HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Bunny Berigan

Birth of Swing Jazz: Bunny Berigan

Bunny Berigan

Born Roland Bernard Berigan on 2 November 1908 in Hilbert, Wisconsin, trumpeter, Bunny Berigan, was something unique in that he consistently delivered high quality music while at once an alcoholic with a high energy death wish. Starting to play piano at age eight, he switched to trumpet and played in local orchestras as a teenager until joining Hal Kemp's band in 1930 with whom he made his first recordings the same year on March 14: 'Give Yourself a Little Pat' and 'Washin' the Blues from My Soul'. Tom Lord's discography notes though, that Berigan may have laid his first track per 'Beside an Open Fireplace' with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in January, as suggested by Bozy White in 'The Miracle Man of Swing' (2013). Berigan recorded frequently with Jimmy Dorsey into 1934. He worked with Tommy Dorsey, including the latter's orchestra, nigh continuously throughout his career. As for Berigan and Kemp, Bunny toured Europe with the latter, after which he became a session player in NYC.

'Beside an Open Fireplace' Poss Bunny Berigan w the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra

13 Jan 1930 in NYC Matrix 9279-2 or 9279-3

Issued on either Banner 0589 or Perfect 15269

Trumpet: Poss Berigan instead of Muggsy Spanier / Manny Klein / Frank Guarente

Trombone: Tommy Dorsey / Joe Yukl

Sax: Jimmy Dorsey (clarinet) / Alfie Evans / Herbert Spencer

Piano: Irving Brodsky Guitar: Carl Kress

Bass / tuba: Joe Tarto Drums: Ray Bauduc Vocal: Scrappy Lambert

Composition: Paul Denniker / Will Osborne

'Washin' the Blues From My Soul' Bunny Berigan w Hal Kemp and His Orchestra

14 May 1930 in NYC Matrix E-32772-A or E-32772-B

Issued on Brunswick 4805

Trumpet: Mickey Bloom / Berigan Trombone: Wendell "Gus" Mayhew

Reeds: Jimmy James / Reggie Merrill / Hal Kemp / Ben Williams / Saxie Dowell

Piano: John Scott Trotter Banjo /guitar: Gene "Pinky" Kintzle

Bass / tuba: J. Paul "Mate" Weston Drums: Skinny Ennis (vocal)

Composition: Dave Oppenheim / Willard Robison

'Them There Eyes' Bunny Berigan w Hal Kemp and His Orchestra

18 Nov 1930 in NYC Matrix E-35411-A Issued on Brunswick 4992

Vocal: Skinny Ennis (drums)

Composition: Doris Tauber / Maceo Pinkard / William Tracey

It was 21 February that Berigan first recorded with Freddie Rich, the latter leading the CBS Studio Orchestra to back Smith Ballew on a couple titles including 'Honeymoon Parade'. Berigan first performed with Benny Goodman with whom he worked often in coming years on 18 March of 1931 in New York City. It was with Goodman's band that Bunny first recorded with guitarist, Dick McDonough, another big talent with whom he often mixed in coming years. Berigan's recording debut as a singer is thought to have been 'At Your Command' backed by the Rich's orchestra on 15 June 1931. He backed tracks by the Boswell Sisters often from 4 December 1931 to 23 May 1934.

'At Your Command' Bunny Berigan w Fred Rich and the CBS Studio Orchestra

15 June 1931 in NYC Matrix 151604-1 Issued on Columbia 2484-D

Vocal: Bunny Berigan (trumpet)

Composition: Harry Barris Lyrics: Harry Tobias / Bing Crosby

Berigan began working with ARC studio bands in January of 1932. ARC (American Record Corporation) had been founded in January 1929 by Louis G. Sylvester. Sylvester had founded Scranton Button Works in 1885 leading to a business which pressed 3,000,000 shellac buttons a day. Sylvester also pressed records, Columbia and Emerson among them, after which he bought numerous record labels. In the meantime Warner Brothers purchased Brunswick and Vocalion in 1930, retaining the Brunswick pressing plant name which manufactured records for the ARC. The ARC was sold to Columbia in 1938. ARC studio bands were led by various orchestra leaders ranging from Bob Causer to Will Osborne to Art Kahn. Berigan also joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra in 1932 with whom he backed Phil Dury and the Pickens Sisters on 'Night and Day' in February of 1933. He first backed vocalist, Mildred Bailey, with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra on 8 April 1933 before sitting in Abe Lyman's orchestra in 1934.

'Gosh Darn!' Bunny Berigan w Bennie Krueger and His Orchestra

6 April 1932 in NYC Matrix 11652-A Issued on Brunswick 6296

Trumpet: Berigan / Manny Klein? Trombone: Tommy Dorsey?

