Search - Artist/Band: Jimmie Lunceford

• Name: Jimmie Lunceford
• Birthday: 06/06/1902
• Birth Place: Fulton, MS
• Died: 07/12/1947
• Decades Active: 1920,1930,1940
• Genre: Jazz
• Styles: Sweet Bands, Swing, Big Band
• Moods: Elegant, Exuberant, Sophisticated, Amiable/Good-Natured, Boisterous, Cheerful, Energetic, Gritty, Joyous, Playful, Refined/Mannered

Title	Release
Anthology 1934-1942	04/24/2007
Wham	09/20/2005
Jukebox Hits 1935-1947	01/25/2005
Perfect Big Band	01/12/2004
Jazznocracy	11/05/2003
For Dancers Only [Past Perfect]	11/26/2002
It's the Way That You Swing It: The Hits of Jimmie WA	07/09/2002
Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra, Vol. 1	07/01/2002
1943-1945 Broadcasts WA	12/11/2001
Jimmie Lunceford [Jazz After Hours]	08/07/2001
Lunceford Special: 1939-1940	06/26/2001
1948-1949 WA	05/01/2001
1945-1947 WA	02/15/2000
Volume 7	05/12/1999
Swinging Mister Lunceford	01/26/1999
Swingsation	06/16/1998
1934-1942	11/19/1996
1939, Vol. 6 WA	06/18/1996
Masterpieces, Vol. 9	02/22/1996
Powerhouse Swing	11/13/1995
1937-1939, Vol. 5	10/17/1995
Original Historic Recordings	08/01/1995
1935-1936, Vol. 3	04/26/1995
1936-1937, Vol. 4	01/24/1995
Polished Perfection	1995
Blues in the Night	07/27/1994
Here Goes	07/26/1994
World of Jimmie Lunceford: Lunceford Special	03/16/1993
Dance Hall Days: Powerhouse Swing	03/15/1993
Greatest Jazz Band	1989
Margie	04/25/1946
1941-1945 WA	1941
Instrumentals Never Before on Record	1941
1940-1941 WA	07/09/1940
1939-1940 WA	12/14/1939
1939 WA	01/03/1939
1937-1939 WA	06/15/1937
1935-1937 WA	12/23/1935
For Dancers Only [Decca]	09/23/1935
1934-1935	11/07/1934
Big Bands	10/29/1934
Volume 2 (1934)	09/05/1934
Stomp It Off	09/04/1934
Rhythm Is Our Business [ASV/Living Era]	05/15/1933
1930-1934	06/06/1930
Volume 1 (1927-1934)	12/13/1927
Harlem Shout [History]
Rhythm Is Our Business [Past Perfect]
Strictly Lunceford

The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra has always been a bit difficult to evaluate. Contemporary observers rated Lunceford's big band at the top with Duke Ellington and Count Basie but, when judging the music solely on their records (and not taking into account their visual show, appearance and showmanship), Lunceford's ensemble has to be placed on the second tier. His orchestra lacked any really classic soloists (altoist Willie Smith and trombonist Trummy Young came the closest) and a large portion of the band's repertoire either featured the dated vocals of Dan Grissom or were pleasant novelties. And yet, the well-rehearsed ensembles were very impressive, some of the arrangements (particularly those of Sy Oliver) were quite original and the use of glee-club vocalists and short concise solos were pleasing and often memorable. Plus Lunceford's was the first orchestra to feature high-note trumpeters (starting with Tommy Stevenson in 1934) and had a strong influence on the early Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Although he was trained on several instruments and was featured on flute on "Liza" in the 1940s, Jimmie Lunceford was much more significant as a bandleader than as a musician. While teaching music at Manassa High School in Memphis in 1927, Lunceford organized a student band called the Chickasaw Syncopators, recording two songs that year and a pair in 1930. After leaving Memphis, the band (known by then as the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra) played in Cleveland and Buffalo and cut two songs in 1933 that were not issued until decades later. 1934 was the breakthrough year. The orchestra made a strong impression playing at New York's Cotton Club, waxed a few notable songs for Victor and then started recording regularly for Decca. Their tight ensembles and colorful shows made them a major attraction throughout the remainder of the swing era. Among their many hits were "Rhythm Is Our Business," "Four or Five Times," "Swanee River," "Charmaine," "My Blue Heaven," "Organ Grinder's Swing," "Ain't She Sweet," "For Dancers Only," "'Tain't What You Do, It's the Way That Cha Do It," "Uptown Blues" and "Lunceford Special." The stars of the band included arranger Sy Oliver (on trumpet and vocals), Willie Smith, Trummy Young (who had a hit with "Margie") and tenor saxophonist Joe Thomas.

In 1939 it was a major blow when Tommy Dorsey lured Sy Oliver away (although trumpeters Gerald Wilson and Snooky Young were important new additions). Unfortunately Lunceford underpaid most of his sidemen, not thinking to reward them for their loyalty in the lean years. In 1942 Willie Smith was one of several key players who left for better-paying jobs elsewhere and the orchestra gradually declined. Jimmie Lunceford was still a popular bandleader in 1947 when he suddenly collapsed; rumors have persisted that he was poisoned by a racist restaurant owner who was very reluctant about feeding his band. After Lunceford's death, pianist/arranger Ed Wilcox and Joe Thomas tried to keep the orchestra together but in 1949 the band permanently broke up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide