Chronology
Yearly Chronology
Swing Music in the Capital Region
This chronology is an overview of Swing Music activity in the greater Albany area by month and year. It represents selected highlights for each month. It is not a comprehensive listing of monthly musical activity. The focus is the City of Albany, with only a sampling of activity outside the city.
At the top of this page, scroll over the CHRONOLOGY tab for the years 1939 - 1942.
To learn more about area venues, go to the VENUES tab.
To learn more about the local musicians, go to the BANDS AND MUSICIANS tab
Click to go to CHRONOLOGY - 1939 1940 1941 1942
1938
January
Bars/Clubs
Skip Desair’s Band played the Tally-Ho Tavern on 50 Hudson Avenue, Albany. Albany’s own Desair would go on to play in the Woody Herman Orchestra.
The University Grill on 84 South Pearl featured Jack Drummond and his Orchestra.
The Klub Eagle on 32 Eagle Street, across from the DeWitt Clinton Hotel, hosted the Ace Swingsters, featuring songs from Hughie Flynn.
McCarthy’s Tavern, 194 Green Street, hosted Jimmy McGriff’s Harlem Swing Band.
Club Frolics, 79 South Pearl Street, featured the Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra. D’Angelo’s Orchestra would play the Club Frolics the entire year. Also appearing at Frolics - Frankie Finn’s Broadway Beauties from Newark.
Across the river in the City of Rensselaer, the Horton Review featuring the Horton Sisters played part of the month at the Manor Inn, 77 Washington Avenue. We now know the tavern as Jimmy Casey’s Restaurant. The Horton Sisters were an all-woman band from South Bethlehem, NY. They also appeared at the Clinton Height’s Inn (Miller’s Hotel), on Route 9 & 20 in East Greenbush.
Hotels
The Howard Seim Band and the Francis Murphy Orchestra spent January at the Castle Ballroom, 119 State Street in Albany.
The DeWitt Clinton Hotel, State and Eagle Street, now the Renaissance, hosted Johnny Long and his Orchestra.
See his biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Long_(musician)
See additional information at Internet Movie Database: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519030/?ref_=tt_cl_t1
YouTube has a movie short featuring the band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePT1uSjG7NU
The Ten Eyck Hotel featured Herb Gordon and his Orchestra. One ad in the Albany Times Union, stated that the band was broadcasting “coast to coast over the CBS Network” from the Hotel. At points in the era, Gordon called his band “Herb Gordon and his Ten Eyck Whispering Orchestra”.
Hear one of his most famous tunes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRa91Ql-IJ0
In the Rain-Bo Room of the Kenmore Hotel, Pearl Street in Albany, Al Jahns and his NBC Orchestra were performing.
Also in January, 1938, the Peter Emma Band played on Italian Night at the Knights of Columbus.
February
Bars/Clubs
The Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra continued their engagement at Club Frolics, 79 So. Pearl Street. Joining D’Angelo that month were Arline Peppy and the Debutantes. Also, Virginia Little and her 12 NY’ers.
The Horton Family, featuring the Horton Sisters, moved to the Fort Orange Tavern on 288 Sheridan Avenue in Albany.
Jerome VanDeusen’s Orchestra, plus a “new floor show”, continued at the Hollywood Tavern, 64 Madison Avenue.
Freddy Peters and His Band appeared at the Orchard Grill, 68 No. Manning Blvd. in Albany. They would appear at the Grill through December, 1942.
In Colonie, Jimmy Williams and his Rhythm Boys, along with the WGY Artists, appeared at the White House Tavern, at Stop 34.
Hotels
Al Jahn’s Orchestra continued at the Kenmore – Rain-Bo Room.
The DeWitt Clinton Hotel featured Gene Beecher and His Orchestra. Beecher was from Cleveland and had a national reputation. Here they are performing at the Chrystal Room at the DeWitt Clinton on February 4, 1938:
https://soundcloud.com/eugene-beecher/sets/gene-beecher-orchestra
Here’s a short Facebook page for Beecher: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Gene-Beecher-272367919624550/
Herb Gordon’s Orchestra continued their run at the Ten Eyck Hotel.
The Castle Ballroom, 119 State Street, Albany hosted the nationally acclaimed Bob Crosby and his Orchestra: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-crosby-mn0000067337/biography
Bob, of course, was Bing’s brother.
March
Bars/Clubs
Gordie Randall’s NBC Orchestra appeared at Air-O-Dance, Route 20 in Guilderland.
D’Angelo continued at the Club Frolics. In March, the club added Laura Reed and Her Paris
Co-Eds and the Parisian Divorcees.
The Horton Family continued their run at the Fort Orange Tavern, 288 Sheridan Avenue.
