The Big Band Alumni Association: Platinum Swing

Ever wonder what happened to the many seasoned big-band musicians who vanished along with most of the bands that once defined an era? As it turns out, some of them are still alive and kicking, as one can readily hear on this new album by the aptly named Big Band Alumni Association. Each member of the Association paid his dues with more than one of the well-known bands that inspired an older generation, earning diplomas from such stellar ensembles as those led by Billy May, Woody Herman, Harry James, Freddy Martin, Bob Crosby, Stan Kenton, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey and Elgart brothers, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Buddy Rich, Ray Anthony, Louie Bellson, Alvino Rey and many others.

On Platinum Swing, the Association revisits the Swing Era with a handful of hits from the period and other songs that embody the same temperament. The sequence seems roughly chronological, starting with Woody Herman's theme, "Woodchopper's Ball," and moving forward to the arrangement of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" introduced by the Buddy Rich band and a staple from the Count Basie library, Sammy Nestico's gently swaying "Warm Breeze."

Much of the music is danceable, and conductor/arranger Randy Van Horne has, for the most part, emphasized harmony instead of heat, although the temperature does warm up toward the end, starting with "Love for Sale."

Unfortunately, that's the point at which my copy of the disc began to show signs of an imperfection, which became progressively worse through the remainder of the program as the music skipped repeatedly from there on. I trust that was an aberration and that other copies will be problem-free (but I can't vouch for it).

There are three vocals, two by sultry Nancy Osborne ("This Masquerade," "It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House"), the other by Michael Dees ("Lonely Places"). Even though the ensemble is given prominence, there are a handful of brief but effective passages by unnamed soloists. I think most of the tenor solos are by former Les Brown standout Dave Pell (who's listed in the notes as having played with Herman, Goodman and James but not with Brown's Band of Renown!).

For those who miss the Swing Era, here's a charming time capsule designed for your pleasure by some of those who were there the first time around.

Contact: The Big Band Alumni Association, P.O. Box 18875, Encino, CA 91416-8875, www.alumniband.homestead.com or Hitchcock Media, 1625 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Phone 323-656-0757; www.hitchcock-media.com/Artists/bba.html