Best jazzbnd Podcasts (2025)

1
Rex Stewart 1940/41 1:11:12

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6d ago1:11:12

1:11:12

The legendary cornetist at the halfway point in his tenure with Duke Ellington, featured on four small group sessions. Two sessions are his own group of Ellingtonians recording for RCA Victor (including Lawrence Brown, Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Ellington, Jimmy Blanton and Sonny Greer) and two for the Hot Record Society . . one of those by Rex Ste…

1
Show - Red Norvo 1943, 44 56:00

6d ago56:00

56:00

Great band featured on V Disc and a live concert at Town Hall . . with Remo Palmieri, Teddy Wilson, Aaron Sachs, Shorty Rogers, Eddie Bert, Slam Stewart, Specs Powell and others, but the real focus is the leader's vibraphone and xylophone.By jazzbnd

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Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra 1937-38 1:05:56

14d ago1:05:56

1:05:56

First blush of Barnet's popular Bluebird big band recording here for Thesaurus Transcriptions with two titles for Variety featuring Frankie Newton. The band features Don McCook on clarinet, Bobby Burnett on trumpet, Don Ruppersberg on trombone, Bus Etri on guitar, Nat Jaffe on piano and James Lamare on baritone sax in addition to the leader playing…

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Show - Aaron Sachs with Red Norvo and Eddie Heywood 57:58

14d ago57:58

57:58

Largely forgotten clarinet player in the late swing/bebop style here featured on 1943/44 recordings with Red Norvo (and Teddy Wilson, Slam Stewart and Remo Palmieri) and Eddie Heywood (with Don Byas, Ray Nance and others)By jazzbnd

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Dick Cathcart - 1950's and 60's West Coast Dixieland 1:02:40

28d ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Little known but dependable and highly original cornet player on the "Pete Kelly's Blues" soundtracks here featured with the Kings of Dixie, Russ Morgan's Wolverines, Ben Pollack's Pic-A-Rib Boys and others . . with Matty Matlock, Eddie Miller, Heinie Beau, Moe Schneider, Ray Sherman, Dick Cary, Nick Fatool, Red Callendar, Walt Yoder and lots of gr…

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Show- John Kirby 1943-46 57:32

28d ago57:32

57:32

Very late period recordings of the renowned John Kirby Sextet for V-Disc, Crown, Asch, Disc, Apollo and live broadcasts. Featuring the original members Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Russell Procope, Billy Kyle and Kirby, there are also guest appearances by Hot Lips Page, Emmett Berry, George Taitt, Clarence Brereton (trumpet), George Johnson, Hil…

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Buddy DeFranco Quartet 1954 1:01:09

1M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Recordings for Verve with DeFranco, Sonny Clark, Gene Wright and Bobby White. Terrific swing to bop standards and originals.By jazzbnd

1
Show - Red Allen and the small groups . .1934-39 57:08

1M ago57:08

57:08

New Orleans trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen featured with Buster Bailey's Chocolate Dandies (with Benny Carter, J.C. Higginbotham, Danny Barker, Walter Johnson), Benny Morton and His Orchestra (Jerry Blake, Ed Inge, Teddy McRae), Jimmy (James P.) Johnson and His Orchestra (Higginbotham, Gene Sedric, Sid Catlett, Pops Foster) and Lionel Hampton and His …

1
Putney Dandridge with Red Allen 1:01:07

1M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Great 1935-36 sessions for Vocalion featuring the singer and entertainer with a band led by the New Orleans trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen - also featuring Buster Bailey, Joe Marsala, Teddy Wilson, James Sherman, Clyde Hart, Eddie Condon, Wilson Myers, John Kirby and Cozy ColeBy jazzbnd

1
Show- Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

Superb chamber jazz featuring Shaw on clarinet with either Billy Butterfield or Roy Eldridge on trumpets, Johnny Guarnieri on harpischord (!), Dodo Marmarosa on piano, Al Hendrickson or Barney Kessel on guitar, Jud DeNaut or Morrie Rayman on bass, Morey Feld or Lou Fromm on durms. Two bonus (live) tracks with Shaw soloing with Count Basie's band an…

