Pre-Swing Era

Sammy Kaye started his first band in 1933 and came up with the slogan, "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye." The band was an overnight success, with its first major booking being at the Commodore Hotel in New York. From there, they played theaters and ballrooms such as Roseland in New York, and the Meadowbrook in New Jersey.

An outstanding feature which contributed to its success, was an audience participation of "So You Want To Lead A Band?." Contestants, picked from the audience would try their skill at leading the band. The winner would be determined by the audience's applause.

Sammy recorded three hit records that gave the band a measure of financial success, they were, "Daddy," "Harbor Lights," and the Don Cornell vocal on "It Isn't Fair." Sammy was very busy and active during the swing era, however, his contribution towards the history of jazz was negligible. Sammy Kaye died in 1987 at the age of 74.

Charlie Barnet began his saxophone playing at the age of twelve. In 1933, Charlie formed his first professional band, and was proud of the fact that he was one of the first white leaders to have black musicians in his band. There were Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Benny Carter and Frankie Newton, with Lena Horne as vocalist.

Barnet patterned his band after the style of Duke Ellington, using many of the Duke's arrangements. In 1939, "Cherokee" was recorded and from then on the Charlie Barnet orchestra became famous. The band was booked into many ballrooms and theaters and played in some hotels. However, they were not welcomed into some hotels because of the black musicians.