Band Leaders

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Manny Albam was taught how to arrange jazz for a big band while working with Georgie Auld's Orchestra. Georgie's arranger at the time was Budd Johnson who took Manny under his wing. Manny developed into one of the most noted arrangers and composers of jazz music particularly during the 1950s. Leonard Bernstein and Stan Kenton personally sought out Manny for projects as did Count Basie and Thad Jones. Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives and RCA.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Memo Bernabei led a popular society orchestra during the great Big Band Era. As a saxophonist, Memo cut his teeth within such bands as those lead by Jan Garber and Ray Pearl. He remained popular even as the musical styles changed in the 1940s and 50s. His band was the top attraction at the Chateau Ballroom in Los Angeles as well as the Golden West Ballroom in Norwalk, California. Even into his 90s, Memo continued to perform the music he loved including on

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Les Brown and His Band of Renown was among the most popular orchestras during the swing era. His recording of "Sentimental Journey" (with vocals by Doris Day) was often considered the homecoming theme song of World War II. The band's countless performances with Bob Hope's USO shows forever placed Les in the hearts of millions as did his string of hit recordings including his theme song "Leap Frog." Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives and MCA.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Bobby Byrne played trombone with such control and tenderness that Tommy Dorsey once remarked, "You sit on the edge of your seat waiting to feel the next note." Bobby's long career in the big bands included gigs with Tommy Dorsey and his brother Jimmy Dorsey before Bobby established his own band in 1939. The songwriters Peter de Rose and Mitchell Parish (who also wrote "Stardust") were so impressed by Bobby's melodic playing that they wrote his theme song,

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Cab Calloway was the hip cat of the Big Band Era, leading a swinging orchestra and charting hit recordings. His flamboyant stage personality landed Cab acting roles on Broadway and in the movies (the Blues Brothers and the Cincinnati Kid among others). And his musical knowledge and ability to foster the talent in others opened the doors for such Jazz greats as Chu Berry, Doc Cheatham, Milt Hinton, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Benny Carter was among the most creative jazz composers and arrangers in a career that spanned the 1930s through the 1990s. He first recorded with Charlie Johnson's Orchestra in 1928 and worked with Duke Ellington and Teddy Wilson before forming his own band. Benny composed several songs now considered jazz standards including "When Lights Are Low" and "Key Largo" and received several awards for his contributions to jazz including being inducted into the

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Johnny Catron formed his first band in Boston back in 1939, but gained fame as a bandleader and songwriter when he reformed his band following World War II in Southern California. Johnny was a whiz at writing bouncy and danceable tunes just right for the swing era. Johnny opened his own automobile dealership in Pomona, California in 1952 and later became one of the first Volkswagen and Porsche dealers in the U.S. The dealership allowed him to finance the

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.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Larry Elgart led a dance band with his brother, Les, which recorded a number of bestselling albums beginning in the 1950s. Their "Campus Hop" album was among the first of its kind to focus on the college audience and became a top seller in 1954. A few years later, Larry and Les wrote a song "Bandstand Boogie" for Dick Clark's American Bandstand dance program, which remained the theme song for the show until it went off the air. Larry enjoyed a resurgence

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Chuck Foster was a bandleader's bandleader! During the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 40s, Chuck promoted radio and live performances of up and coming musicians and singers as well as other bandleaders. His interest was to promote the music...and he did! His band, formed in the late 1930s, enjoyed long engagements at several of the country's top ballrooms including Biltmore Bowl in Los Angeles and the Chase Hotel in St.

Gordon Goodwin’s incredible musical journey as a musician, bandleader, composer, and arranger could be traced back to the influence of Count Basie. Basie led a big band during the swing era and was often remembered for the band’s tightness and its driving rhythm section. Gordon’s many musical organizations, including the popular Big Phat Band, were often described in a similar way. Based in Los Angeles, Gordon and his band were active for decades in recording studios, on movie sound stages, and in live musical events. His bands appeared regularly at Disneyland and were heard with

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Lionel Hampton helped bring the vibraphone to jazz with a series of important recordings and a long career as a musician and bandleader. He famously worked with Benny Goodman from 1936 until 1940 when Lionel found his own orchestra which had huge success in the United States and abroad. His theme song, "Flying Home" has become a standard within jazz along with several of his hits over the years including "Airmail Special."  