1
Wilbur DeParis' New New Orleans Jazz 1950, 51 1:09:19

2M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

The early version of the DeParis Brothers' band live from Jimmy Ryan's and featuring Wilbur on trombone, Sidney on trumpet, Omer Simeon on clarinet, Don Kirkpatrick and Norman Lester on piano, Eddie Gibbs and Danny Barker on banjo and Freddie Moore on drums.By jazzbnd

1
Show - Roy Eldridge and His Orchestra 1944-46 54:43

2M ago54:43

54:43

Excellent big band led by trumpeter Eldridge in the middle 1940's before and after his tenure with Artie Shaw. Arrangements by Elton Hill, Buster Harding and others featuring him with Sandy Williams on trombone, Porter Kilbert, Joe Eldridge and Edmond Gregory (Sahib Shihab) on alto, Franz Jackson and Tom Archia on tenors, Duke Jordan on piano, Sam …

1
Bebop Clarinet - Stan Hasselgard 1947-8 1:03:50

2M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

A protege of Benny Goodman's at the end of his life, Hasselgard had a short but eventful career. After coming to the US in 1946 or so, he played with many big names, including Teddy Wilson, Red Norvo, Barbara Carroll, Barney Kessel, Wardell Gray and Goodman himself. These are three sessions issued under Hasselgard's name as well as four airchecks f…

1
Show - Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra 1941-43 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

Millinder went from fronting the Mills Blue Rhythm Band in the 1930's to leading his own, more blues-based group in the 1940's and 50's. This first edition recorded for Decca and included musicians like Stafford Simon and Sam "The Man" Taylor on tenors, Ernest Purce on baritone, Tab Smith and Ted Barnett on altos with a cameo from Buster Bailey on …

1
Red Allen and the blues singers of the 1930's 1:02:17

2M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

The great New Orleans trumpeter Allen accompanies singers for Decca and Vocalion - Victoria Spivey, Rosetta Howard, Trixie Smith, Blue Lu Barker and the remarkable Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon . . also featuring Lil Armstrong, Ulysses Livingston, Sammy Price, Wellman Braud, Sid Catlett, Barney Bigard, Rupert Cole, Albert Nicholas, Charlie Holmes, Luis…

1
Show- Peanuts Hucko on V Disc, 1947-48 57:53

2M ago57:53

57:53

Great series of V-Disc sessions featuring the clarinetist Hucko as leader (with Lou Stein, Mundell Lowe, Jack Lesberg, Dave Tough, Bobby Hackett, Cliff Strickland and Fred Ohms) and with Joe Bushkin (with Liza Morrow, Buck Clayton, Roy Eldridge, Ernie Caceres, Morey Feld, Ohms) and Johnny Blowers (with Chris Griffin, Bill Stegmeyer, Herb Winfield, …

1
The Jazzworthy Glenn Miller - live, 1938-41 1:12:33

2M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

Great performances taken from radio broadcasts, live dates and concerts featuring the jazz side of the Miller Orchestra . . solos by Bob Price, Clyde Hurley and John Best (trumpet), Willie Schwartz and Ernie Caceres (clarinet), Hal McIntyre (alto), Tex Beneke and Al Klink (tenor), Chummy McGregor (piano) and Moe Purtill (drums)…

1
Show- Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1936-1937 56:11

2M ago56:11

56:11

Little known black band of the 1930's here featured in their last set of recordings for Columbia and Variety. The first set has Red Allen on trumpet, JC Higginbotham on trombone and Joe Garland on tenor and bass sax . .the second group has the reorganized band with Charlie Shavers and Harry Edison on trumpet, Harry Arnold on tenor, Wilbur DeParis o…

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Bob Howard and His Orchestra 1:02:22

3M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Singer and pianist (born Howard Joyner) had a long series of recordings for Decca in the 1930's - these feature Manny Klein, Benny Carter, Rex Stewart, Buster Bailey, Barney Bigard, Russell Procope, Ben Webster, Teddy Wilson, Clarence Holiday, Elmer James, Billy Taylor and Cozy ColeBy jazzbnd

