[Dixielandjazz] Krupa, Dorsey, et. al in New Book

[Pam Munter]

My new book has just been released.  It's called WHEN TEENS WERE 
KEEN: FREDDIE STEWART AND THE TEEN AGERS OF MONOGRAM, published by 
Nicholas Lawrence Books.  Freddie started as a band singer (Clyde 
McCoy, Tommy Dorsey) and when he went into films, he always used big 
bands, rather than studio musicians.

The book discusses the films and the often tragic careers of its 
stars (Freddie, June Preisser, Noel Neill, Warren Mills and Frankie 
Darro).  But readers of this list might enjoy the sometimes extensive 
discussion of the film's music and musicians.  Among those bands 
featured in this series of eight films are Charlie Barnet, Abe Lyman, 
Gene Krupa, Bobby Sherwood, Spade Cooley, Eddie Heywood, Chuy Reyes, 
Jan Savitt, Freddie Slack, Russ Morgan, Jack McVea, and Jimmy Dorsey.

In one of the films, "Sarge Goes To College" (released in 1947), 
there are two wonderful jam session segments with Candy Candido (who 
was featured as an actor in another in the series), Abe Lyman, Wingy 
Manone, Les Paul, Jess Stacy, Joe Venuti and Jerry Wald.

These films are hard to find, but worth seeing, if only for the 
music.  And Freddie had an incredible tenor voice that soared above 
the orchestra.  He sang magnificently and deserved a better career.

At any rate, I hope the DJMLers will enjoy the book.  If it's not yet 
in your stores, try Amazon.com or barnesand noble.com.

-Pam Munter