A slightly mellow but still rollicking instrumental version this month...
Pianist and composer Jack Fina (August 13, 1913 – May 14, 1970) had played with Clyde McCoy's big band in the 1930's, and formed his own orchestra in 1946 after ten successful years as a featured player with Freddy Martin's band.
After the big band era, in the 1950's and '60's the size of his bands would diminish as he established long standing hotel gigs in San Francisco, and eventually Los Angeles.
When he recorded this LP for Dot, his small band was in the midst of a successful 8-year-run at the Persian Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Fina passed away following a heart attack that occurred during a performance there in 1970. He was 56.
Personnel: Jack Fina - Piano Adolphus Alsbrook, Jr. - Bass Nick Pelico - Drums
From the LP 'More Great Hits In Boogie Woogie' (Dot Records, 1966), listen to:
For a bit more Jack Fina: - Follow link to an interesting (if murky-sounding) vintage live radio remote of Fina and his orchestra performing 'Old Devil Moon'. It can be found at a Jack Fina bio page at Ambrand Dot Com.
- Below, via YouTube, ⬇ A 1948 animation classic from Disney's 'Melody Time' featuring Jack Fina with Freddy Martin's orchestra, playing 'Bumble Boogie', his own arrangement of the Rimsky-Korsakov orchestral interlude.
A slightly mellow but still rollicking instrumental version this month...
Personnel:
