Artie Shaw and his Orchestra

Spotlight Bands Radio Broadcasts From 1945

      Artie Shaw was a clarinet genius and one of the more controversial bandleaders from the Big Band era. There is no controversy, however, concerning Shaw's music. It was stimulating. It soared. It packed a punch. In short... it swung!

While Shaw led a number of outstanding aggregations since first becoming a bandleader in1936, his 1944-1945 band is considered by many (and even by Shaw himself!) to be one of his best. It boasted such talents as trumpeter Roy Eldridge, trombonist/arranger Ray Conniff, guitarist Barney Kessel, bop pianist Dodo Marmarosa, and saxophonist Chuck Gentry.

This CD contains five15-minute airchecks from the Spotlight Bands radio program from the fall of 1945 as Shaw and company played for various military installations and hospitals throughout California. The music is exciting and crisp and is saturated with Shaw's ever-present lyrical clarinet. Some thrilling small group jazz is also well-represented by the renowned Grammercy Five.

Since Shaw's passing on Dec. 30, 2004, at age 94, the canon of his music becomes more treasured to both the serious jazz aficionado and the casual collector a like.

This is vintage Artie Shaw!

Rating:  *****

Artie Shaw: Spotlight Bands Radio Broadcasts From 1945, is $10, plus $2.50 for shipping and handing. To order, e-mail jazzconnection@hotmail.com  

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