A Jumpin’ Jubilee

As part of the U.S. effort in World War II, top jazz musicians donated their services in making special recordings – The Jubilee Shows – to boost the morale of American troops. As one can readily see from the line-up of musicians on this CD, practically all the top swing jazz artists of the mid-40’s – plus the new be-boppers – contributed to this patriotic cause, including trumpeters Bobby Hackett and Buck Clayton, tenor giants Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, alto players Willie Smith, Benny Carter and Charlie Parker, pianist Nat King Cole, drummers Shadow Wilson and Buddy Rich, and vocalists Peggy Lee and Helen Humes. The form these rare recordings took was largely that of a jam session, using the most popular tunes of the day and with room for the soloists to “stretch out” spontaneously. Included here are some of the earliest Norman Granz “Jazz At The Philharmonic” jam session recordings.