Memphis In The "Swing Era"

Many big-band orchestras played in Memphis during the heyday years of the "swing era", the 1930s and 40s, either one-night stands as the bands traveled from one venue to another, or long-term on the "hotel circuit". Billed as "The South's Finest - One Of America's Best", the Hotel Peabody, as it was known in those days, attracted many of the top bands to the Skyway and Continental Ballrooms, and the Plantation Roof. Practically unknown today, a great many bands also played the Balinese Room and the Rooftop Garden at the Hotel Claridge. Memphis played a vital and well-known role in both early Rock'n'Roll and Rhythm & Blues. The following highlights Memphis in the lesser-known era that preceded Elvis Presley. Most images below hyperlink to larger photos. Use your browser's "back" button to return.

Hotel Peabody, 1930s Post Card

Allen & Hoshall, Architects, 1925

The Peabody, Today

The Skyway, 1940s Post Card

The Skyway, Today

Herman Waldman & His Orchestra, 1934 Young Harry James, 2nd Row, 2nd From Left

Sonny Dunham & His Orchestra, 1941 Formerly Featured Trumpeter, Casa Loma Orchestra

Don Glasser & His Orchestra

Henry Jerome &  His Orchestra

Clyde McCoy & His Orchestra, 1937 In Retirement Years He Made Memphis His Home

Don Reid & His Orchestra

Chuck Foster & His Orchestra "Music In The Foster Fashion"

Sax Section,Dick Stabile & His Orchestra

The Claridge, Today

Claridge Adverisement, 1930s

Claridge Adverisement, 1940s

Vincent Lopez & His Orchestra, 1939

Jan Garber & His Orchestra, 1949

Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra, 1941

Artie Shaw & His Orchestra, 1938

Johnny "Scat"  Davis & His Orchestra, 1946

The Great Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Early 1940s

I don't know the location of the above photo, but in 1927 Jimmie Lunceford formed his first orchestra in Memphis, known as the Chickasaw Syncopaters. Jimmie studied music under Wilberforce Whiteman, the father of Paul Whiteman, and received his college education at Fisk University and the City College of New York. After college, he resided in Memphis and taught both athletics and music at Booker T. Washington High School before going out on the road with his band. Sadly, Jimmie Lunceford passed away suddenly in 1947 while his orchestra was in Oregon. Lunceford's was one of the swingingest of all the big bands, with such famous sidemen as Sy Oliver (trumpet/arranger, later arranger for Tommy Dorsey), Trummy Young (vocals/trombone), and Jimmie Crawford (the great jazz drummer).

Click Here to see a photograph of another great swing band, The Casa Loma Orchestra. This band not only played hot jazz and swing, they looked good doing it. The man in the center is the leader, Glen Gray. To his right, as we view the photo, is Kenny Sargent, from Memphis. It's subject to debate, but I believe this to be the very first swing band, and one of the very best also. - - - Photo courtesy of the "Kava Kidd"

This web site contains public domain items from the webmaster's personal collection, and items from "The Big Band Almanac", published by Da Capo Press, 1989, with permission.