Charlie Barnet Orchestra: 1941 CD

Charlie Barnet's orchestra was called "the blackest white band of them all," by both Metronome and Down Beat Magazines. Heavily influenced by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and to a lesser extent Jimmie Lunceford, Barnet's music was carefully constructed around the musical concepts of "black" jazz. Barnet paved the way for integration in swing orchestras.

1941 was a busy year for Charlie Barnet; on this particular date, he cut no less than 25 titles as radio transcriptions. Lena Horne and Rob Carroll each sing one tune apiece on the original Hep Records release, but this Circle reissue includes one additional vocal performance by Horne and two additional vocal performances by Carroll. Bobby Burnet (trumpet), Bill Miller (piano), Bus Entri (guitar) and Barnet himself on soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones all perform inspired solos. Many of the charts on 1941 were smartly arranged by Horace Henderson, and the band swings with panache on "Little John Ordinary," "Uptown Blues," and Barnet's theme song "Redskin Rhumba."

w. His Orch. inc. vocalists Lena Horne & Bob Carroll

Digitally remastered by Ray Norman.

Recorded at Liederkranz Hall, Germany on January, 27, 1941. Includes liner notes by Dave Dexter, Jr.

Personnel: Charlie Barnet (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lena Horne, Bob Carroll (vocals); Bus Etri (guitar); Conn Humphreys, James Lamare (saxophone, alto saxophone); Kurt Bloom (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lenny White (saxophone); Leo White (alto saxophone); Lyman Vunk, Bob Burnet, George Esposito, Bernie Privin (trumpet); Ford Leary, Claude "Spud" Murphy, Don Ruppersberg, Bill Robertson (trombone); Bill Miller (piano); Cliff Leeman (drums).

Liner Note Author: Dave Dexter, Jr.

Recording information: Liederkranz Hall (01/27/1941).

Personnel: Charlie Barnet (tenor saxophone); Lena Horne, Bob Carroll (vocals); Leo White, James Lamare, Conn Humphries (alto saxophone); Kurt Bloom (tenor saxophone); Bernie Priven, Bob Burnet, George Esposito, Lyman Vunk (trumpet); Spud Murphy, Don Ruppersberg, Bill Robertson, Ford Leary (trombone); Bill Miller (piano); Bus Etri (guitar); Phil Stevens (bass); Cliff Leeman (drums).