[Dixielandjazz] Bunny Berrigan

[barbonestreet at earthlink.net]

One of the best sources of information about Bunny Berrigan is in Richard Sudhalter's Book, "Lost Chords". Chapter 20, pages 487 through 516. Includes musical bio info, records, bands, anecdotes and analyses of some of his work. 

Another, though shorter information source, is in Dan Morgenstern's Book "Living With Jazz", pages 174 to 178. Both books are well worth owning and reading.

How good was he? Well, Benny Goodman who is well known for musical perfection, and strict discipline hired him in NYC, July 1935 (give or take, Bill Haesler would know for sure)fully aware of Berrigan's problems with booze and his unreliability. Trumpeter Manny Klein was the short notice substitute BG called upon to fill in when Berrigan didn't show up for some of the radio broadcasts.

Yet BG took Berrigan on that famous tour ending up at the Palomar Ballroom when it all came together. They were only together about four months, but some of Berrigan's best work was recorded with BG during that time. Perhaps Bill Haesler can point us to the records?

Cheers,
Steve Barbone