Swing

Del Courtney was among the most popular Big Band leaders of the golden age of swing. Getting his start in the Al Hill Orchestra, Del soon found fame when he formed his own band at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, Calif., in 1939. He established himself as "The Old Smoothie" and created a band ideal for hotel ballrooms. He later had success incorporating Hawaiian themes in his music, originating the "Sylvania Television Program" and becoming the official band director for the Oakland Raiders football team.

Daniel Glass is the noted drummer for the Royal Crown Review, which helped renew popularity for swing music beginning in the 1990s. Daniel has studied the art form of drumming in all forms of American popular music and has become an expert, author and teacher on the subject with a focus on jazz drumming and innovative percussive products of the 1920s and ‘30s. Daniel has created several programs that he has used to form unique clinics for music retailers and educational groups around the world. His passion for drum history is not only interesting but infectious.

Max Herman played his first professional music job at the age of 13. He has since enjoyed a stellar music career as the first trumpeter for many of the top name bands of the Swing Era. Most notably, Max was the first trumpet in the Bob Crosby Orchestra. His second career was that of music publisher, forming Fiesta Music and Herman Music. His third career was that of President of the Musicians Union, for which he is credited for many advances of that organization.

Frank Nelson played trumpet and cornet during the swing era, touring with Alvino Rey’s Orchestra among others. He arranged music for the bands, both small groups and the larger outfits and worked on a wide range of materials during his long career. In later years he worked in recording studios, television and the movies. Frank was a product consultant for Yamaha, where he worked with his long time friend and fellow musician, Karl Bruhn. Frank’s passion for music was apparent in all that he did.  Even into his 90s Frank continued arranging for trumpet groups and orchestras.