disc 329
VP 841 Okay For Baby V-Disc 305 (Army) / 85 (Navy)
VP 1159 Brown and Doris Day
spoken introduction V-Disc 412 (Army)/192 (Navy)
VP 1159 Take Me In Your Arms (DD-vcl) – –
VP 841 Some Peaceful Evening (GD-vcl) V-Disc 305 (Army) / 85 (Navy)
Note: Brown has a spoken introduction at the start of Leap Frog.
One of the reeds doubles on flute.
The Army Camp Hospital was either at Fort Dix, Wrightstown, NJ or Fort Monmouth, Red Bank, N.J.
__________________________________________________________________
(H) CHARLIE BARNET AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Peanuts Holland (tp, vcl), John Martel, Jack Mootz, Lyman Vunk (tp), Jerry Foster, Dave Hallet, Burt Johnson, Skip Moore (tb), Charlie Barnet (ss, as, ts), Hal Herzon, Joe Meissner (as), Kurt Bloom, Ed Pripps (ts), Bob Poland (bari), Dodo Marmarosa (p), Barney Kessel (el-g), Howard Rumsey (b), Harold Hahn (d), Kay Starr (vcl), Billy May, Billy Moore Jr., Andy Gibson, Harry Rogers, Ralph Burns, Dave Matthews (arr).
NBC Studios, Hollywood, Ca.,
July 13, 1944
Supervised by Morty Palitz
VP 799 Cherokee (Redskin Rhumba) V-Disc 307 (Army) / 87 (Navy)
VP 799 Pompton Turnpike (BMa-arr) – –
VP 806 Sharecroppin’ Blues
(KS-vcl) (DM-arr) V-Disc 326 (Army) / 106 (Navy)
alt tk. Skyliner (BMo-arr) Aircheck 30 (LP)
VP 1274 Skyliner (BMo-arr) V-Disc 458 (Army) / 238 (Navy)
VP 1274 Blue Skies (AG-arr) – –
JDB 69 Straighten Up And
Fly Right (PH-vcl) (HR-arr) V-Disc 649
JDB 69 Drop Me Off In Harlem (RB-arr) –
BD Skyliner (BMo-arr) unissued
Note: There is a possibility that four other titles come from this session or from a separate V-Disc session usually dated July 21st. The titles are <SC>the great lie<XC>, oh, miss jaxon<XC>, <SC>caravan<XC> and Until My Baby Comes Back To Me (which was recorded earlier for Decca on February 23, 1944 as Saltin’ Away My Sweet Dreams.)
_________________________________________________________________
(I) MAL HALLETT AND HIS ORCHESTRA: poss. Don Fagerquist, 2 or 3 unidentified (tp), 3 (tb), poss. Boots Musulli, unidentified (as), poss. Buddy Wise, poss. Jon Sher (ts), unidentified (bari), unidentified (p), unidentified (g), poss. Mary Conlon (b), unidentified (d).
unidentified studio, NYC, early August or Autumn 1944
Supervised by Dick Wise
VP 871 Boston Tea Party (theme with
Hallett spoken introduction) V-Disc 319
VP 871 Exactly Like You –
VP 872 After All That Gin (band-vcl) V-Disc 568
Note: A September 1944 review of the Hallett band by George T. Simon in Metronome had both Fagerquist, Sher and Conlon in the band at this time.
__________________________________________________________________
(J) CLYDE LUCAS AND HIS ORCHESTRA: probable personnel: Tony Shules, Paul Steele, Red Travis (tp), Clyde Lucas (tb, vcl), Sheldon Fonda, 1 unidentified (tb), Mickey McGuire, 1 unidentified (cl, as), Allen Yost, 1 unidentified (ts), unidentified (bari), Nelson Broadbeck (p), unidentified (b), (d), Jean LaSalle (vcl).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
c. late August 1944
Supervisor unidentified
VP 892 Ten Days With Baby (JL-vcl) V-Disc 318 (Army) / 98 (Navy)
VP 892 Miss You (JL-vcl) – –
VP 938 Dance With A Dolly (CL-vcl) V-Disc 331 (Army) / 111 (Navy)
Note: Although the arrangers are not identified on these sides, the Sears discography includes both Don Redman and Al Russ as arrangers with the band.
The labels are reversed on some copies of V-Disc 318.
__________________________________________________________________
(K) TED FIORITO AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Nick Cochrane or Jack Haren, Sam Sholnick, Eb Swingle (tp), Quig Quigley (tp, vcl), poss. “Big Chief” Russell Moore, 2 unidentified (tb), poss. Larry Green, 1 unidentified (as), poss. Frank Socolow, Jimmy Bowen or Jellie Caballero (ts), Ossie Swingle (bari), Ted Fio Rito (p, vcl), unidentified (g), Candy Candido (b, vcl), poss. Art Yows (d), The Solidaires (Patti Palmer, Kay Swingle, Eb Swingle) (vcl).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
November 8, 1943
Supervised by Steve Sholes
VP 476 Can’t Get Stuff In Your Cuff (QQ-vcl) V-Disc 171
VP 307 My Buddy (S-vcl) V-Disc 102
VP 308 I Dug A Ditch (S-vcl) –
VP 476 I Said No (CC, TF-vcl) V-Disc 171
Note: Eb Swingle was also known as Ossie and Ward.
__________________________________________________________________
(L) HAL MCINTYRE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Sal LaPerche, Vince Hughes, Paul Petrits, Jimmy Simms (tp), Jimmy Emert, Tom Greco, Bill Siegel (tb), Hal McIntyre (cl, as), Bart Caldarell (as), John Popa, Ted Goddard (ts), Johnny Turnbull (bari), Danny Hurd (p, arr), Zeb Julian (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Ralph Tilken (d), Al Noble, Gloria Van (vcl), Howard Gibeling (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
October 22, 1943
Supervised by Steve Sholes
VP 242 McIntyre spoken introduction V-Disc 66
VP 240 Paper Doll (AN-vcl) (HG-arr) –
VP 240 The Sheep In The Meadow (DH-arr) –
VP 244 Rockin’ And Ridin’ (DH-arr) V-Disc 106
VP 242 If You Please (AN-vcl) (HG-arr) V-Disc 66
VP 243 My Ideal (GV-vcl) (HG-arr) V-Disc 464 (Army) /
V-Disc 244 (Navy)
VP 241 Do Nothin’ Till You Hear
From Me (GV-vcl) (HG-arr) V-Disc 106
Later Tonight (HG-arr) unissued
Note: The titles The Sheep In The Meadow and Paper Doll are transposed on the label of V-Disc 66.
The introduction found before Rockin’ And Ridin’ on V-Disc 106, is the same that is heard on V-Disc 66.
It is not known if Later Tonight still exists.
__________________________________________________________________
(M) HAL MCINTYRE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Bob Funk or Fred Austin, Danny Britain, Willard Wagner, Joe Weidman (tp), Jimmy Emert, Gene Bird, Ferd Von Versen (tb), Hal McIntyre (cl, as), Don Barrett (cl, as), Johnny Hayes, John Popa (ts), Johnny Turnbull (bari), George Miller (p), Walt Ullner (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Ralph Tilken (d), Ruth Gaylor (vcl), Howard Gibeling, Danny Hurd, Barney Koppich (arr).
Mason General Hospital, Edgewood Annex,
Brentwood, Long Island, NY,
December 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1092 Tabby The Cat (RG-vcl) (HG-arr) V-Disc 398 / 180 (Navy)
VP 1092 Hymn To A Goat (HG-arr) – –
VP 1149 Cool As A Fool In A Pool (BK-arr) V-Disc 415 / 195 (Navy)
VP 1149 Singin’ In The Rain (DH-arr) – –
Jerome Kern Medley unissued
Note: It is not known if Jerome Kern Medley still exists.