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Show- Frank Newton's Cafe Society Orchestra with Billie Holiday 58:21

3M ago58:21

58:21

Great small swing band led by trumpeter Newton with alto and soprano sax player Tab Smith as music director and arranger -in 1939 it recorded six instrumental sides for Vocalion and backed Billie Holiday on three sessions (two for Vocalion and one for Commodore) although Hot Lips Page and Charlie Shavers replaced Newton on the Vocalion Holiday side…

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Blue Lu Barker - Lil Hardin Armstrong 1:01:47

3M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Several Decca sessions from the mid to late 1930's featuring Barker and Armstrong leading bands performing their own tunes - Chu Berry, Robert Carroll, Buster Bailey, Joe Thomas, Charlie Shavers, Teddy Cole, Ulysses Livingston, Danny Barker, Wellman Braud, O'Neil Spencer and others!By jazzbnd

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Show - Casa Loma Orchestra, 1939-40 57:43

3M ago57:43

57:43

The Casa Loma Orchestra (a collective organization led by Glen Gray) was one of the most influential and imitated white dance bands of the early 1930's. By 1939 the band was largely the same, but they had transitioned to a more conventional swing style featuring soloists Grady Watts and Sonny Dunham on trumpet, Billy Rauch and Pee Wee Hunt on tromb…

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Show - Johnny Dodds 1926-1928 55:01

3M ago55:01

55:01

Great Chicago sessions featuring the New Orleans clarinetist leading the New Orleans Wanderers, New Orleans Bootblacks and Chicago Footwarmers . . with George Mitchell, Natty Dominique, Kid Ory, Honore Dutrey, Joe Clark/Walker, Lil Armstrong, Jimmy Blythe, Baby Dodds, Bill Johnson, Johnny St. Cyr and others.…

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Scatman Crothers! 1:06:57

3M ago1:06:57

1:06:57

Great jazz sessions featuring the singer, drummer, guitarist and comic Benjamin Sherman Crothers . . ranging from 1944-77, these bands feature Vic Dickenson, Babe Russin, Paul Smith, Al Hendrickson, Marshall Royal, Snooky Young, Freddie Green, Ray Brown, Ray Bryant and Louis Bellson.By jazzbnd

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Show - Adrian Rollini and the big bands 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

Rollini playing bass sax in both solo and bass line with a variety of late 1920's big bands - Ted Wallace (the California Ramblers), Fred Elizalde, The Dorsey Brothers, Ben Selvin, Rube Bloom, Cornell Smelser . .with the Dorsey Brothers, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Stan King, Babe Russin, Chelsea Quealy, Bobby Davis and many others…

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Red Nichols - jazz sides, 1929, 30 1:05:07

4M ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Focus on the jazzier records done by the prolific cornetist Red Nichols, who by the late 1920's was concentrating on more commercial music. Sides released as by the Louisiana Rhythm Kings (Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Miff Mole, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Pee Wee Russell, Fud Livingston, Joe Sullivan, Gene Krupa) and on radio transcriptions (Mil…

1
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - live at the Village Vanguard 1967 and 68 58:27

4M ago58:27

58:27

Two dates featuring the classic band - featuring the leaders along with Richard Williams and Snooky Young on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer and Garnett Brown on trombones, Eddie Daniels on clarinet and tenor sax, Joe Farrell on tenor and flute, Jerome Richardson on soprano, alto and flute, Jerry Dodgion on alto, Pepper Adams on bar, Hank Jones and Roland …

1
Charlie Parker - Swing! 1940, 44 1:15:26

4M ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Two sessions firmly based in the Swing Era featuring the great bebop alto player Charlie Parker - first are the "Wichita Transcriptions" of 1940, featuring members of the Jay McShann band, including Parker, Bob Mabane and William Scott on tenors, Orville Minor and Bob Anderson on trumpets, McShann on piano, Gene Ramey on bass and Gus Johnson on dru…

1
Dixieland on the Jump Label - featuring Rosy McHargue 58:46

4M ago58:46

58:46

Rosy McHargue had a career as a clarinet and sax player stretching back to the 1920's, but he spend almost ten years with Ted Weems band, playing and arranging. By the middle 1940's he lived in the Los Angeles area and was playing up and down the coast with a dixieland band that took its cue from the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (his first great in…

