About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

On four CDs, the Hep label has released the great majority of the most rewarding recordings by the Casa Loma Orchestra, skipping over the more commercial vocals of Kenny Sargent. Stompin' Around, with the exception of the last two numbers which are from 1939 and two selections ("In the Still of the Night" and the original version of "Smoke Rings") from 1932, dates from 1933-1934. Although the swing era is thought of as starting when Benny Goodman hit it big in 1935, the Casa Loma Orchestra was one of the most important pacesetting swing orchestras of 1931-1934. The arrangements of Gene Gifford (the majority of these 25 selections are Gifford's charts) were largely responsible for the Casa Loma Orchestra having its own musical personality. The ensembles tended to be stirring if a little mechanical and the soloists (mostly trumpeter Grady Watts, trombonist Pee Wee Hunt, clarinetist Clarence Hutchenrider, and tenor saxophonist Pat Davis) are excellent. Stompin' Around gives listeners a strong sampling of swing music from the pre-swing era. Among the many highlights are early versions of "Smoke Rings" (the band's theme) and "Casa Loma Stomp," an Ethel Waters vocal on "Heat Wave," and heated versions of quite a few songs from the 1920s. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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