Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra - There'll be some Changes Made (1939)

Recorded in New York on 15th March 1939
Personnel:
Bunny Berigan, Johnny Napton, Jack Koven and George Johnston-trumpet / Ray Conniff and Bob Jenny-trombone / Gus Bivona and Henry Saltman-alto sax / Don Lodice and Harry Walsh-tenor sax / Joe Bushkin-piano / Allen Reuss-guitar / Hank Wayland-string bass / Eddie Jenkins-drums

[@Trombonology]

This is one of my all-time favourite sides from the great Berigan band. It's such a pity that this fearsome outfit wasn't given more opportunity to record instrumentals, as this was where they really shone. By the time this side waxed, the band was really straggling. '38, which had begun auspiciously for the Berigan orch, was a rough year for Bunny: He parted ways with his personal manager, whose attentions were increasingly aimed at other clients; his professional opportunities, as a result, began to dwindle and, accordingly, he lost a couple of key sidemen, Georgie Auld and Buddy Rich, who were lured to the thriving Shaw band; worst of all, Bunny's alcohol addiction had become essentially insurmountable. Amazingly, this laid back treatment of a 1918 jazz warhorse betrays none of these difficulties. Bunny knew how to whip a band into shape. The leader as well as Joe Bushkin and Ray Conniff are excellent here. Allan Reuss, best known for his nearly three-year stay with the Goodman band, was freelancing by this time, and Bunny was wise to hire him for this session, as the guitarist's beautiful rhythm playing is a great addition.

[@AndyLeMaitre]

You give a good insight as to what was happening behind the scenes, thank you.

[@Trombonology]

@@AndyLeMaitre My pleasure.