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Red Nichols and His Five Pennies - 1948, 49 1:01:33

4M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Terrific little band at the beginning of its seventeen year life . . Red Nichols on cornet and arrangements, King Jackson on trombone, Reuell Lynch, Matty Matlock and Rosey McHargue on clarinets, Don Lodice on tenor sax, Bobby Hammack on piano, Joe Rushton on bass sax and Rollie Culver on drums - recording for Jump and Lang-Worth.…

1
Tab Smith - United Recordings 1951-57 56:21

4M ago56:21

56:21

Smith played lead alto and jazz for the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Count Basie, Lucky Millinder, Frankie Newton and on many recording dates during the 1930's and 40's. After a short retirement in the late 40's he was lured into United's recording studios and had several hits in a sort of combination Swing/Bop/R&B style - his sidemen included organist …

1
Show - BritBop . . great bebop sides from England 58:47

4M ago58:47

58:47

Brit Bop II - WETF Show featuring the music of Ronnie Scott and his groups, 1946-55. Featuring Jimmy Deuchar, Derek Humble, Benny Green, Spike Robinson, Vic Lewis, Ralph Sharon, Dave Goldberg, Tony Crosbie, Jack Parnell, Ken Wray and other British bebop luminaries .By jazzbnd

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Show - James P Johnson and the blues 1:00:02

4M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

WETF Show - James P Johnson and the blues singers . . Stride legend backing Ethel Waters, Rosa Henderson, Clara Smith and Bessie Smith in the 1920's and early 30'sBy jazzbnd

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Show- Benny Morton 1:03:01

4M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Prolific and consistent trombonist whose career began in the 1920's with Fletcher Henderson here featured in his own small groups and with other swing stars like Harry Carney, Edmund Hall and othersBy jazzbnd

1
Show - Harry Carney 59:19

4M ago59:19

59:19

Ellington's great baritone saxophonist Harry Carney in a variety of small group settings from the 1930's and 40's with fellow Ellingtonians and many othersBy jazzbnd

1
Show - Ronnie Scott - British Hard Bop 59:08

4M ago59:08

59:08

Legendary British tenor player during the 1950’s and 60’s in sessions with Tubby Hall, Zoot Sims, Victor Feldman, Dizzy Reese, Derek Humble, Ken Wray, Jimmy Deucher and othersBy jazzbnd

1
Show - Oscar Peterson and the tenor saxes 1:03:28

4M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Oscar Peterson and the tenor saxes . . a selection from Verve/Clef/Mercury albums of the mid to late 1950's featuring the Peterson trio and quartet (including Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Buddy Rich, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen and Alvin Stoller) backing up Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Flip Philips and Stan Getz ---…

1
Roy Eldridge and the Big Bands 1941-44 1:10:56

4M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

A series of the great trumpeter's recordings with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa and Charlie Barnet - featuring all those leaders along with Dodo Marmarosa, Vernon Brown, Jon Walton and othersBy jazzbnd

1
Show - the Boswell Sisters 1930-34 58:10

4M ago58:10

58:10

Connie, Martha and Vet Boswell were raised in New Orleans and evolved a highly complex style of trio singing based on the Jazz of the 1920's and 30's . . they were each accomplished musicians (Martha plays piano on many of these tracks) and discerning in their choice of sidemen - Bunny Berigan, Mannie Klein, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Art Schutt, …

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Johnny Dodds- duos and trios 1926-29 59:54

4M ago59:54

59:54

The great New Orleans clarinetist heard here in the most elemental from possible - in a duo with pianist Tiny Parham, trios with Jimmy Blythe on piano and W.E. Burton on drums, Lil Armstrong on piano and Bud Scott on guitar and either Armstrong or Charlie Alexander on piano and Bill Johnson on drums.…