Reeds: Bennie Krueger et al

Piano: Arthur Schutt? Guitar: Eddie Lang

Drums: Stan King Vocal: Dick Robertson

Composition: J. Fred Coots / Joe Young

'If I Had My Way 'Bout My Sweetie' Bunny Berigan w the ARC Studio Band

8 April 1932 in NYC Matrix 11673-1 Issued on Banner 32454

Tom Lord has this as the orchestra of Vic Irwin led by Victor Young

Known personnel:

Trumpet: Berigan Trombone: Tommy Dorsey?

Reeds: Jimmy Dorsey / Bennie Krueger

Guitar: Eddie Lang

Drums: Larry Gomar Vocal: Les Reis

Composition: Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams

'Crazy People' Bunny Berigan w the Boswell Sisters and Eddy Lang (guitar)

From the film 'The Big Broadcast' directed by Frank Tuttle and released 14 Oct 1932

Composition: Edgar Leslie / James Monaco

IMDb Wikipedia

'The Gold Digger's Song' ('We're in the Money')

Freddie Stone and his Orchestra [Abrams]

4 May 1933 in NYC Matrix 13297 Issued on Vocalion 15885

Issued on Resia 1007 in Sweden credited to the Benno Bondy Orchestra

Benno Bondy = Bunny Berigan

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin

Berigan appeared uncredited with Freddie Rich and His Orchestra in the short film, 'Mirrors', in September of 1934. His first session as a bandleader was with his Blue Boys on December 13, 1935, releasing 'I'm Coming, Virginia' / 'Blues' (Decca 18116) and 'You Took Advantage of Me' / 'Chicken and Waffles' (Decca 18117) in 1937 [RYM]. Upon starting to lead his own outfit Berigan made 'I Can't Get Started' his theme song, first recording it on 3 April 1936.

'Mirrors' Bunny Berigan w Freddy Rich and his Orchestra Film

Warner Bros. Vitaphone reel 1689 recorded 23-28 Feb 1934 Released 8 Sep 1934

Known personnel:

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Lloyd Williams

Clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey Tenor sax: Hank Ross Piano: Walter Gross

Vocals: Vera Van / The Eton Boys

IMDb

'You Took Advantage of Me' Bunny Berigan and His Blue Boys

From Berigan's first name session as a leader

13 Dec 1935 in NYC Matrix 60229-B Issued on Mosaic MD7-219 (CD)

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / sax: Edgar Sampson (alto) Eddie Miller (tenor)

Piano: Cliff Jackson Bass: Grachan Moncur Drums: Ray Bauduc

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin

'I'm Coming, Virginia' Bunny Berigan and His Blue Boys

From Berigan's first name session as a leader

13 Dec 1935 in NYC Matrix 60231-A Issued on Parlophone R-2316 A

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / sax: Edgar Sampson (alto) Eddie Miller (tenor)

Piano: Cliff Jackson Bass: Grachan Moncur Drums: Ray Bauduc

Music: Donald Heywood 1926 Lyrics: Will Marion Cook

'Blues' Bunny Berigan and His Blue Boys

From Berigan's first name session as a leader

13 Dec 1935 in NYC Matrix 60232-A Issued on Parlophone R-2316 B

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / sax: Edgar Sampson (alto) Eddie Miller (tenor)

Piano: Cliff Jackson Bass: Grachan Moncur Drums: Ray Bauduc

Composition: Berigan

'A Melody from the Sky' Bunny Berigan and His Blue Boys

13 April 1936 in NYC Matrix 19012-1 Issued on Vocalion 3224 Billboard: #17

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet: Artie Shaw Tenor sax: Forrest Crawford

Piano: Joe Bushkin Guitar: Tommy Felline

Bass: Mort Stuhlmaker Drums: Stan King

Composition: Louis Alter / Sidney D. Mitchell

'I Can't Get Started' Berigan's theme song Bunny Berigan and His Blue Boys

13 April 1936 in NYC Matrix 19013-1 Issued on Vocalion 3225

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet: Artie Shaw Tenor sax: Forrest Crawford

Piano: Joe Bushkin Guitar: Tommy Felline

Bass: Mort Stuhlmaker Drums: Stan King

Music: Vernon Duke Lyrics: Ira Gershwin

'Until Today' Bunny Berigan w the Freddie Rich Orchestra

From the Paramount film 'Song Hits On Parade' recorded in NY August 1936

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan (flute) / Lloyd Williams / Nat Natoli

Trombone: Jack Lacey / Larry Alpeter / Jerry Colonna

Sax: Arnold Brillhart / Reggie Merrill / Hank Ross / Babe Russin / Adrian Rollini

