All Star Parade 1943-1949

This double-CD is comprised of radio broadcasts made on the east and west coast of the U.S. during the years 1945-49. None of the music has been previously released on CD. The 2-CD contains 28 numbers, with a playing time of over 2½ hours. This is big band swing music (with a full string section), and therefore the repertoire consists mainly of swing tunes, along with pop numbers and a few traditional jazz favorites. Harry James was one of the greatest trumpet players of all time, as well as one of the best swing big band leaders of his day, who rose to fame playing in Benny Goodman’s orchestra in the late thirties. Joining Harry James are some of the top jazz musicians of the forties, including vocalist Cab Calloway, alto saxophonist Willie Smith, trombonist Juan Tizol and pianist Eddie Heywood. Almost sixty years after these recordings were made, the tight, swinging professionalism of the Harry James Orchestra is still a delight to hear.