Customer Reviews

1909-1942: Collectables Jazz Classics

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Roland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan, born on November 2, 1908 in Hilbert, Wisconsin, is widely regarded as one of the very best trumpet players to emerge in the Big Band Era, having honed his talent with some of the greatest names of the time such as Benny Goodman, Hal Kemp, Abe Lyman, The Dorsey Brothers (and then Tommy Dorsey after the brothers split), Paul Whiteman and Glenn Miller, as well as working a session trumpeter with such as Freddy Martin and Ben Selvin.

From 1936 to 1938 he then led his own orchestra, a period in which he recorded prolifically for Vocalion and Victor, posting 13 hit singles while employing a host of musicians, among them drummers Buddy Rich, Davey Tough, Jack Sperling and George Wetling. trombonists Bob Jenney, Al Jennings and Ray Conniff, clarinetists/saxophonists Gus Bivona and Georgie Auld, vocalists Danny Richards, Ruth Bradley, Jayne Dover, Helen Ward, Kathleen Lane and Dick Morgan (also guitarist), pianists Joe Bushkin, Joe Lipman and Buddy Koss, bass players Sid Weiss, Morty Stuhlmaker and Hank Wayland, trumpeters Carl "Bama" Warwick, Steve Lipkins and Harry Goodman, alto saxophonists Hymie Shertzer, Joe Dixon (also clarinet), Clyde Rounds and Milton Schatz, and harmonica playerTommy Morgan.

None among these original recordings, which originally appeared on the Vee-Jay Epitaph LP 4003, and presented here by Collectables, were among his hits although at least three (Frankie And Johnny - Victor 25816 - 1937), Mahogany Hall Stomp (Victor 25622 - 1937) and The Wearing Of The Green (Victor 25872 - 1938) came out as singles.

The sound quality is excellent and there are liner notes by the late Leonard Feather, himself a well-known British jazz pianist, composer and producer who also wrote extensively about music.

Bunny Berigan accomplished a lot and left behind a vast array of some of the best Big Band music you will ever hear, especially considering that, being a noted heavy drinker, he passed away June 2, 1942 at the tender young age of 33!