Begin the Beguine and Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet – circa 1939
Ozzie Nelson Orchestra
Before he was an actor, Nelson led a fine swing band
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Ozzie Nelson (1906-75) is today mostly remembered as the genial if often-bumbling star of the long-running television series The Ozzie & Harriet Show (which was preceded by a similar radio series).
Few probably know that Nelson started his career as a bandleader, and that the orchestra that he led during 1930-44 often played jazz; that fact was never even hinted at on his television show.
Nelson took occasional vocals while often being content to conduct his excellent big band.
On this short from the late 1930s, Nelson leads his big band through an uptempo version of “Begin The Beguine” and a lively rendition of “Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet,” taking a hot vocal chorus on the latter.
-Scott Yanow
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