Nat Shilkret And The All Star Orchestra CD

An important musical director and conductor in the 1920s and '30s, Nat Shilkret headed a series of "all-star" orchestras during 1927-1929. While most of his sidemen never made it to the all-star level (so the name was a bit of hype), Shilkret used many of the top studio musicians of the time, some of whom are now considered important jazz players. Five of the recordings by Nat Shilkret & His Victor Orchestra and all 19 of the selections issued by the All Star Orchestra are on this Vintage Music Productions CD. The music is a perfect compromise between outbursts of hot jazz and arranged dance music. Some of the charts are particularly memorable, including versions of "My Melancholy Baby," "I'm More Than Satisfied," "Oh Baby," "Add a Little Wiggle," "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder," and "Steppin' Along." In the bands on some numbers are such fine players as Andy Sannella (clarinet, alto, and steel guitar), trombonists Miff Mole and Tommy Dorsey, Dudley Fosdick on mellophone, violinist Joe Venuti, guitarist Carl Kress, and even Benny Goodman. The music, which has been largely left out of jazz history books, is still delightful, and 1920s collectors will find much to love on this perfectly conceived release, and throughout the valuable Vintage Music Productions catalog. ~ Scott Yanow

Here are the complete recordings of Nat Shilkret's All Star Orchestra. In all, they made 18 recordings, from Dec. 1927 to Nov. 1929 -- of these, 16 were released. While jazz enthusiasts will find much that is significant in these recordings, there are tw

Personnel: Nat Shilkret; Johnny Marvin (vocals, ukulele); Frank Munn, Franklyn Baur, Gene Austin, Don Howard, Scrappy Lambert (vocals); Carl Kress (guitar); Andy Sannella (steel guitar, clarinet, alto saxophone); Harry Reser, John Cali (banjo); Yascha Zayde, Lou Raderman, Murray Kellner, Joe Venuti (violin); Herb Borodkin (cello); Max Farley (flute, clarinet, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Larry Abbott, Sammy Feinsmith (clarinet, alto saxophone); Fud Livingston (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Fuzzy Farrar, Mike Mosiello, Tommy Gott, Del Staigers, Jimmy McPartland, Ray Lodwig (trumpet); Glenn McGaha Miller, Major Glenn Miller's American Band of the AEF, Chuck Campbell, Miff Mole, Sam M. Lewis (trombone); Joe Tarto, Al Armer, Jack Pierce (tuba); Milt Rettenberg, Jack Shilkret (piano); Chauncey Morehouse (vibraphone, drums); Joe Green's Novelty Orchestra (drums); Benny Goodman (clarinet); Tommy Dorsey (trombone); Glenn Miller.

Recording information: 05/19/1927-11/08/1929.