Joe Torchia’s Dixieland Band appeared at the Green Lantern, on the Schenectady-Saratoga Road.
Jerome VanDeusen’s Orchestra continued their run at the Hollywood Tavern. Also appearing was Sonny Boy Johnnis, direct from Montreal.
The Klub Eagle, 32 Eagle Street, featured the Ace Swingsters with Hughie Flynn.
McKenna’s 68 Club, 68 Green Street in Albany, featured Roger White’s Swing Band, plus Irene Hopkins, singer and dancer – her “first Albany appearance”.
Mike Pantone and His Boys played the Matt Loftus Inn on the Albany-Troy Road in Menands.
April
Bars/Clubs
Air-O-Dance dance hall, out Route 20 in Guilderland, featured Gordie Randall’s NBC Orchestra, Dick Newcomb and his Orchestra, Butch Robertshaw and his Orchestra and Joe Belmont and his Orchestra.
Joe Belmont and his Orchestra also played the Castle Ballroom, 119 State Street, this month.
Jimmy D’Angelo continued his year-long run at Club Frolics. Joining him this month were Laura Reed and her Paris Co-eds and Parisian Divorcees.
Jimmy McGriff and his Rhythm Boys played the Club Paradise, 151-157 Church Street. The Club featured an “All Star Floor Show – All Colored Floor Show”.
The Horton Family, featuring the Horton Sisters, continued at the Fort Orange Tavern at 288 Sheridan Avenue.
The Holywood Tavern, 64 Madison, featured Jerome VanDeusen’s Orchestra along with an “All Star Show”.
Mike Pantone and His Boys continued their run at the Matt Loftus Inn over in Menands.
Al Jahns and his 14 Piece Band moved up to Riley’s Lakehouse in Saratoga.
Hotels
The Ten Eyck featured the Herb Gordon Orchestra.
The Rain-Bo Room at the Kenmore hosted Rita Rio and her All Girl Orchestra. Rio was a nationally acclaimed bandleader. She made a 9-minute short movie in 1939: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1260585/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk3
Watch a performance from 1942 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqptAWu1gUg
Gene Beecher continued his run at the DeWitt Clinton Hotel.
May
Bars/Clubs
Jack Drummond’s Orchestra played the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park.
The Francis Murphy Orchestra played the Washington Avenue Armory, Washington and Lark.
Air-O-Dance featured Jackie Jackson and his All Colored Cotton Pickers; the Francis Murphy Orchestra, and Vick Hunter and His Band.
Jimmy McGriff’s Rhythm Boys played the Club Paradise, 151-157 Church Street. The gig also featured an “All Star White Floor Show”.
Jerome VanDeusen’s Orchestra continued their engagement at the Hollywood Tavern on Madison.
Hotels
The Kenmore’s Rain-Bo Room featured Al Jahn’s Orchestra, broadcasting coast to coast. Jean Sargent also appeared this month. See her short bio at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0765114/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
The Kenmore also featured Ruth Denning, actress: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1102541/
The Teddy King and His Famous Broadcasting Orchestra also appeared.
June
Bars/Clubs
Igo’s featured the Jack Drummond Orchestra
Air-O-Dance had another packed lineup this month: Jack Jackson, Francis Murphy and Vick Hunter continued. Also, Charlie Barnet and his Radio and Recording Orchestra appeared. A biography of Barnet: http://www.swingmusic.net/Barnet_Charlie.html
Hear his music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnNUd7NzTMo
Club Frolics presented the Dansonettes , a new floor show with Emeline Phillips. D’Angelo’s Orchestra continued.
The Club Paradise featured the Walt Lehman’s Ambassadors plus and All Star Floor Show.
Billie Rogers and her Ambassadors of Swing appeared at the Fort Orange Club, Broadway and Divisions Streets. See a Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Rogers
Mickey Folus and His Swing Band was heard at the Tally-Ho Tavern, 50 Hudson. Bee Conrad and Ted Layne were featured vocalists.
Hotels
The Ten Eyck Hotel featured Eddie Lane and the Ten Eyck Sky Toppers.
The Kenmore, Rain-Bo Room hosted Jack Melvin and His Orchestra. Gerry Sullivan and His University of Georgia Collegians shared the stage.
July
Bars/Clubs
The Saratoga Lake Houses sprung into action in mid-summer. The Arrowhead Inn featured Emil Coleman and His Orchestra with Virginia Verrill, singer. See Coleman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7v4HESgg9c
The Villanova in Saratoga presented “Rhythm a la Carte” – Neil Golden and His Radio Broadcasting Orchestra.