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ernie Heckscher is perhaps best known for leading a society style orchestra during the Big Band Era. His smooth arrangements were perfect for hotel ballrooms that catered to a wide age range. Ernie toured his orchestra in big cities such as Memphis and Chicago but found his greatest success (and a very loyal audience) in San Francisco. There his band performed at the Palace Hotel, the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the Fairmont. In fact, he was booked in the Fai

Ted Herbert was a well known bandleader during the great big band era who opened a store on Manchester, NH to help him get the repair service he needed for his own road band. Although his band worked steady long after swings golden days, Ted found the store a nice place to come home to. NAMM's interview with him is a wonderful history of the music retail environment after World War II and his own history as a bandleader during that era.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Dick Jurgens formed a popular dance band during the big band era and enjoyed a string of hit recordings, several which he composed. The ever-humble songwriter and musician, Dick rarely bragged about the success of his dance band, the sellout crowds, and the long engagements at some of the country's top ballrooms. He did however, like to boast that Eddie Howard, one of the great singers of the era, got his start in Dick's band.

Jerry Lopez credits his deep musical foundation to his upbringing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where his father, Gilberto Lopez, had Jerry and his siblings performing professionally from a very young age. In 1975, the family moved to Las Vegas in a converted school bus, eventually establishing themselves as the "musicians' musicians" of the Strip. Jerry is most renowned as the founder and leader of Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, a 15-piece powerhouse that has served as a "Monday night" sanctuary for professional players and touring legends for over 20 years.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray McKinley provided a swinging and consistent rhythm behind several big bands during the 1930s and 40s. He worked with the Dorsey Brothers, Will Bradley and Glenn Miller before forming his own orchestra. His influential drumming behind Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band has been cited by many percussionists as a launching point for their own passion. He also wrote a method book that was widely used for beginner drummers and he often held clinics in musi

This audio-only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Hal Pruden was a noted pianist (sometimes billed as the world’s fastest piano player) for a series of bandleaders during the Big Band Era. Hal performed with Chuck Foster and Bob Crosby before he formed his own dance band in 1946. His orchestra was the headliner for some of the nation’s top hotels, several of which would broadcast his concerts live on radio, such as the Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee.

Roby Turner moved to Las Vegas as a teenager and soon embraced the rich and diverse musical landscape of the city. He played for a number of groups, big and small, in dives, bars and showrooms all around the city. He soon learned the names of bar owners and convinced them to hire musicians to play regular gigs and attract customers. He even built stages in some bars assisting the owners in bringing live music to their venue. Roby assumed the roles of bandleader, producer and concert promoter, booking acts all across the city. Along the way, he slowly purchased pro audio and pro li

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Raymond Scott was a noted bandleader and songwriter during the Big Band Era who achieved fame for supplying music to countless Warner Brother cartoons. Raymond was also an innovative electronic music engineer, who not only created special sounds for his own compositions but also developed electronic instrumentation such as the Electronium. In the 1950s, Bob Moog, who designed circuits for Raymond, often cited him as a major influence and mentor.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Artie Shaw was among the most popular band leaders during the great Big Band Era of the 1930s and 40s! His fine musicianship earned him the nickname the "King of the Clarinet" and his orchestra recorded a long string of hit recording's including "Begin the Beguine," "Moonglow," and "Frenesi." As the big bands began losing popularity in the 1950s, Artie turned his attention to straight-ahead jazz, proving his vast abilities as a clarinetist.  

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Paul Weston was an arranger for several dance bands before forming his own orchestra during the Big Band Era. He arranged for Tommy Dorsey's band and wrote several arrangements for Rudy Vallée's radio program, beginning in the 1930s. It was Paul who convinced Tommy Dorsey to hire the singing group the Pied Pipers to perform with the band. They famously backed up Frank Sinatra on the crooner's early recording a few years later. Paul also had a very success