1
Red Nichols and His Five Pennies - 1944, 45 58:07

4M ago58:07

58:07

When Nichols came out of his temporary retirement during the WWII years, he put together a much more modern group than he had before or after. This sextet featured the very late swing and even Bebop influenced arrangements of Heinie Beau as well as his superb clarinet playing. He is matched the the tenor player Herbie Haymer and a rhythm section th…

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Show - Willie Smith . .1940's and 50's 1:02:17

4M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

WETF Show The Willies - 1940's and 50's small group sessions by the remarkable alto saxist Willie Smith - known for his years playing lead for Lunceford and Harry James, Smith was a stylist on alto and a good arranger as well. He is presented here with his own groups as well as ones led by Nat King Cole, Billie Holliday, Al Casey, Corky Corcoran, G…

1
Show - Eddie Heywood Sextet 59:10

4M ago59:10

59:10

Just You, Just Eddie Heywood . . the fine pianist leading his 1940's sextet on recordings made for Commodore, VDisc and Decca and featuring Doc Cheatham, Dick Vance, Henry Parr Jones, Vic Dickenson, Henry Coker, Lem Davis, Marshall Royal, Al Lucas, Jack Parker and others, with a guest appearance by Bing Crosby…

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Show - Territory Bands of the Southwest 58:58

4M ago58:58

58:58

Great regional bands of the late 1920's from the Southwest and Midwest featuring up and coming players like Julia Lee, Budd Johnson, Jimmy Crawford, Buster Smith, Hot Lips Page, Jimmy Rushing, Jack Washington and Walter Page with several well known local groups who were fortunate enough to make records!…

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Show - Tony Scott and the 52nd Street All Stars 59:49

4M ago59:49

59:49

52nd Street All Stars - the great clarinetist Tony Scott put together an album for Coral in 1958 celebrating the 52nd Street scene from the 1930's and 40's - featuring Bebop players like Red Rodney, George Wallington and Roy Haynes, transitional players like Al Cohn, Mundell Lowe and Tommy Flannagan and Swing stars like Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Rus…

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Show - Jay McShann and His Orchestra featuring Charlie Parker 56:49

4M ago56:49

56:49

The last great Kansas City big band from 1940-43 featuring Charlie Parker as its main soloist, although pianist McShann was one of the best of his generation. Live broadcasts and studio sessions for Decca show this important transitional group which also has Orville Minor, Paul Quinichette, John Sparrow and John Jackson soloing as well as singer Wa…

1
Johnny Dodds and Jimmy Blythe 1:05:09

5M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

Chamber Jazz from New Orleans via Chicago . .Dodds along with pianist Blythe, trumpeter Natty Dominique and drummer Baby Dodds are featured on most of the tracks, calling to mind the band the Dodds brothers had at Kelly's Stables during this period - also with R.Q. Dickerson on trumpet, Bud Scott on banjo, Jimmy Bertrand and Jasper Taylor on washbo…

1
Adrian Rollini - Chamber Jazz, 1927 59:24

5M ago59:24

59:24

Rollini was primarily known for his work on bass saxophone, but he was adept on piano, goofus and hot fountain pen, all of which are heard on these sides, made in the spring and fall of 1927. He is here with Red Nichols' Five Pennies (with Miff Mole, Jimmy Dorsey, Pee Wee Russell, Art Schutt, Vic Berton), Joe Venuti's Blue Four (with Eddie Lang) an…

1
Lester Young on Savoy- 1944, 45, 46, 49 57:42

5M ago57:42

57:42

Legendary tenor sax player Young had just left Basie's band when he recorded a session with Johnny Guarnieri for Savoy (with Billy Butterfield, Hank D'Amico and Cozy Cole), starting a short but fruitful partnership with the label - later sessions featured him with the Count Basie rhythm section (Basie, Freddie Green, Rodney Richardson and Shadow Wi…

1
Show- Clyde Hart .. Dixieland to Bebop 1:03:42

5M ago1:03:42

1:03:42

Clyde Hart . . unheralded pianist who recorded with everyone from Red Allen and Eddie Condon to Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. A transitional figure from swing to bop, Hart died of TB at the very moment he was being embraced by the modernists. This is a selection of recordings made during 1944 and 45 (he died in March, 1945) featuring Hart wit…

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