________________________________________________________________
(N) STAN KENTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Buddy Childers, John Anderson, Russ Burgher, Bob Lymperis (tp), Ray Wetzel (tp, vcl), Fred Zito, Jimmy Simms (tb), Milt Kabak (tb, arr), Bart Varsalona (b-tb), Boots Mussulli, Al Anthony (as), Bob Cooper, Sam Allecia (ts), Bob Gioga (bari), Stan Kenton (p, arr), Bob Ahern (g), Eddie Safranski (b), Ralph Collier (d), June Christy (vcl) , Gene Howard (vcl, arr), Ken Hanna, Gene Roland, Charlie Shirley (arr).
WOR Studios, NYC,
October 9, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1610 That’s The Stuff
You Gotta Watch (JC-vcl) (GR-arr) V-Disc 573
VP 1610 Southern Scandal (SK-arr) –
VP 1613 Ride On (JC, band-vcl) (CS-arr) V-Disc 590
VP 1613 I’m A Shy Guy (RW-vcl) (GH-arr) –
VP 1619 Kenton and Christy spoken introduction V-Disc 596
VP 1619 I Never Thought
I’d Sing The Blues (JC-vcl) (MK-arr) –
Are You Livin’ Old Man? (JC-vcl) AFRS BLP572
VP 1638 Summertime (GH-vcl) (KH-arr) AFRS BLP572
Artistry In Rhythm (SK-arr) unissued
I Just Couldn’t Take It Baby (GH-vcl) –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
We could not locate the version of Summertime.
_________________________________________________________________
(O) BOYD RAEBURN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Tommy Allison, Jimmy Pupa, poss. Marky Markowitz, poss. Lou Oles (tp), Tommy Pederson, Bob Swift, Earl Swope (tb), Johnny Bothwell, Hal McKusick (as), Boyd Raeburn, Tommy Bauer, Emmett Carls (ts), Stuart Olson (bari), George Handy (p, arr), Jimmy Johnson (b), Don Lamond (d), Dorothy Claire (vcl), Ed Finckel, Dizzy Gillespie (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
May 11, 1944
Supervised by Steve Sholes and
Tony Janak
VP 688 Raeburn spoken introduction V-Disc 246 (Army) / 26 (Navy)
VP 689 A Night In Tunisia (DG, GH-arr) V-Disc 275 (Army) / 55 (Navy)
VP 688 Who Started Love? (DC-vcl) (DG-arr)V-Disc 246 (Army) / 26 (Navy)
VP 1764 March Of The Boyds (EF-arr) V-Disc 647
VP 1764 Two Spoos In An Igloo (EF-arr) –
________________________________________________________________
(P) BOYD RAEBURN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Charles Panely, Paul Cohen, Dick Hoffman, Paul Lopez (tp), Porky Cohen, Frank Webb, Eddie Bert (tb), Al Richman (french horn), Allen Fields (as), Harvey Estrin (fl, as), Frank Socolow, Marvin Roth (ts), Jack Rothman (english horn, oboe), Sam Krupit (p), Clyde Lombardi (b), Tiny Kahn (d), Johnny Richards (arr).
WOR Guild Theater, NYC,
c. June 1948
Supervised by Tony Janak
J627 Begin The Beguine (JR-arr) V-Disc 873
Amor unissued
Note: It is not known if Amor still exists.
_________________________________________________________________
(Q) KAY KYSER AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Merwyn “Ishkabibble” Bogue, Bob Fleming, Bobby Guyer (tp), Joe Howard, Harry Thomas, Max Williams (tb), Noni Bernardi, Hymie Gunkler (as), Rosy McHargue (cl, ts), Ray Dunn, Jack Martin (ts), Sully Mason (bari. vcl), Lyman Gandee (p), Roc Hillman (g), Jeff Bourgeois (b), Ormond Downes (d), Georgia Carroll, Harry Babbitt (vcl).
NBC Studios, Hollywood, Ca.,
November 15, 1943
Supervised by Robert Vincent
and Morty Palitz
VP 363 Always V-Disc 236 (Army) / 16 (Navy)
VP 363 Bye Bye Blues –
VP 370 Shine On Harvest Moon –
VP 356 Candlelight And Wine (GC, HB-vcl) V-Disc 96
VP 356 Do It Again (GC-vcl) –
VP 357 With My Head In The Clouds (quartet-vcl) –
VP 357 Victory Polka –
VP 360 My Heart Tells Me unissued
VP 360 For The First Time –
VP 361 Don’t Believe Everything
You Dream (GC, HB-vcl) V-Disc 178
VP 361 They Chopped Down The Old
Cherry Tree (SM, ens-vcl) –
VP 362 St. James Infirmary Blues unissued
Rio Rita –
‘Deed I Do –
Note: Richard Sears V-Disc discography lists George Duning as an arranger but it is not certain which charts he arranged.
__________________________________________________________________
(R) DOTTIE REED WITH JOHNNY BLOWERS AND GANG: Chris Griffin (tp), Herb Winfield (tb), Bill Stegmeyer (cl, as), Peanuts Hucko (ts), Dave Bowman (p), Guy Smith (el-g), Sid Weiss (b), Johnny Blowers (d), Dottie Reed (vcl).
Radio City, NBC Studios, NYC,
August 30, 1947
Supervised by Tony Janak
J 555 Born To Be Blue (DR-vcl) V-Disc 835
J 524 Club Blowers Shuffle [In A Mellotone] V-Disc 821
J 526 Cowbell Serenade V-Disc 845
Note: Both Club Blowers Shuffle and Cowbell Serenade appear on the Mosaic set of Classic V-Disc Small Group Jazz Sessions and are not included here.
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(S) GENE KRUPA AND HIS NEW ORCHESTRA: Tommy Allison, Marty Olson, Pinky Savitt, Al Stearns (tp), Leon Cox, Bill Culley, Tommy Pederson (tb), Ray De Geer, Harry Klee (as), Don Brassfield, Charlie Ventura (ts), Stuart Olson (bari), Remo Biondi, Teddy Blume, Ralph Friedman, Greg Ginzburg, Sam Gurkin, Paul Nero, Herb Sorkin (vln), Tom Alonge, Harry Belkin (vla), Julius Ehrenworth (cello), Teddy Napoleon (p), George Cuomo (g), Sid Weiss (b), Gene Krupa (d), Lillian Lane, The Escorts (Dave Lambert, Lillian Lane, Buddy Stewart) (vcl), Elton Hill (arr).
unidentified studio, NYC,
August 15, 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
Star Burst (with Krupa and
Escorts introduction) previously unissued
VP 916 Fish Market (BH-arr) V-Disc 342 (Army) / 123 (Navy)
Alphabet Song (Escorts-vcl) unissued
VP 915 The Very Thought
Of You (LL-vcl) V-Disc 332 (Army) / 112 (Navy)
Hawaiian War Chant
(LL, Escorts-vcl) unissued
Who? (EH-arr) –
Note: It is not known if the unissued title still exists. However, the Sears Supplement lists that Who? possibly came out on an AFRS Downbeat program.
This session is shown as a possible order of performance which came from the original lacquer disc.
The label of V-Disc 342 and 123 list Fish Market as being arranged by Krupa and Remo Biondi. However, Krupa had confirmed the arrangement was by Buster Harding.
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(T) GENE KRUPA AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Don Fagerquist, Joe Triscari, Buddy Hughes, Tony Russo (tp), Leon Cox, Tommy Pederson, Bill Culley (tb), Johnny Bothwell (as), Murray Williams (cl, as), Charlie Ventura, Steve Benoric (ts), Stuart Olson (bari), George Walters (p), Ed Yance (g), Harry Babasin (b), Gene Krupa (d), Anita O’Day, Buddy Stewart (vcl).
