Our Jazz Radio Show Info Page
The sordid history of our jazz music radio show, est. 1985. Lends credence to the theory that FCC radio deregulation survival may be linked to narcissistically twisted disorders.

History Of Jazz Part 1
Early hot jazz bands, the hotel dance bands and the history of jazz music leading up to the Big Band era.

History Of Jazz Part II
The role of economics, early recording technology, and radio relative to jazz history and the Big Band era.

The Recording Ban Of 1942
Scans of a 1942 Down Beat magazine article detailing a dramatic event in jazz history during the Big Band era; the James Petrillo / AFM recording ban.

Webb Cuts Basie At The Savoy
Another of the many jazz magazine articles on the site detailing big events in jazz history. This piece recounts the Count Basie vs. Chick Webb big band music Battle Of Swing held at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom in January of 1938.

Harry Arnold studied clarinet in 1937 and 1938 and started arranging without the benefit of formal study in 1938. He claimed to have learned the technique of arranging through analyzing the works of everyone from Ravel to Basie. Arnold led his own band in Malmo from 1942 to 1949. He then went to Stockholm as a tenor man and arranger with Thor Ehrling’s band taking his own outfit back to play weekends in Malmo from 1952 to 1954. In 1956 he organized a 17 piece group to play weekly radio broadcasts (except during the summer) in 1956.

The music of Harry Arnold And His Swedish Radio Studio Orchestra hit the states in the late 1950’s. Author George Simon recounted Claes Dahlgren, Sweden’s Jazz ambassador, walking into Simon’s office and in a very modest and disarming manner leaving some tapes of the band on Simon’s desk with a polite, “give a listen if you have the time.” Simon and his colleagues were so knocked out by the tapes they played them to others to get second opinions afraid their ears were deceiving them.

Harry Arnold and his big band was subsequently signed to Jazztone. Simon said of the band, “its brilliant ensembles, its abundance of exciting modern soloists, its biting, swinging beat, and it’s superb polish – all these things really thrilled us.” A few other quotes made by famous jazzmen, upon first hearing the band, having only been told it was the Jazztone “Mystery” Band include; arranger Ernie Wilkins “This band would be a gasser to write for! What musicianship!” Bandleader Elliot Lawrence, "The band sounds like a modern swinging Tommy Dorsey.” Don Cerulli, New York editor of Down Beat magazine, “Actually the band is Elliot Lawrence.” Willis Canover from the Voice Of America network, “This is a hell of a swinging band.”

One of the most memorable jazz events in 1958 was a 25-year-old Quincy Jones making his third trek to Sweden and recording with the Harry Arnold band as documented on their second release on Jazztone. Existing recordings of the band are scarce but can be found through European dealers on CD. Swinging cuts include the band’s theme Stand By, Jersey Bounce, Room 608, Count ‘Em and Wrappin It Up.

Harry Arnold died in 1971 having left the music business to pursue other activities.