Swingin’ southern style

The story of Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra is a strange one. They inhabited an odd space between swing and jazz as the Roaring Twenties came to a close and the Great Depression set in. They were a savvy operation and played what people wanted them to hear. They were also one of the first bands to set themselves up as a corporation - allowing them to be financially successful while other bands fought over royalties and fees. In fact, Glen Gray wasn’t the most talented member of the band and often shunned the spotlight until record label execs demanded a front man to help sell the band. They played all through the thirties and were radio darlings when that meant something.

It’s fun to know a little bit of the back story because for all the playing they did and success they had, not many folks remember them. There’s no reason to when you start speaking about Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, they weren’t equals in any real sense of the word. Every era produces artists who create lengthy discographies but are left behind as the decades roll on.

I found a copy of Swingin’ Southern Style posted online in a jazz group years ago and it’s always tickled my fancy. They struck me as the sort of band you’d find playing a weekend show in Newport, RI or Cape Cod, MA. The crowd would be half older folks and a handful of youngsters. Their version of “Dixie” is a fun romp but the swinging “Riverboat Shuffle” is my pick to share. It’s upbeat, catchy and short enough that it doesn’t wear out its welcome.

Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra - Riverboat Shuffle