Hotel Astor Roof, NYC,
c. July 16, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
and Frank Bruno
VP 1515 Jose Gonzales (AO’D-vcl) V-Disc 543
VP 1515 Ooh, Hot Dawg [Boogie Blues] (AO’D-vcl) –
VP 1618 Just A Little Fond Affection (BS-vcl) V-Disc 585
This Is It unissued
It’s Up To You –
Tuxedo Junction –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(U) BUDDY RICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Sid Allardi, Louis Oles, Bitsy Mullins, Pinky Savitt, Karl Warwick (tp), Sam Hyster, Johnny Mandel, Dave Sickles, Earl Swope (tb), Les Clark, Aaron Sachs (as), George Berg, Mike Blanes (ts), Sid Brown (bari), Tony Nichols (p), Len Mirabelle (b), Joe Shulman (b), Buddy Rich (d), Ed Finckel, Neal Hefti (arr).
poss. RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
late December 1945 or early January 1946
Supervised by Tony Janak
JDB 146 Quiet Riot (EF-arr) V-Disc 691
JDB 178 A Little Handicap (NH-arr) V-Disc 705
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(V) BUDDY RICH AND HIS BAND -1 / BUDDY RICH AND HIS ORCHESTRA -2: Stan Fishelson, Tommy Allison, Phil Gilbert, Bill Howell (tp), Mario Daone, Bob Ascher, Chunky Koeningsberg (tb), Eddie Caine, Jerry Thirlkild (as), Allen Eager, Mickey Rich (ts), Harvey Lavine (bari), Harvey Leonard (p), Gene Dell (g), Tubby Phillips (b), Buddy Rich (d), Linda Larkin (vcl), Bill Channon, Ed Finckel, Neal Hefti, Tadd Dameron (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
April 11, 1947
Supervised by Tony Janak
JB 440 Rich spoken introduction -1 V-Disc 790
JB 440 Nellie’s Nightmare (EF-arr) -1 –
JB 441 Rich spoken introduction -2 V-Disc 775
JB 441 Daily Double (NH-arr) -2 –
JB 442 Rich spoken introduction (as recorded) -2 V-Disc 779
JB 442 Rich spoken introduction (in real time) -2 previously unissued
JB 442 What Is This Thing Called Love? (EF-arr) -2 –
JB 443 Rich spoken introduction -2 V-Disc 802
JB 443 I Believe (LL-vcl) (BC-arr) -2 –
JB 443 Just You, Just Me (TD-arr) -2 –
Note: The correct order of personnel (first, second chair, etc) comes from the V-Disc 779 label.
Some discographies also list drummer Stanley Kay as either a second drummer or a replacement for Rich but he is not audible on this session.
The original spoken introduction on V-Disc 779 is a spoof with Rich being recorded at 33 1/3 rpm and then reproduced at 78 rpm. We have included a track with the introduction slowed down to hear the intro as it was actually recorded.
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(W) BUDDY RICH AND BAND: Tommy Allison, Dale Pierce, Charlie Walp (tp), Mario Daone, Bob Ascher, Rob Swope (tb), Hal McKusick (as), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, arr), Ben Lary, Warne Marsh (ts), Harvey Lavine (bari), Jerry Schwartz (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Buddy Rich (d, vcl), Al Cohn, Neal Hefti, Tadd Dameron (arr).
NYC, October 28, 1948
Supervised by Tony Janak
J 662 A Man Could Be A Wonderful
Thing (BR-vcl) (AC-arr) -1 V-Disc 891
J 662 The Carioca (NH-arr) –
Rich spoken introduction V-Disc 899
J 679 Four Rich Brothers
[Four Brothers] (JG-arr) –
Good Bait (TD-arr) Hep (E) 12 (LP)
BD (Baby) I’ve Got News For You (BR-vcl) -1 unissued
(Baby) I’ve Got News For You (BR-vcl) -1 Hep (E) 12 (LP)
-1 Stanley Kay (d) replaces Rich.
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(X) HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Harry James, poss. Vince Badale, poss. Nick Buono, Jimmy Campbell, Al Cuozzo (tp), Ray Heath, poss. Harry Rodgers, Si Zentner (tb), Phil Palmer, Fred Waldron (f-hrn), Claude Lakey, John McAfee (as), Corky Corcoran, poss. King Guion (ts), Sam Sachelle (bari), Herschel Gilbert (vln, arr), Al Neiman (vln), Al Friede (cel), poss. Al Lerner (p), poss. Ben Heller (g), poss. Thurman Teague (b), Mickey Scrima (d), Buddy Moreno (vcl), Jack Matthias, Johnny Thompson (arr).
Columbia Studios, Hollywood,
November 17, 1943
Supervised by Morty Palitz
VP 358 James spoken introduction V-Disc 109
VP 364 Blue Lou V-Disc 177
VP 364 Charmaine –
VP 359 The Sad Sack –
VP 366 Mexico City (BM-vcl) (JT-arr) –
VP 365 Sierra (JM-arr) V-Disc 160
VP 368 Too Marvelous For Words
(BM-vcl) (JT-arr) V-Disc 466
VP 367 Better Give Me Lots
Of Lovin’, Honey (BM-vcl) V-Disc 160
VP 358 Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ (BM-vcl) V-Disc 109
VP 369 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (HG-arr) unissued
Note: It is not known if Ain’t Misbehavin’ still exists.
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(Y) HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Harry James, Red Berken, Jimmy Campbell, Al Ramsey, Jimmy Troutman (tp), Vic Hamann, Chuck Preble, Ray Heath (tb), Juan Tizol (v-tb), Willie Smith (cl, as), Murray Williams (as), Corky Corcoran (ts), Stuart Bruner (ts, bari), George Davis (bari), Bob Bein, Sam Caplan, John DeVoodgt, Sol Geskin, Jack Gootkin, George Grossman, Harry Jawarski, Ernest Karpati, Gerson Oberstein, Jerome Reisler (vln), David Uchitel, Bill Spear, Al Nieman, Hal Sorin (vla), Al Friede, Carl Ziegler (cello), Arnold Ross (p), Hayden Causey (el-g), Ed Mihelich (b), Ray Toland (d), Jimmy Mundy, Al Gibson (arr).
Lotos Club, 57th Street,
6th Floor Studio, NYC,
July 12, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1477 September In The Rain V-Disc 518
VP 1477 920 Special (JM-arr) –
VP 1629 Rose Room (AG-arr) -1 V-Disc 600
JDB 4 Eight Bar Riff (Pt. One) -1 previously unissued
JDB 2 (5) Eight Bar Riff (Pt. Two) -1 –
unidentified title unissued
unidentified title –
-1 omit strings
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(Z) CLAUDE THORNHILL AND BAND: Emil Terry, John Vohs, Bob Peck (tp), John Torick, Allan Langstaff (tb), Al Antonucci, Sandy Siegelstein (french horn), Bill Barber (tu), Danny Polo (cl, as), Lee Konitz (as), Mickey Folus, Jerry Sanfino (ts), Gerry Mulligan (bari), Claude Thornhill (p, arr), Joe Derise (g), Russ Saunders (b), Billy Exiner (d), Gil Evans (arr).
unidentified studio, NYC,
c. November 1948
J 681 Easy Does It (CT or GE-arr) V-Disc 900
Note: Thornhill has a spoken introduction at the start of Easy Does It.
Other titles may have been recorded at this session but no details are known.
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(AA) COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Buck Clayton (tp, arr), Harry Edison, Ed Lewis, Snooky Young (tp), Eli Robinson, Buster Scott, Louis Taylor, Dicky Wells (tb), Earle Warren, Jimmy Powell (as), Don Byas, Buddy Tate (ts), Caughey Roberts (bari), Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d), Horace Henderson, Jimmy Mundy (arr).
poss. World Studios, NYC,
November 23, 1943
VP 495 Yeah Man (HH-arr) V-Disc 175
VP 495 Rhythm Man (JM-arr) –
Queen Mary III unissued
Let’s Make Hay –
Jazz Me Blues (JM-arr) –
It’s Sand Man (BC-arr) –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
This probably is not a V-Disc date but an AFRS session from June or July of 1943. Sears’ V-Disc discography has V-Disc 175 as the date of this session, however, Buck Clayton was drafted in the Army on November 13th. It is possible then that the November 23rd date is a mastering date and not a recording date, making it possible this session was recorded in early November.