Piping Rock in Saratoga featured Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra, featuring Betty Hutton. Here’s Lopez on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Lopez
See this great short film, featuring the Lopez Orchestra and Hutton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qflg7sUtg2o
Finally, we round out the Saratoga scene noting that Dee Peterson and His Famous Glee Club Orchestra played Riley’s Lake House. One advertisement noted that this was a “popular Mid-Western orchestra”.
Closer to the Capital District, venues on the local lakes were in full swing.
The Lakeview Hotel on Kinderhook Lake hosted Freddy Engel and His Band of Millionaires. The Crooked Lake Hotel featured Jack O’Donnell and His Boston Swing Band.
Air-O-Dance had a full lineup in July: Dick Cannon and His Orchestra, Teddy Black and His Famous NBC Orchestra, Gordon Randall and His NBC Band, the Knights of Rhythm, and the Revellers.
Club Frolics continued with their June lineup. Same is true for the Club Paradise.
The Green Lantern, on the Schenectady-Saratoga road, hosted Jack Pope’s Swing Band.
The University Grill at 84 South Pearl featured Lew Davis and His Gentlemen of Swing, plus “gorgeous girls in a Paramount Silver Review”.
August
Bars/Clubs
Air-O-Dance on Route 20 in Guilderland featured Gordie Randall and His NBC Orchestra, with
Vikki Colamaria, WGY Vocalist.
The Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra, plus an All Star Floor Show, continued their run at Club Frolics.
Jerry Shaw and His Swingsters appeared at the Tally-Ho Club.
The Carroll Triplets appeared at the University Club on Pearl Street.
Club Paradise hosted Hal Turner’s Paradise Club Band.
Summer activity was in high gear at the local lakes. Eddie Smith and His Orchestra appeared at the Lakeside Hotel on Thompson’s Lake. Dick Hartigan and his Orchestra appeared at Newman’s Lake House in Saratoga. Riley’s Lake House in Saratoga featured Bill Taseillo and His NBC Orchestra. And at Piping Rock, Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra featured Betty Hutton. Teddy Eddie and His Orchestra also appeared at Piping Rock.
September
Bars/Clubs
Air-O-Dance featured another full lineup – Howard Siem and His Orchestra; Jan Campbell’s NBC Orchestra; Ted Black’s Famous NBC Orchestra; Charlie Randall and His Band; Dick Newcomb and His Orchestra.
In East Greenbush, the Clinton Heights Inn featured Joe Murphy and His Swing Aces.
Club Frolics, 79 So. Pearl, featured Betty Demas, Singer, along with the D’Angelo Orchestra.
The Ace Swingsters continued at the Klub Eagle, 32 Eagle Street.
Mike Pantone and His Boys played the Mat Loftus Inn on the Troy-Schenectady Road.
Swing Magin and His Band appeared at the Manor Inn in Rensselaer.
Harmanus Bleecker Hall, 161 Washington Avenue, featured quite a lineup – The Duke Ellington Orchestra appeared on September 11. On the 18th, Ina Ray Hutton’s Melodears appeared. See her short film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO_4B15g49o
Also appearing were Mal Hallett and His Double Rhythm Orchestra, the Lucky Millinder Orchestra. His bio on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Millinder, And the newspapers announced that the Paul Whiteman Orchestra was coming in October.
Igo’s sat at 133 Hudson Avenue. The venue featured Jack “Rubberface” Curly, “direct from Times Square. Also, the Jack Drummond Orchestra.
In Schenectady’s Palorama, Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra made an appearance. Also, Joe Haymes and His Orchestra was featured, cited as “Radio’s newest swing sensation.”
Hotels
The Rain-Bo Room at the Kenmore Hotel featured “Play Don” Bester and His NBC Orchestra. They would be in residence all month. His bio - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Bestor
Hear his rendition of “Shuffle off to Buffalo” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhrdelAayPY
The DeWitt Clinton announced the “grand opening of their cocktail lounge”. Neil Golden’s Orchestra performed.
The Ten Eyck Hotel announced that the Roof Garden was about to close and invited folks in to bid “farewell” to Eddy Land and His Sky Toppers.
October
Bars/Clubs
Air-O-Dance features George Huban and His Band, The Knights of Rhythm Orchestra, and Butch Robertshaw and His Band.
Jerome VanDeusen’s Harlem Swingsters appeared in Big Charlie’s Harlem Grill at 52 ½ Hamilton Street.
Charlie’s Community Tavern on 39 Quail Street featured Jimmy Caspar “Swinging out on the Sax”.
The Club Frolics featured Mickey Rogers and Her Tip Top Girls, Babs McKane, song stylist, along with the Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra.
The Tally-Ho Tavern on 50 Hudson hosted Skip DeSair’s Band, the Monte Carlo Girls and Gerry Shaw’s Music featuring Jackie Swartz, “Albany’s favorite vocalist”.
