The Big Band Almanac (Da Capo Paperback) [Paperback]

Leo Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1989 | Series: Da Capo Paperback

With more than 500 pictures, and extensive entries on more than 350 orchestras, this complete coverage of black and white bands—from the almost-forgotten Basie, Ellington, Miller, Shaw, and Dorsey—will prompt memories and establish important facts about a glorious era of jazz and popular music. Forewords by Les Brown and Harry James and an index with more than 6,000 names bracket a book that should be part of any music library.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leo Walker played trumpet in several Midwest territory bands of the '30s. For ten years he operated his own booking agency in Hollywood where he specialized in handling big bands. A former president of the Hollywood Press Club, he is the author of The Wonderful Era of the Great Dance Bands, and founder of the Big Band Academy of America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Revised edition (March 22, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306803453
• ISBN-13: 978-0306803451
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to old-fashion swing music!, August 9, 2001

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Big Band Almanac (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

The low-key, down home alternative to George Simon's often-lauded "Big Bands," this has a charming, almost DIY, quality to it. The graphic layout is pretty funky, but there are more and better photographs than in Simon's book. Also the writing is less jaded and more breathless, conveying the author's continued enthusiasm for his favorite artists of year gone by. Most significantly, Walker puts all the artists on an equal footing, listing them from A to Z, whereas Simon makes a big distinction between "major" artists, and lesser or non-swing musicians, shunting them to separate sections in the back of the book. Both books are informative, but I have more of a soft spot in my heart for this one -- I'd recommend it first!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Band review, September 23, 2010

By 

sarg - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Band Almanac (Da Capo Paperback) (Paperback)

If you are interested in the big band era this is the book to read. It lists all of the band leaders and most of their sidemen and vocalists. There are many good photos.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Band Almanac, April 18, 2009

By 

Stephanie Waterman (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Band Almanac (Hardcover)

I purchased an autograph book and it had a lot of Big Band people. I purchased the Big Band Almanac and it helped me identify most of the people and gave me information about what all they sang, played or conducted. I recommend this as a great Big Band Reference.