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Moonlight Serenade
Over thirty years ago, Vince Giordano organized his First Nighthawk ensemble to interpret the Fine, though sadly neglected, jazz and pop oF the late 1920's and early-to-mid 1930's. Since then, artistic and common-tense considerations have enlarged significantly the band's repertoire to the point that "Jazz Age" material is only one oF the Nighthawks' strengths. This show is a collection oF Big Band standards. I think you will Find that these performances exceed those presented by organizations that specialize in the period. 1. IN THE MOOD The "hook" of this Swing Era standard originated with Wingy Manone's 1930 'Tar Paper Stomp". This was followed by Horace Henderson's "Hot and Anxious" (1932). Three years after, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band recorded "There's Rhythm In Harlem", the prototype For this arrangement immortalized by Glenn Miller. The highlight For yours truly is the personal solo declaration from trumpeter Peter Ecklund. 2. PENNSYLVANIA 6-5000 A somewhat brisker-than-usual reading of the Big Band perennial introduced by the Miller band. Note the solo From Bill Overton, whose "Walton's Mountain" looks belie a swinging and borderline-dirty tenor sound. 3. ONE O'CLOCK JUMP Vince Giordano s Nighlhawks do right by this Count Basie favorite. Once again, the band successfully captures the flavor of the
originating band and, in this case, the "All-American Rhythm Section" of the Basic power- house. 4. I CAN'T GET STARTED Introduced by Bob Hope and Eve Arden in the "Ziegfeld Follies of 1936", this Vernon Duke song was recorded two times by Bunny Berigan (.once with vocal by Red McKenzie) before he Finalized it in 1937. The Nighthawks' version is a feature for Dave Brown, with a crooning vocal from John Leiterl. And dig Arnie Kinsella's brush work! 5. DON'T BE THAT WAY Introduced by Chick Webb's Orchestra in 1934. This tune was written by Edgar Sampson. Benny Goodman's name was added four years later, when BG recorded the Webb arrangement Cheard here) in 1938. Mel Keller on clarinet. Peter Ecklund's trumpet. 6. TUXEDO JUNCTION Another selection (rom the Miller library by way of Erskine Hawkins. A gracefully swinging performance, with a seemingly effortless solo from Peter Ecklund. 7. JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE If not for the fidelity, I'd swear I was listening to a "Famous Door" remote! Herb Gardner starts out this Count Basie swinger splendidly. Bill Overton wails admirably. Joel Helleny wah-wahs wonderfully. The alto work of Me) Keller and Chuck Wilson follows, then back to Herb. Arnie Kinsella holds the show together in the best Jo Jones manner. 8. SONG OF INDIA When Paul Whiteman popularized this Rimsky - Korsakov melody in the 1920's, he couldn't have foreseen what one of his orchestra's alumni, Tommy Dorsey, would do with it the next decade. Joel Helleny captures the Dorsey sound in his solo efforts. Peter Ecklund's playing is most Beriganesque. 9. MOONLIGHT SERENADE The romantic side of the Miller Orchestra is explored here by the 'Hawks. What a beautiful sound! The arrangement is a combined work by one-time Nighthawk Terry Myers with a segue to the Will Hudson orchestration. 10. STRING OF PEARLS A swinger from the Miller book. Mel Keller lakes the alto solo. Strong work from Bill Overtoil. Plus an accurate rendition of Bobby Hackett's solo from Peter Ecklund. Nice muled brass and proper piano from Herb Gardner. 11. YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU This was already a veteran tune (1913) when a chubby-cheeked Judy Garland sang it in MGM's "Broadway Melody of 1938". This Night- hawks performance Cand Dave Brown's lyrical soloing) is based on Harry James' hit recording. 12. LITTLE BROWN JUG Here's the Bid Finegan arrangement that brought tears to June Allyson Cand most everybody else who saw 'The Glenn Miller Story"). A solid, leisurely swinging performance from Vince Giordano's Nighthawks. 13. BEGIN THE BEGUINE Another song originating along the Great White Way. This Cole Porter tune was introduced in his 1935 show "Jubilee". CWhich also gave us "Just One of Those Things".) This Jerry Gray arrangement put the Artie Shaw band on the map. 14. TAKE THE "A" TRAIN This Billy Strayhorn composition features tasty muted and open trumpet work from Peter Ecklund that is most faithful to Ray Nance's original.
RICH CONATY, host of THE B16 BROADCAST. WFUV 90.7 FM and WFUV.ORG.
Song Titles
1) In The Mood
2) Pennslyvania 6-5000
3) One Oclock Jump
4) I Can't Get Started
5) Don't Be That Way
6) Tuxedo Junction
7) Jumpin' At The Woodside
8) Song Of India
9) Moonlight Serenade
10) String Of Pearls
11) You Made Me Love You
12) Little Brown Jug
13) Begin The Beguine
14) Take The "A" Train
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Vince Giordano
In 30 years as a bandleader, Vince Giordano has become the authority on recreating the sounds of 1920s and '30s jazz and popular music. Giordano and h...