McKenna’s 68 Club, 68 Green Street in Albany, announced “Hottest show – torrid music; Best Sepian Talent in Albany; Howard Watson and His Boys; A Real Harlem Nightclub.”
The Circle Inn at the Latham Traffic Circle hosted Cameo Kirby and His Orchestra.
Also in Latham, Dinty’s Terrace Garden, one mile north of the circle, hosted an “All Girl Band” plus Al Dean and His Society Orchestra. Also on the bill were Father Cruthers and Swing Scamps, plus the Southland Rhythm Girls.
In the City of Rensselaer, The Blue and White Tavern, 27 Second Street, announce a “grand opening” and advertised “swing music as you like it” and dancing. Hepinstall’s Tavern at 676 East Street hosted Eddie’s Rhythm Aces, a floor show, and a Halloween dance.
As mentioned last month, the Paul Whiteman Orchestra appeared at the Harmanus Bleecker Hall on October 9th.
Hotels
Neil Golden and His Orchestra continued their run at the DeWitt Clinton.
“Play Don” Bester and His Orchestra played the Kenmore – Rain-Bo Room. The newspapers announced a “newly decorated Rain-Bo Room”.
The Ten Eyck Hotel announced the Grand Opening of the Band Box, and music by the Ten Eyck Merrymakers.
November
Bars/Clubs
The Edgewood Inn, on Routes 9 & 20 in East Greenbush, hosted “Little Joe” Hart and His Orchestra w/Jean Ellis and Art Lund.
Air-O-Dance featured Robert Shaw’s Music.
Rensselaer’s Blue and White Tavern, 27 2nd Street, hosted Banjo Bailey and His Swing Band, Freddy Engel and His Swing Band, and Joe Murphy’s Swing Kings.
Charlie’s Community Tavern, 39 Quail Street, held over October’s performers.
The Clinton Heights Inn, 9 & 20, East Greenbush featured Joe Murphy and His Swing Kings, plus Hopkins and Sunshine Sammy.
The Fort Orange Tavern, 288 Sheridan Avenue, featured the Horton Review – Horton Family.
The Haymarket Grill at 137 Hamilton Street hosted Jimmy Stella and Ray LaFontaine “singing and playing tunes”.
The Hi-Hat Rhythmettes and Freddy Emery’s Music held court at the Hi-Hat Tavern on 283 Green Street.
The Klub Eagle still hosted the Ace Swingsters, with Jake and Pat, and Hughie Flynn, “popular Irish tenor”.
The Irving Doling Orchestra played the State Ballroom, 119 State Street in Albany.
Hotels
The Francis Murphy Orchestra held court at the Ten Eyck. An advertisement announced “Dinner and Supper Dancing (featuring) Esther Stritter singing with the Murphy Orchestra”.
The DeWitt Clinton offered “Dancing in the Cocktail Lounge, 4pm to 7pm”.
Del Courtney and His NBC Orchestra played the Rain-Bo Room at the Kenmore. Brief biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Courtney
Hear his Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXmj0bjaYZk
The Paul Whitman Orchestra found their way to Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady.
December
Bars/Clubs
Jerome VanDeusen’s Swing Band continued at Big Charlie’s Harlem Grill, 52 ½ Hamilton Street. He was joined by Viola McCoy and Miss Mabel Albert.
The Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra played the month, and completed their year-long engagement, at Club Frolics, 79 South Pearl Street.
The Club Paradise featured music by Willie Wood and Rhythm Kings, with songs by George Barton, and Pat Hanley. Sleepy Woods and His Brown Buddies also provided the music.
The local newspapers announce the “Grand Opening” of Frenchy’s Tug Boat Inn, located at 5 Ferry Street in downtown Rensselaer. Featured this month – the Tug Boat Orchestra.
Freddy Emery’s Music along with the Hi-Hat Rhythmettes played the Hi-Hat Tavern at 283 Green Street.
Dinty’s Terrace Garden, 1 mile north of the Latham Circle, hosted Scat Man and Al Dean’s Society Orchestra.
It was noted that the Francis Murphy Ten Eyck Band played a gig at the Albany Hospital for the Incurables in December.
The University Grill at 84 South Pearl Street announced that, now, under new management, “larger bands” would be featured. December opened with Scotty and His Red-Hot Missourians.
Hotels
Del Courtney continued at the Kenmore/Rain-Bo Room.
The DeWitt Clinton Hotel featured Frank Gagen’s Orchestra.
A Gala New Years Celebration was offered at the Hendrick Hudson Hotel in downtown Troy. Eddie’s Rhythm Aces were featured.
Theaters