Piano: Walter Gross Guitar: Benny Martell Harp: Verlye Mills

Violin: Harry Edelman / Sam Freed / Lou Raderman / Johnny Augustine / Harry Horlick

Music: J. Fred Coots / Oscar Levant Lyrics: Benny Davis

IMDb Library of Congress

'That Foolish Feeling' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

23 Nov 1936 in NYC Matrix 20315-2 Issued on Brunswick 7784

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Trombone: Red Jessup

Clarinet / alto sax: Toots Mondello Tenor sax: Babe Russin

Piano: Joe Bushkin Guitar: Eddie Condon

Bass: Mort Stuhlmaker Drums: George Wettling Vocal: Art Gentry

Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Harold Adamson

'Marie' Bunny Berigan w Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

11 Jan 1937 in NYC NBC radio broadcast of 'The Jack Pearl Show'

See the Tommy Dorsey compilation on Sunbeam SB-235

Vocal: Jack Leonard

Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Harold Adamson

'Blue Lou' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

22 Jan 1937 in NYC Matrix 20563-1 Brunswick 7832

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Harry Greenwald / Harry Brown

Trombone: Walter Burleson Clarinet / alto sax: Matty Matlock

Alto sax: Carl Swift Tenor sax: Art Drellinger

Piano: Les Burness Guitar: Tom Morgan

Bass: Arnold Fishkin Drums: Manny Berger

Composition: Edgar Sampson

'The First Time I Saw You' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

13 May 1937 in NYC Matrix 010163-1 Victor 25593 Billboard: #8

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Cliff Natalie / Steve Lipkins

Trombone: Ford Leary (vocal) / Frank D'Annolfo Clarinet / alto sax: Matty Matlock

Sax: Hank Freeman / Georgie Auld / Clyde Rounds / Sid Pearlmutter

Piano: Joe Lip(p)man Guitar: Tom Morgan

Bass: Arnold Fishkin Drums: George Wettling

Composition: Allie Wrubel / Nat Shilkret

'Mother Goose' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra backing Ruth Bradley

25 June 1937 in NYC Matrix 011120-1 Victor 25616

Suggested personnel:

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Irving Goodman / Steve Lipkins

Trombone: Morey Samuel / Sonny Lee

Clarinet / alto sax: Sid Perlmutter / Joe Dixon

Tenor sax: Clyde Rounds / Georgie Auld

Piano: Joe Lip(p)man Guitar: Tom Morgan

Bass: Arnold Fishkin Drums: George Wettling

Composition: Basil Ziegler / Lou Shank

'I Can’t Get Started' Berigan's theme song Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

7 Aug 1937 in NYC Matrix 011675-1 Victor 36208 A

Trumpet / vocal: Bunny Berigan

Music: Vernon Duke Lyrics: Ira Gershwin

'The Prisoner's Song' Bunny Berigan (trumpet) and His Orchestra

7 Aug 1937 in NYC Matrix 011676-1 Victor 36208 B

Composition: Guy Massey

'Caravan' Bunny Berigan (trumpet) and His Orchestra

18 Aug 1937 in NYC Matrix 013202-1 Victor 25653

Composition: Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol

'Ebb Tide' Bunny Berigan (trumpet) and His Orchestra backing Gail Reese

3 Sep 1937 in NYC Matrix 013331-1 Victor 25664 Billboard: #5

Composition: Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin

'Russian Lullaby' Bunny Berigan (trumpet) and His Orchestra

23 Dec 1937 in NYC Matrix 017768-1 Victor 26001 Billboard: #19

Composition: Irving Berlin

'I Cried For You' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra backing Kathleen Lane

22 Nov 1928 in NYC Matrix 030301-1 Victor 26116 Billboard: #13

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Irving Goodman / Johnny Napton

Trombone: Ray Conniff / Bob Jenney

Alto sax: Gus Bivona (clarinet) / Murray Williams

Tenor sax: Georgie Auld / Clyde Rounds

Piano: Joe Bushkin Guitar: Dick Wharton

Bass: Hank Wayland Drums: Buddy Rich

Composition: Abe Lyman / Arthur Freed / Gus Arnheim

'Little Gate's Special' Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra backing Kathleen Lane

9 April 1939 in NYC Unidentified radio broadcast from Cleveland

Issued on Meritt 504 / Shoestring 100

Composition: Ray Coniff

Berigan had begun to perform on the 'Saturday Night Swing Club' radio show for CBS in 1936, including with vocalist, Lee Wiley, with whom he had worked before in 1932 in Rudy Vallee's Connecticut Yankees [Lord]. They got together again on 10 April of 1940 to put away titles later released on the 'Completists' Ultimate Collection' in 2003.