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(BB) COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Harry Edison, Al Killian, Joe Newman, Ed Lewis (tp), Dicky Wells (tb, arr), Ted Donnelly, Eli Robinson, Louis Taylor (tb), Earle Warren (as, vcl), Jimmy Powell (as), Lester Young, Buddy Tate (ts), Rudy Rutherford (cl, bari), Count Basie (p, arr), Freddie Green (g), Rodney Richardson (b), Jo Jones (d), Thelma Carpenter, Jimmy Rushing (vcl), Buck Clayton, Buster Harding, Don Redman (arr).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
May 27, 1944
Supervised by Morty Palitz
alt tk. Kansas City Stride (DW-arr) VJC-1018-2 (CD)
VP 711 Kansas City Stride (DW-arr) V-Disc 258 (Army) / 38 (Navy)
VP 712 Beaver Junction (BH-arr) – –
VP 731 Circus In Rhythm (BC-arr) V-Disc 289 (Army)/69 (Navy)
VP 732 Aunt Hagar’s Country Home
(EW-vcl) JS (Swd) AA506 (LP)
VP 733 Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You
(JR-vcl) (DR-arr) V-Disc 552
alt tk. Basie Strides Again unissued
J 509 Basie Strides Again (Along Avenue C)
[Avenue C] (BC-arr) V-Disc 813
Call Me Darling (TC-vcl) VJC-1018-2 (CD) or AFRS P-574
Playhouse No. 2 Stomp (Variations on
“I Got Rhythm”) (CB-arr) –
Note: Some discographies list a Harvard Blues from this session but it is from an NBC For The Record broadcast.
It is not known if the alternate take of Basie Strides Again still exists.
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(CC) COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Harry Edison, Al Killian, Joe Newman, Al Stearns (tp), Ted Donnelly, Eli Robinson, Louis Taylor, Dicky Wells (tb), Earle Warren, Jimmy Powell (as), Lucky Thompson, Buddy Tate (ts), Rudy Rutherford (cl, bari), Count Basie (p, arr), Freddie Green (g), Rodney Richardson (b), Joe Marshall (d), Jimmy Rushing (vcl), Buck Clayton, Andy Gibson, Don Redman (arr).
CBS Radio Playhouse No. 2,
NYC, January 11, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP1120 Basie spoken introduction V-Disc 493 (Army) / 219 (Navy)
VP1115 Taps Miller (BC-arr) V-Disc 419 (Army) / 119 (Navy)
VP1176 [Just An] Old
Manuscript (DR-arr) V-Disc 575
VP1280 On The Upbeat (DR-arr) V-Disc 468 / 248 (Navy)
VP1116 Basie / Rushing spoken intro V-Disc 460 (Army) / 240 (Navy)
VP1116 Jimmy’s Blues (JR-vcl) – –
VP1116 Take Me Back Baby (JR-vcl) (AG-arr) – –
VP1120 Playhouse No. 2 Stomp
(Variations on I Got
Rhythm) (CB-arr) V-Disc 493 (Army) / 219 (Navy)
All Of Me unissued
Call Me Darling AFRS P-574
Note: The spoken intro by Basie before Playhouse No. 2 Stomp (on V-Disc 493 (Army) and 219 (Navy) is the same that was used before Kansas City Stride from the May 27, 1944 session.
It is not certain (as a copy of this was not available to audition) if Call Me Darling is from this session or if it was actually issued on AFRS P-574 and from the May 27, 1944 session.
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(DD) COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Buck Clayton (tp, arr), Karl George, Harry Edison, Ed Lewis, Snooky Young (tp), Dicky Wells, Ted Donnelly, J. J. Johnson, Eli Robinson (tb), Earle Warren (as, vcl), Jimmy Powell (ss, as), Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson (ts), Rudy Rutherford (cl, bari), Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g), Rodney Richardson (b), Shadow Wilson (d), Jimmy Rushing, Taps Miller (vcl), Eddie Durham (arr).
NBC Studio 8-H, Radio City, NYC, May 14, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP1356 High Tide (I Ain’t Mad At You) (TM-vcl) -1 V-Disc 483
VP1357 Sent For You Yesterday (ED-arr) (JR-vcl) V-Disc 534
VP1357 Jimmy’s Boogie Woogie (JR-vcl) –
VP1686 Tippin’ On The Q.T. (BC-arr) V-Disc 627
JBB296 San Jose V-Disc 744
JBB296 B-Flat Blues –
JBB297 Sweet Lorraine (EW-vcl) V-Disc 802
-1 interjections by Harry Edison and Snooky Young.
Note: Six unknown titles have been reported to be recorded at this session. There is no evidence of their existence.
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(EE) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Cat Anderson, Lammar Wright Jr., Roy McCoy (tp), Joe Morris (tp, arr), Al Hayes, Booty Wood, Fred Beckett (tb), Earl Bostic, Gus Evans (as), Al Sears, Arnett Cobb (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bari), Lionel Hampton (vib, p), Milt Buckner (p, arr), Eric Miller (g), Vernon King (b), Fred Radcliffe (d), Frank Davenport (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
March 10, 1944
Supervised by Steve Sholes and Tony Janak
(organized by George T. Simon)
VP540 Hampton spoken introduction V-Disc 188
VP540 Flyin’ Home (Part 1) (MB-arr) –
VP541 Flyin’ Home (Part 2) (MB-arr) –
VP616 The Major And The Minor V-Disc 229 (Army)
VP617 I Wonder Boogie (MB-arr) –
Note: Some discographies list Joe Morris and Frank Davenport as arrangers on this and the next session but it is not certain what titles they arranged, if any.
The Navy counterpart of V-Disc 229 was released with Benny Carter Slow Freight and Fish Fry both Vocalion re-issues) backed with Charlie Spivak (Penthouse Serenade).
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(FF) LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Snooky Young, Lammar Wright Jr., Dave Page, Wendell Culley, Joe Morris (tp), Vernon Porter, Andrew Penn, Sonny Craven, Allen Durham, Al Hayes, Fred Beckett (tb), Herbie Fields (cl, as), Gus Evans (as), Arnett Cobb, Freddie Simon (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bari), Lionel Hampton (vib), Milt Buckner (p), Billy Mackel (el-g), Ted Sinclair, Charlie Harris (b), Fred Radcliffe (d).
NBC Studio 8-H, Radio City, NYC,
January 22, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP1125 Vibe Boogie V-Disc 404 (Army) / 184 (Navy)
VP1126 Screamin’ Boogie (band-vcl) V-Disc 428 (Army) / 208 (Navy)
Note: George T. Simon stated that there were other titles recorded but no details are available.
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(GG) YANK LAWSON AND THE V-DISC ALL STARS -1 / YANK LAWSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA -2 / YANK LAWSON AND HIS DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND -3: Yank Lawson, Billy Butterfield, Jimmy Maxwell, Andy Ferretti, Bill Graham (tp), Ward Sillaway, Billy Rauch, Vernon Brown (tb), Ray Eckstrand (cl, as), Hymie Schertzer (as), Nick Caiazza, Hank Ross (ts), Eddie Brown (bari), Dave Bowman (p), Carl Kress (el-g), Bob Haggart (b), Johnny Blowers (d).
World Studios, NYC, January 9, 1945
Supervised by Tony Janak
Phil Harris spoken introduction previously unissued ?
VP1679 Washboard Blues -3 V-Disc 597
VP1193 Sugar -2 V-Disc 454 (Army) / 234 (Navy)
VP1193 Sensation [Rag] -2 – –
VP1106 Davenport Blues -1 V-Disc 404 (Army) / 184 (Navy)
Note: All titles probably arranged by Bob Haggart.
