Three editions of
Boyd Raeburn's short-lived series of orchestras are featured on this IAJRC LP which contains music from several radio broadcasts. The 1944 big band is most notable for guest
Roy Eldridge soloing on two songs including an early version of
Dizzy Gillespie's "Night in Tunisia" (a real collector's item). The orchestra in 1945 was much more advanced (as one can hear on
George Handy's arrangements of "Laura" and "Out of Nowhere") and featured such soloists as tenor saxophonist
Frankie Socolow, trumpeter
Tommy Allison and altoist
Hal McKusick. The group from the following year only appears on three vocal pieces (including two by Ginnie Powell) but there are spots for pianist
Dodo Marmarosa and trombonist
Ollie Wilson.
Boyd Raeburn fans will want to go out of their way to acquire this valuable record.