Dancing with Zig

In our last post, we had a dancing couple on the cover, but the music inside was a no-way-danceable symphony. This time out, the dancing couple on the cover does indeed signify music you can dance to, should you have the inclination.

And who better to dance with than the clarion trumpeter Ziggy Elman and a variety of studio bands in these M-G-M recordings. Ziggy, of course, was once a member of the powerful Benny Goodman brass section, along with Chris Griffin and Harry James. Post war, he set out on his own, but did not have consistent success as a bandleader, although he did have a recording contract with M-G-M for several years.

This LP brings together singles from 1947 through 1952. Although the dates and personnel vary, the music is all very well played. The fare consists mainly of standards, and it's hard to imagine why the record company thought such items as "Me and My Shadow" (which practically usurps an Ellington arrangement) would achieve commercial success. The best number is certainly the title tune, a Basiesque swinger.

Still and all, this is a highly enjoyable outing from a fine musician, and the sound is good.

Detail from 1951 Billboard ad

Ziggy Elman

What is it about the disembodied heads of musicians on LP covers that makes me want to feature them here? First we had Ralph Marterie. And now we present Ziggy Elman's giant noggin along with a drawing of a trumpet player who looks more like Harry James than Elman.

This is the latest post in my series featuring post-war dance bands. it includes sides that Ziggy cut for M-G-M from 1947-50, after he had made his name as a Goodman and Dorsey sideman. One source claims the 1947 items were recorded with members of the Dorsey orchestra; the later items with Elman's own band.

It doesn't make much difference - there is very little solo room on these recordings for anyone except the leader. The items are all very well played, and feature musicians who also show up on many records made on the west coast at that time and in later years. The arrangers include Larry Clinton (My Reverie), Sid Cooper and possibly Heinie Beau.

Note to the finicky: You will hear some residual background rustle and peak distortion on these recordings.