Some discographies also list Buddy Morrow in the trombone section.
It’s not certain if any copies of V-Disc 597 have the introduction by Phil Harris. Our copy here came from Karl Pearson’s test pressing.
A copy of the Fonit Cetra LP was not available to audition nor a Columbia Reference recording (YR 44646-2) to confirm there were alternate takes on Sugar.
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(HH) GLEN GRAY AND THE CASA LOMA ORCHESTRA: William Dunmore, Ray Grien, Ralph Muzzillo (tp), Bobby Hackett (cor), Otto Alburn, Jay Kelleher, Walt Robertson (tb), Adrian Tei (cl, as), Fats Daniels (cl, as, vcl), Jack Goldie, George Stuyvesant (ts), Gil Parks (bari), Lou Carter (p), Peter Barton (g), Ramon Barlow (b), Jackie Mills (d), Larry Wagner (arr).
World Studios, NYC,
May 16, 1945
VP 1362 Gray spoken introduction V-Disc 500
VP 1362 No Name Jive (LW-arr) –
VP 1363 Ja-Da (LW-arr) previously unissued
VP 1363 Low Gravy (FD-vcl) (LW-arr) –
Rhythm Man unissued
That Old Black Magic –
Embraceable You –
That Old Black Magic –
The Day After Forever –
Why Name It –
Note: It has been suggested that the personnel for this session is the one that recorded for Decca the day before.
Gray’s introduction is spoken over the band’s theme song Smoke Rings.
Although Gray has been listed in discographies as being on alto, it is doubtful that he is in the section and that Adrian Tei is teamed on alto with Fats Daniels (Tei has been shown as being on tenor).
It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(II) THE COMBINED BANDS OF JIMMY AND TOMMY DORSEY -1 / THE COMBINED BANDS OF TOMMY AND JIMMY DORSEY -2: The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra: Charlie Shavers, Gerry Goff, Bobby Guyer, Sal LaPerche, George Seaberg (tp), Tommy Dorsey, Karl Dekarske, Dick Bellerose or Dick Noel, Tex Satterwhite (tb), Gus Bivona (cl, as), Sid Cooper (as), Babe Fresk, Al Klink (ts), Bruce Branson (bari), Jess Stacy (p), Bob Bain (g), Joseph Park (tu), Sid Block (b), Buddy Rich (d). The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra: Bob Alexy, Irving Goodman, Ray Linn, Tony Picciotto, Red Solomson (tp), Nick DiMaio, Mickey Iannone, Sonny Lee, Andy Russo (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl, as), Jack Aiken, Frank Langone (as), Tino Isgrow, Buddy Williams (ts), Bob Lawson (bari), Marvin Wright (p), Herb Ellis (g), Jimmy Stutz (b), Buddy Schutz (d), Sy Oliver (cond., arr), Otto Helbig (arr).
Liederkranz Hall, NYC,
March 15, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP1243 Spoken intros by Bill Goodwin,
Jimmy Dorsey and
Tommy Dorsey -1 V-Disc 451 (Army) / 231 (Navy)
VP1242 Brotherly Jump (SO-arr) -2 – –
VP1243 More Than You Know (OH-arr) -1 – –
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(JJ) JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Bob Alexy, Claude Bowen, Ray Linn, Tony Picciotto, Shorty Solomson (tp), Si Zentner, Sonny Lee, Andy Russo, Nick DiMaio (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl, as), Jack Aiken, Frank Langone (as), Bob Dukoff (ts), Charlie Frazier (ts, fl), Bob Lawson (bari), Marvin Wright (p), Teddy Walters (g, vcl), Jimmy Middleton (b), Buddy Schutz (d), Andy Gibson, Sonny Burke, Toots Camarata, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lippman, Pat McCarthy, Ray Krise (arr).
NBC Studios, Hollywood, Ca.,
July 12, 1944
Supervised by Morty Palitz
VP 840 Contrasts (TC-arr) V-Disc 314 (Army) / 94 (Navy)
VP 1088 Dorsey spoken introduction V-Disc 409 (Army)/189 (Navy)
VP 1088 Long John Silver (PM, RK-arr) – –
VP 920 Grand Central Getaway (DG-arr) V-Disc 391 (Army)/171 (Navy)
VP 920 All The Things You Ain’t (SB-arr) – –
VP 797 Sunset Strip (SB-arr) V-Disc 326 (Army)/106 (Navy)
VP 1418 Together (SB-arr) V-Disc 514 (Army)/274 (Navy)
VP 796 The Great Lie (AG-arr) V-Disc 283 (Army) / 63 (Navy)
VP 840 Oh What A
Beautiful Morning (SB-arr) V-Disc 314 (Army) / 94 (Navy)
VP 1268 Jumpin’ Jehosephat (JL-arr) V-Disc 470 (Army)/250 (Navy)
SSL-285 My First Love (TW-vcl) AFRS P-171
-1 (BD) Together unissued
Some discographies list King Porter Stomp as from this session on both an Army and Navy V-Discs, but this performance stems from the Warner Brothers film Hollywood Canteen.
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(KK) TOMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Chuck Genduso, Mickey Mangano, Paul McCoy (tp), Charlie Shavers (tp, vcl), Tommy Dorsey, Dick Noel, Bill Schallen, Tex Satterwhite (tb), Philip Palmer, Ralph Brown (F-horn), Buddy DeFranco (cl, as), Sid Cooper (fl, as), Boomie Richman (cl, ts), Babe Fresk (cl, b-cl, ts), Bruce Branson (cl, as, bari), Johnny Potoker (p), Sam Herman (g), Sid Block (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Sy Oliver (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC, November 16, 1945
unidentified supervisor
VP 1695 At The Fat Man’s (CS-vcl) (SO-arr) previously unissued
VP 1695 Blues No More (SO-arr) –
Note: Discographies have listed other titles from this or other sessions attributed to a Tommy Dorsey / V-Disc session. They are not specific V-Disc sessions.
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(LL) 418th AAFTC BAND UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CAPTAIN GLENN MILLER -1 / CAPTAIN GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA -2: Zeke Zarchy, Whitey Thomas, Jack Steele, Bobby Nichols, Steve Steck, Jack Reid, John Carisi (tp), Jimmy Priddy, James Harwood, John Halliburton, Larry Hall, Russ Myers, Nat Peck, Harry DiVito, Kahn Keene (tb), Addison Collins (f-hrn), Hank Freeman, Gabe Gelinas, Freddy Guerra (as), Peanuts Hucko (cl, ts), Jack Ferrier, Vinnie Carbone, Murray Wald, James Lynn Allison (ts), Chuck Gentry, Mannie Thaler (bari), George Ockner, Harry Katzman, Ernie Kardos, Earl Cornwell, Gene Bergen, Phil Marino, Richard Motylinski, Joe Shulman, Carl Swanson, Nathan Kaproff, Alfred Aulwurm, Al Milton, Freddy Ostrovsky, Dave Herman (vln), Jerry Gray (vln, arr), Dave Schwartz, Stanley Harris, Henry Brynan (vla), Morris Bialkin, Robert Ripley (cel), Jack Russin (p), Carmen Mastren (g), Trigger Alpert, Joe Shulman, Frank Caster (b), Ray McKinley (d, arr), Frank Ippolito (d), Perry Burgett, Ralph Wilkinson (arr).
RCA Victor Recording Studios, NYC,
October 29, 1943, 2:00-6:00 pm
Supervised by Morty Palitz, Steve
Sholes and Robert Vincent
BD Miller spoken introduction previously unissued
VP 264 Miller spoken introduction -1 V-Disc 65
VP 265 Buckle Down Winsocki -1 V-Disc 91
VP 265 El Capitan -1 –
VP 266 St. Louis Blues March
(PB, JG, RM-arr) -1 V-Disc 65 (Army) / 114 (Navy)
VP 264 Stardust (RW-arr) -2 – –
VP 267 Stormy Weather (RW-arr) -2 V-Disc 91
BD Stardust (RW-arr) -2 unissued
Note: St. Louis Blues March also appeared on V-Disc 522 (an Army re-issue).
