Big Band Collector's Series - 5 Releases (1997-1998)

Original Big Band recordings digitally re-mastered for high quality sound while preserving the authenticity of the timeless recordings. Five volumes of the successful Big Band Collector's Series together. Over 45 songs total!



Artie Shaw (born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky; May 23, 1910 – December 30, 2004) was an American clarinetist, composer, bandleader, and actor. Also an author, Shaw wrote both fiction and non-fiction.

Widely regarded as "one of jazz's finest clarinetists," Shaw led one of the United States' most popular big bands in the late 1930s through the early 1940s. Though he had numerous hit records, he was perhaps best known for his 1938 recording of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine." Prior to the release of "Beguine," Shaw and his fledgling band had languished in relative obscurity for over two years and, after its release, he became a major pop artist within short order. The record eventually became one of the era's defining recordings. Musically restless, Shaw was also an early proponent of what became known much later as Third Stream music, which blended elements of classical and jazz forms and traditions. His music influenced other musicians, such as Monty Norman in England, with the vamp of the James Bond Theme, possibly influenced by "Nightmare," which also has a similar vamp to Kurt Weill's "Lonely House."

Shaw also recorded with small jazz groups drawn from within the ranks of the various big bands he led. He served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1944, (during which time he led a morale-building band that toured the South Pacific amidst the chaos of World War II) and, following his discharge in 1944, he returned to lead a band through 1945. Following the breakup of that band, he began to focus on other interests and gradually withdrew from the world of being a professional musician and major celebrity, although he remained a force in popular music and jazz before retiring from music completely in 1954.

Track List:
01. Stardust (3:28)
02. Frenesi (3:21)
03. Temptation (3:03)
04. Moon Glow (3:14)
05. Nightmare (2:37)
06. Ziguener (2:35)
07. Really The Blues (9:31)
08. La Paloma (3:06)





Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", because of his smooth-toned trombone playing. His technical skill on the trombone gave him renown among other musicians. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey. After Dorsey broke with his brother in the mid-1930s, he led an extremely popular and highly successful band from the late 1930s into the 1950s. He is best remembered for standards such as "Opus One," "Song of India," "Marie," "On Treasure Island," and his biggest hit single "I'll Never Smile Again."

Track List:
01. Opus One (3:02)
02. I'll Never Smile Again (3:50)
03. We'll Git It (2:57)
04. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (2:23)
05. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (3:45)
06. Every Time I Feel The Spirit (3:20)
07. Wade In The Water (3:24)
08. Somebody's Knockin' At Your Door (3:12)
09. Deep River (3:13)
10. Dry Bones (2:40)





Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence the late 1930s and was active until his death in 1987. His bands often played music that was cutting edge and experimental for its time; they received numerous Grammy nominations and awards. Herman and his big band were the featured halftime performers for Super Bowl VII.

Track List:
1. Four Brothers (3:22)
2. Woodchopper's Ball (4:52)
3. Apple Honey (3:33)
4. Goosey Gander (3:41)
5. Northwest Passage (3:07)
6. Blowing Up A Storm (2:53)
7. Wildroot (3:20)
8. Blue Flame (2:57)
9. Bijou (3:07)





Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing".

In the mid-1930s, Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in the United States. His concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 16, 1938 is described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music."

Goodman's bands launched the careers of many major jazz artists. During an era of racial segregation, he led one of the first well-known integrated jazz groups. Goodman performed nearly to the end of his life while exploring an interest in classical music.

Track List:
01. Sing, Sing, Sing (4:23)
02. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree (2:49)
03. My Wild Irish Rose (2:39)
04. When The Saints Go Marching In (3:05)
05. School Days (2:23)
06. Careless Love (3:17)
07. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:27)
08. Cuddle Up A Little Closer (3:07)
09. Bring Back My Bonnie To Me (3:20)
10. Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane (3:08)





Alton Glenn Miller (March 1, 1904 – missing in action December 15, 1944) was an American big band musician, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known big bands. Miller's recordings include "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls", "At Last", "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American Patrol", "Tuxedo Junction", "Elmer's Tune", and "Little Brown Jug". In just four years Glenn Miller scored 23 number one hits - more than Elvis Presley (18 No. 1s, 38 top 10s) and The Beatles (20 No. 1s, 33 top 10s) had in their careers. While he was traveling to entertain U.S. troops in France during World War II, Miller's aircraft disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel.

Track List:
01. Tuxedo Junction (3:50)
02. American Patrol (3:33)
03. Lover's Serenade (2:34)
04. Londonderry Air (2:25)
05. In the Mood (3:33)
06. Pennsylvania 6-5000 (2:56)
07. Chattanooga Choo Choo (3:00)
08. Moonlight Serenade (4:17)
09. Swinging at the Ritz (2:43)
10. A String of Pearls (3:02)



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