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Another chapter from the forthcoming, definitive biography exclusive to the IAJRC Journal. All photos courtesy of the author, unless credited otherwise.
It is abundantly clear from the Berigan band's recording of The Wearin' of the Green that from a musical standpoint, Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra were among the top swing bands in the country in May of 1938. They had developed an assurance as an ensemble that bordered on swagger. When they chose to, they strutted the music. The band had very good, exciting soloists, most of their arrangements now were first-rate, and Joe Lippman had shown again and again that he was capable of writing special arrangements that highlighted not only his skill and creativity, but the capabilities of the Berigan band, and their virtuoso leader. Bunny himself had worked without let-up for seventeen months to build every aspect of this band. He had been totally involved in building its personnel and arrangements. He had constantly tried to infuse the band's performances with his fiery jazz spirit. At last, his band had arrived at a point where to a large degree, it reflected his musical personality. He had to be pleased.
He had endured the vicissitudes of the band business more or less with equanimity, but basically entrusted business matters to others. He paid these people well, and expected that they would guide his band's fortunes is a positive direction. To this point in the band's history, Bunny's management team had functioned reasonably well. Not perfectly by any means, but well. Bunny had every reason to be encouraged about the future of his band as the summer of 1938 began.
Immediately after the May 26 Victor recording session, the Berigan band played for one or two nights at New York's posh Essex House. One wonders how well this romping jazz band fit in there. The next night, Sunday May 29, they were in a much more congenial jazz atmosphere, Harlem's Savoy Ballroom. There they were to do battle with the King of the Savoy, Chick Webb. At this time, Webb's band was also one of the leading swing bands in the nation, having good arrangements, strong soloists (especially Chick himself on drums, trumpeters Bobby Stark and Taft Jordan, and alto saxophonist Louis...