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(MM) CAPT. GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA: Bernie Privin, Whitey Thomas, Bobby Nichols, Jack Steele (tp), Jimmy Priddy, James Harwood, John Halliburton, Larry Hall (tb), Addison Collins (f-hrn), Peanuts Hucko (cl, as), Hank Freeman, Freddy Guerra (as), Jack Ferrier, Vinnie Carbone (ts), Chuck Gentry (bari), George Ockner, Harry Katzman, Ernie Kardos, Earl Cornwell, Gene Bergen, Phil Marino, Richard Motylinski, Carl Swanson, Nathan Kaproff, Alfred Aulwurm, Al Milton, Freddy Ostrovsky, Dave Herman (vln), Jerry Gray (vln, arr), Dave Schwartz, Stanley Harris, Henry Brynan (vla), Morris Bialkin, Robert Ripley (cel), Mel Powell (p, arr), Carmen Mastren (g), Trigger Alpert (b), Ray McKinley, Frank Ippolito (d), Johnny Desmond (vcl), Bill Finegan, Fletcher Henderson (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
December 10, 1943
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 415 The Squadron Song (JD, band-vcl) (JG-arr) V-Disc 144
VP 415 Tail End Charlie (BF-arr) –
VP 416 1. Goin’ Home (JG-arr) V-Disc 123 (Army) /
161 (Navy)
2. Honeysuckle Rose (MP-arr) –
3. My Blue Heaven –
VP 1189 Holiday For Strings (Part 1) (JG-arr) V-Disc test pressing
VP 1190 Holiday For Strings (Part 2) (JG-arr) –
__________________________________________________________________
(NN) CAPT. GLENN MILLER AND THE ARMY AIR FORCES TRAINING COMMAND ORCHESTRA: Same as (MM).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
January 21, 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 563 Embraceable You (RW-arr) V-Disc 183
VP 563 G. I. Jive (RM, CC-vcl) (JG-arr) V-Disc 183
VP 618 Moon Dreams (JD, CC-vcl) V-Disc 201
VP 655 Stealin’ Apples (FH-arr) unissued
Note: The Stealin’ Apples which appeared on V-Disc 223 (Army) and 3 (Navy) has been listed in discographies as being from this V-Disc session. It is, however, from an I Sustain The Wings, May 6, 1944 broadcast and therefore not included here. However, as listed above, there is an unissued performance of Stealin’ Apples in the Sony vaults but has not been made available for us to transfer.
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(OO) CURTIS BAY COAST GUARD TRAINING STATION DANCE BAND: Tom Arthur, Tony Faso, Irving Goodman, Johnny Laone (tp), Tom Ellwin, Bob Kircher (tb), Bill Schallen (tb, vcl, cond), Kai Winding (tb, arr), Jerry Sanfino, Bob Walters (as), Ted Hyland, Leroy New (ts), Pete Brendel (bari), Paul Smith (p), Wade Grove (g), Johnny Frigo (b), Charlie Perry (d), Ken Hopkins, Danny Hurd (arr).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
March 1944
Supervised by Morty Palitz
VP 551 Annie Laurie (KW-arr) V-Disc 186
VP 550 Mary Lou (KH-arr) –
VP 550 Shine (KH-arr) –
VP 630 Available Jones (DH-arr) V-Disc 263 (Army) / 43 (Navy)
VP 551 My Heart Isn’t
In It (BS-vcl) (KH-arr) V-Disc 186
VP 631 You’re Driving Me Crazy unissued
Note: According to the conductor, Bill Schallen, twelve other titles were recorded at this session, but no other details are available except for a test pressing of You’re Driving Me Crazy (which was labeled as CURTIS BAY JAZZ BAND). It may have been by a smaller group or by the full orchestra.
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(PP) U.S. MARITIME SERVICE TRAINING STATION BAND – UNDER DIRECTION OF WARRANT OFFICER SI WARONKER, USMC: Pee Wee Hunt (tb, vcl), Bill Heathcock CSP, (X) USMC (tb, arr), Mahlon Clark (cl), Wilbur Schwartz (as). The remainder of the band is unidentified, however, a collective personnel does exist with the following: Bob Barney, Jack Barney, Frank Bruno, Clayton Cash, Dale Nichols, Tony Pasqueralli, Jimmy Potter, Pinky Savitt, Dale Shroff, Steve Sortono, Manny Stevens (tp), Bill Anthens, George Arus, Bill Fletcher, Matty Schiner, Ray Shultis (tb), Mark Douglas, Jack Echols, Earl Evans, Leonard Kavash, Joe Krechter, Pat Leonard, Jack Mitchell, Ted Nash, Odie Neal, Matt Utal (reeds), Carl Fischer or Mark McIntyre (p), Bob Domas, Stan Fletcher, Cass Malone, Russ Morhoff (b), Ray Hagan, Charley Price, Glenn Waller (d).
NBC Studios, Hollywood, Ca.,
August 9, 1945
Supervised by Tony Janak
VP 1516 Pee Wee Hunt spoken introduction V-Disc 545
VP 1516 The Devil Is Afraid Of Music (PWH-vcl) –
VP 1516 I’ve Got My Love
To Keep Me Warm (BH-arr) –
VP 1702 The Sphinx V-Disc 761
Note: The label includes “Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California”. This is where the training station was located and not the recording location.
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(QQ) ARMY SERVICE FORCES DANCE BAND, DIRECTED BY SGT. JOHNNY MESSNER: Doc Essick, Bobby Guy, Morrie Harris, Larry Weisman (tp). Eddie Bert, Marty Kupelian, Eddie Kusby, Sy Zeldin (tb), Doug Edelman (as), Phil Olivella (cl, as), Howard Determan (cl, ts), Ernie Perry (ts), Frank Gajer (bari), Moe Weshler (p), Jackie Paris (g), Frank Ray (b), Bunny Shawker (d), Bill Finegan (arr).
WOR Longacre Theater, NYC,
c. Spring 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon and
Harry Salter
VP 1517 I Know That You Know V-Disc 545
VP 1517 Cradle Song (BF-arr) V-Disc 545
Note: Walter Gross and Sy Oliver are listed as arrangers in the Sears discography but it is not known who arranged I Know That You Know.
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(RR) 344th ARMY SERVICE FORCES ORCHESTRA: 3 or 4 unidentified (tp), 3 unidentified (tb), Don Bonnee, Ray Toland, plus 3 unidentified (reeds), unidentified (p), (g), (d), Carmen Dello (dir), Buddy Clark, Bob Eberle (vcl), Wally Fobart (arr).
NBC Studios, Chicago,
February 1944
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1175 General Joseph Byron
spoken introduction V-Disc 435 (Army) / 215 (Navy)
VP 1175 Lonesome Road – –
VP 1175 Swingtime In The Rockies – –
VP 1174 How Little We Know (BC-vcl) V-Disc 435 (Army) / 215 (Navy)
VP 1174 I Understand (BE-vcl) –
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(SS) MAJORS & THE MINORS: 2 or 3 unidentified (tp), 2 (tb), 1 (cl, as), 1 (as), 2 (ts), (bari), (p), (b), (d).
unidentified location
1944
unidentified supervisor
D4TC 761-1 Whispering previously unissued
D4TC 761-1 Sometimes I’m Happy –
Note: This previously undocumented recording has “U S ARMY” in the run-off groove along with the matrix above.
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(TT) RANDY BROOKS AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Randy Brooks, Ernie Englund, Bitsy Mullens, Bill Scaffe, Bernie Valentine (tp), Jerry Barnes, Fred Mann, J.C. Miller (tb), Eddie Caine, Drew Walker (as), Willie Baker, Bob Cheeny (ts), Sam DeMartino (bari), Shorty Allen (p), John Crenzani (b), Sonny Mann [Joseph Mancari] (d), Dottie Reid (vcl), John Benson Brooks (arr).
