This Sunday at 7pm for Memorial Day weekend, The Swing Set will present the annual remembrance of Major Alton Glenn Miller and his Army Air Force Band. Today we know that ensemble as the Airmen Of Note. We’ll hear their brand-new recording featuring special guests Sean Jones, Ted Nash, and Diane Schuur. Another noted Armed Forces big band is the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors. Their most recent recording with legendary arranger Sammy Nestico, “The Sammy Sessions” was nominated for a Grammy Award. We’ll also have fun with tunes to kick off barbecue season!
Classical Days. Jazzy Nights - 90.9 FM & HD-1 Detroit
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Linda, i just caught your “Swing Set” on a drive from Metro Airport to Lake Orion and I just have to say that I absolutely Loved the show. It featured some of the classic sax players like Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and I think you also snuck in some Ben Webster but didn’t announce him. Then you followed it up with classic Benny Goodman and the 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert recording by Benny Goodman. I have loved your programming for a few years now however WEMU is almost impossible to get in Lake Orion and I am so happy to hear that we can now listen on WRCJ. Keep playing the classics. Now I am home and listening to you playing Duke Ellington with Ella on vocals! It just doesn’t get any better that that.
Thank you for your nice note George, we appreciate you tuning in!
Hi George, Sorry for the late reply – just now getting your message. I am SO happy to be at WRCJ choosing classic jazz and finding the current sessions that keep the swing feel alive. You can reach me through WRCJ email: lyohn@dptv.org or check out my Facebook pages. Thanks so much for listening and loving classic jazz.
Hi Ms. Yohn,
I missed your reference of the jazz rendition of Hanukkah O Hanukkah – it caught me off guard as I was driving. How can I find that recording?1?
Thanks!!
Hi Ken, Linda played The Jack Brokensha Quartet’s “O’ Hannukah” of their album “Xmazz” from AEM Record Group. Hope this helps!
Hi Ken, I think that rendition of O Hanukkah is out of print. Both Jack Brokensha and Bess Bonnier have died. We miss both of them so much. Bassist Paul Keller might be able to help you locate the recording. I plan to play another Christmas-oriented piece from the disc before the 19th of December. Thanks for listening and for caring about good music.
Just exposed to Autumn Leaves with Ray Nance, Ozzie Bailey and Duke Ellington. I was told it is from a recording titled Indigo Wich I could not find.
Hi Musomi, it’s an older album so yes it may be hard to find. You can take a look at it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellington_Indigos
Hello Musomi,
Indeed, the recording is called “Ellington’s Indigos”. I have always loved it because it was my mother’s favorite Duke Ellington album. Duke and the orchestra covered ballads written by other composers. A lot of Ellington scholars don’t think highly of the album because it covers “pop” tunes of the times. I disagree with them. These are some of the most touching renditions of ballads ever recorded, including “Autumn Leaves”. It is worth your search for a document of tenderness in jazz.
Dave – apologies for missing your message in April. Thanks for listening. Thanks for being a part of the Swing Set on WRCJ. You know what it takes to swing!
Linda, your playlist is the best! Love your show!
Dave Marcaccio
Thank you for the nice message Dave!