No Name Jive – 1943

Casa Loma Orchestra

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The Casa Loma Orchestra, originally a co-op (Glen Gray officially took over its leadership in 1937) first came together in 1927, made its initial recordings in 1929, and in the early 1930s was one of the top early swing bands.

With many of its adventurous arrangements being written by Gene Gifford, the Casa Loma Orchestra became an influential force that helped lead to the bands of Benny Goodman, the Dorsey Brothers, and many of the other leading orchestras of the Swing era.

The Casa Loma Orchestra had a few hits and lasted until 1947 with Glen Gray later leading a series of swing revival albums during 1957-63 with studio players.

“No Name Jive,” a two-sided (six-minute) hit from 1940 that consisted of two sides of a 78, was one of their most popular swing numbers.

While the emphasis is on the ensembles, there are short solos from clarinetist Conn Humphries, trombonist Pee Wee Hunt, possibly Lon Doty on tenor, and an unidentified high note trumpeter.

-Scott Yanow

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