World Studios, NYC,
late June 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
VP 1433 To Beat Or Not To Beat (JBB-arr) V-Disc 523
VP 1582 Stompin’ At The Savoy V-Disc 558
Holiday Forever (JBB-arr) unissued
Perdido –
Undecided –
Caravan –
Willow Road (DR-vcl) –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
In Richard Sears V-Disc discography it is noted that in addition to the unissued titles above, a couple of V-Disc safety lacquer discs (labeled Discs 1 and 2) were noted as by Randy Brooks and his Orchestra. On one title Do Do Do What You’ve Done Before (in four takes) a string section is audible but no trumpet by Brooks. It’s possible the identification on the disc is incorrect. However, the tune Remember When (in three takes) and an unidentified title are by the Brooks band. Access to this disc to confirm has not become available to us.
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(UU) MUS. 1/C SAM DONAHUE AND THE NAVY DANCE BAND -1 / FORMER MUSICIAN 1/C SAM DONAHUE -2: Conrad Gozzo, Frank Beach, John Best (tp), Don Jacoby (tp, vcl), Tasso Harris, Dick LeFave, Tak Takvorian (tb), Gene Leetch (b-tb), Ralph La Polla (cl, as), Bill Nichol (as), Sam Donahue (ts, arr), Joe Aglora, Mack Pierce (ts), Charlie Wade (bari), Rocky Coluccio (p), Al Horisch (g), Barney Spieler (b), Buzz Sithens (d), Benny Carter, David Rose (arr).
CBS Playhouse #4, NYC,
June 11, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
BD “C” Jam Blues (SD-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 5 (CD)
alt tk. “C” Jam Blues (SD-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 2 (CD)
VP1428 “C” Jam Blues (SD-arr) -1 V-Disc 505 (Army) / 265 (Navy)
alt tk. Dinah (DR-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 5 (CD)
VP1429 Dinah (DR-arr) -1 V-Disc 522
VP1489 My Melancholy Baby (BC-arr) -1 V-Disc 533
-1 Bugle Call Rag (SD-arr) -2 Hep (E) CD 5 (CD)
VP1734 Bugle Call Rag (SD-arr) -2 V-Disc 745
Note: Because of space limitations we were unable to include the breakdown of ”C” Jam Blues in this set.
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(VV) MUS. 1/C SAM DONAHUE AND THE NAVY DANCE BAND -1 / SAM DONAHUE AND HIS (NAVY) BAND -2 / SAM DONAHUE AND BAND -3: Same as (UU).
CBS Playhouse #4, NYC,
June 12, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
-1 Moten Swing (SD-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 5 (CD)
VP1499 Moten Swing (SD-arr) -1 V-Disc 553
VP1499 Just You, Just Me (SD-arr) -1 –
VP1500 LST Party (SD-arr) -1 V-Disc 573
VP1501 Deep Night (DR-arr) -1 V-Disc 583
VP1501 I’ve Found A New Baby (SD-arr) -1 –
VP1633 You Was Right Baby (DJ-vcl) -2 V-Disc 762
-1 Convoy (SD-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 5 (CD)
alt tk. Convoy (SD-arr) -1 Hep (E) CD 2 (CD)
VP1688 Convoy (SD-arr) -1 V-Disc 610
J534 Cocktails For Two (SD-arr) -3 V-Disc 832
Paradise (BC-arr) AFRS P-448
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(WW) SAM DONAHUE AND HIS ORCHESTRA (Probable personnel): Fern Caron, Bill Faffley, Don Faffley, Doc Severinson (tp), Bob Burgess, Ed Fromm, Owen Masingill (tb), Tom Morgan, Harry Peterson (as), Sam Donahue, Vic Powell (ts), Myron “Joe” Reisman (bari), Ray Rossi (p), Red Kelly (b), Hal Hahn (d), Shirley Lloyd, Bill Lockwood (vcl).
NBC Studios, NYC,
July 30, 1948
unidentified supervisor
#3 Sam Donahue spoken introduction -1 V-Disc 882
J 645 Sax O’ Boogie –
#1, #2, #3 Donahue spoken introduction unissued
Mean To Me (SL-vcl) –
-1? When I’m With You (BL-vcl) –
-2? When I’m With You (BL-vcl) –
#1 Lockwood and Lloyd spoken introduction –
BD #1 Sax O’ Boogie –
#2 Lockwood and Lloyd spoken introduction –
BD #2 Sax O’ Boogie –
11 BDs September In The Rain –
2 BDs Robbins’ Nest –
-1 ? Robbins’ Nest –
Dedicatory Piece –
-1 Also added to the introduction with Donahue are vocalists Bill Lockwood and Shirley Lloyd.
Note: The date on the label of the test pressing shows July 30, 1948 but this might be the date of the mastering and not the recording date.
Saxophobia was the title shown on the test pressing.
It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(XX) JIMMIE LUNCEFORD AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Charles Stewart, Russell Green, possibly William Scott, Bob Mitchell (tp), Fernando Arbello, Russell Bowles, Earl Hardy, possibly Joe Williams, James Williams (tb), Omer Simeon (cl, as), Kirtland Bradford (as), Joe Thomas (cl, ts), Ernest Purce (ts), Earl Carruthers (bari), Eddie Wilcox (p, arr), John Mitchell (g), Truck Parham (b), Joe Marshall (d), Sy Oliver (arr).
NBC Studio 8-H, Radio City, NYC,
October 2, 1945
Supervised by George T. Simon
alt tk. For Dancers Only (SO-arr) IAJRC 51 (LP)
VP 1598 For Dancers Only (SO-arr) V-Disc 586
VP 1598 What To Do (SO-arr) V-Disc 568
VP 1590 The Jimmies (EW-arr) –
VP 1590 I Need A Lift (EW-arr) –
BD For Dancers Only (SO-arr) unissued
Wham –
unidentified title –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(YY) DON REDMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Paul Cohen, Roger Jones, Dick Vance (tp), Henderson Chambers, Earl Hardy, Sandy Williams (tb), Don Redman (as, arr, vcl), Rudy Powell (as), Foots Thomas, Eddie Williams (ts), Sammy Benskin (p), Jimmy Butts (b), Wilbert Kirk (d), Dolores Brown (vcl).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
November 12, 1943
unidentified supervisor
VP 321 Redman spoken introduction V-Disc 104
VP 321 Pistol Packin’ Mama (DR, band-vcl) (DR-arr) –
VP 322 Redman Blues (DR-arr) –
VP 524 Redman and Brown spoken introduction V-Disc 196
VP 524 Great Day In The Morning (DB-vcl) –
JB 454 Redman spoken introduction V-Disc 804
JB 454 Sneaky Pete (DR, band-vcl) –
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(ZZ) CHARLIE SPIVAK AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Charlie Spivak, Phil Belzer, Neal Hefti, Iggy Greco (tp), Frank D’Annolfo, Herbie Harper, Nelson Riddle (tb), poss. Charles Russo, poss. Sal Pace (as), Frank Ludwig, poss. Don Raffell or Al Padona (ts), Henry Haupt (bari), Lionel Prouting (p), Kenny Whiting (g), Jack Jacobson (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Irene Daye (vcl), Jimmy Mundy (arr).
RCA Victor, NYC,
mid-January 1944
Supervised by Steve Sholes
VP 480 Star Dreams (with Spivak spoken intro) V-Disc 164
VP 480 The General Jumped At Dawn (JM-arr) –
VP 481 I’ll Get By V-Disc 182
VP 481 Arkansas (ID-vcl) –
VP 513 Spivak spoken introduction V-Disc 182
VP 513 Suddenly It’s Spring (ID-vcl) –
VP 486 Besame Mucho V-Disc 164
Note: The personnel for this session came from Spivak but has not been confirmed.
Besame Mucho has been listed as a part of this session but it is from a live remote.
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(AAA) LEE CASTLE AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Lee Castle, 2 unidentified (tp), poss. Andy Russo, unidentified (tb), 2 unidentified (as), 2 unidentified (ts), poss. Manny Albam (bari), Charlie Queener (p), unidentified (g), unidentified (b), Ernie Austin (d), poss. Jack Pleis (arr).
poss. Liederkranz Hall, NYC, late June 1944
VP 778 Castle spoken introduction V-Disc 274 / 54 (Navy)
VP 778 I Get The Blues When It Rains – –
VP 780 Uptown Express V-Disc 293 / 73 (Navy)
VP 785 I’ll Get By unissued
Note: It is not known if I’ll Get By still exists.
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(BBB) TONY PASTOR AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Stubby Pastor, Charles Trotta, 2 unidentified (tp), 3 unidentified (tb), poss. Eddie Rosa, 1 unidentified (as), Tony Pastor (ts, vcl), poss. Stu Anderson, 1 unidentified (ts), unidentified (bari), Les Burness (p), Al Avola (g), unidentified (b), Johnny Morris (d), Patti Powers (vcl).
RCA Victor Studios, NYC,
early November 1943
Supervised by Steve Sholes
VP 436 Pastor spoken introduction V-Disc 171
VP 436 ‘Deed I Do (TP-vcl) V-Disc 171
VP 305 Patti Powers spoken introduction V-Disc 101
VP 305 They’re Either Too Young Or Too Old –
VP 306 Making Whoopee (TP-vcl) –
VP 440 Pastor and Powers spoken intro V-Disc 148
VP 440 How Sweet You Are (TP, PP-vcl) –
VP 504 Braggin’ (TP-vcl) V-Disc 215
Note: Richard Sears V-Disc discography lists Sandy Sandifer as arranger, but it is not certain which charts he arranged.
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(CCC) TONY PASTOR AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Stubby Pastor, Charles Trotta, 2 unidentified (tp), 3 unidentified (tb), poss. Eddie Rosa, 1 unidentified (as), Tony Pastor (ts, vcl), poss. Stu Anderson, Dick Richardson (ts), unidentified (bari), Les Burness (p), Al Avola (g), unidentified (b), Johnny Morris (d, vcl).
unidentified location
poss. Spring 1944
unidentified supervisor
VP 746 Together V-Disc 275 (Army) / 55 (Navy)
VP 595 I’m Confessin’ (TP-vcl) V-Disc 215
VP 595 Pale Moon (TP-vcl) –
VP 726 Paradiddle Joe unissued
VP 746 Schicklegruber (JM-vcl) V-Disc 275 (Army) / 55 (Navy)
VP 748 Jump Boogie unissued
VP 1521 1300 Jump –
Note: It is not known if the unissued titles still exist.
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(DDD) BILL HEATHCOCK AND HIS V-DISC WEST COASTERS -1 / BILL HEATHCOCK AND HIS ORCHESTRA -2: Lou Mitchell, Jimmy Troutman, Jim Hardy, Jack Hayes (tp), Ray Heath, Vic Hamann, Al Sherman, Chuck Preble (tb), Mahlon Clark (cl, as), Wilbur Schwartz (as), Bob Dukoff, Jack Schwartz (ts), Chuck Gentry (bari), Tommy Linehan (p), Tiny Timbrough (g), Artie Shapiro (b), Nat Musicant (d), Anita Boyer (vcl), Bill Heathcock, Otto Helbig (arr).
unidentified studio, Hollywood, Ca.,
January 24, 1946
Supervised by Tony Janak
BD Late At Night (BH-arr) -1 unissued
JDB 16 Late At Night (BH-arr) -1 V-Disc 619
JDB 42 P.S. I Love You (AB-vcl) (BH-arr) -2 V-Disc 646
JDB 42 You’re Not The Kind -2 (BH-arr) –
JDB 17 My Silent Love (AB-vcl) (OH-arr) -1 V-Disc 619
PB #1 Late At Night (BH-arr) -1 previously unissued
PB #2 Late At Night (BH-arr) -1 –
PB #3 Late At Night (BH-arr) -1 –
alt tk. You’re Not The Kind -2 (BH-arr) unissued
alt tk. My Silent Love (AB-vcl) (OH-arr) -1 –
Note: It is not known if the unissued alternate takes still exists.
The order of performance here comes from the lacquer disc.
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Album Index:
LP
Aircheck 30 Charlie Barnet – On The Air
Hep (E) 35 Woody Herman – the V-Disc Years
1944-46 Vol. 2
IAJRC 51 Various Artists – V-Disc Stomp
Jazz Society (Swd) AA 506 Count Basie – The V-Discs Volume 2
CD
Hep (E) 2 Sam Donahue – Convoy – 1945 – Vol. 1
Hep (E) 5 Sam Donahue – lst Party Vol. 2
Hep (E) 12 Buddy Rich – The Legendary ’47-’48 Orchestra
Vol. 1
Hep (E) 34/35 Woody Herman – The V Disc Years, Vol 1&2,
1944-1946
Poss. VJC (C)1018-2 Count Basie – Beaver Junction
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Produced for release by Scott Wenzel
78 rpm, lacquer, LP and CD transfers by Nancy Conforti. Additional 78 transfers by Andreas Meyer and Shane Carroll.
Tape reel transfers by Shane Carroll.
Re-issue mastering engineer and sound restoration: Nancy Conforti and Shane Carroll.
24 bit technology was utilized at all stages of the production of this Mosaic release.
Design production: Beth and Philip Gruber
Special Thanks: Mark Cantor, Chuck Granata, Karl Pearson, Lloyd Rauch, Matthew Rivera, Dennis Spragg and Michael Steinman.
78s were provided by The Institute of Jazz Studies (including those from the Bob Thiele and George T. Simon Collections), Karl Pearson (who supplied tape reels of lacquer sources and rare test pressings), Lloyd Rauch, Dave Weiner and Scott Wenzel.
This compilation ©2025 Mosaic Records L.L.C., Box 113475, Stamford, Ct., 06902. All rights reserved. Phone: 203-327-7111/ e-mail: info@mosaicrecords.com. Web site: www.mosaicrecords.com.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Producer’s Note: The vision of this set was to present recordings on the V-Disc label that were produced exclusively for service men and women during World War II. V-Discs that contain radio broadcasts, concerts and/or recordings made exclusively for other labels, whether they be commercially released 78s or previously unissued masters, are not included here. This also excludes the NBC Monday night broadcasts titled For The Record which starred specific V-Disc artists.
The sound quality will differ from track to track because of the different source material we have had available for us to transfer. Most V-Discs were pressed on vinyl which was lighter and more durable for shipments around the world. Some, however, were pressed on shellac but used the Columbia method of a paper-based disc.
Especially troublesome were finding acceptable condition copies of the following:
Les Brown – Moonglow
Count Basie – Sweet Lorraine
Sam Donahue – ”C” Jam Blues
Charlie Barnet – Skyliner
Charlie Barnet – Blue Skies
Buddy Rich – I’ve Got News For You
Buddy Rich – Good Bait
Although discographies list trombonist Tommy Pederson and his Orchestra as recording Tone Bone for V-Disc, this performance has applause at the start and is thought to be from a Jubilee radio broadcast.
Yank Lawson’s Lady Be Good of February 12, 1945 is listed in discographies as an actual V-Disc session but instead is from a Signature Records session.
Also incorrectly listed in some discographies, as an October 1948 V-Disc session, is Ziggy Elman’s Zaggin’ With Zig. This is from a June 8, 1939 Bluebird session.
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This set is dedicated to the memory of jazz record collector, historian, supporter of the music we love and as a human being, a compassionate individual who we all will miss – John Gibbons.
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