Embedded Files
Swing 1939
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.
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 go back to CHRONOLOGY 1938.
January
Bars/Clubs
Chicke La Belle, “Petit Songstress” led an All-Girl Review at the University Grill on South Pearl Street for the entire month.The Klub Eagle, 32 Eagle Street, featured a Swing Guitar Duo along with Billy Harris on accordion and piano.
Freddy Engel and His Orchestra spent the month at the Rest Ye Inn on Route 20 Guilderland. The name of the club would change to Gerard’ in June. Engel was joined by the Arkansas Cowboys. The Club Paradise, 151-157 Church Street in Albany, featured Finney and Rogers, along with George Barton and Pat Hanley, “Albany’s favorite singers.” Sleepy Woods and His Orchestra performed later in the month. The Club 68 at 68 Green Street in Albany featured “Hot Music, Sepian Review with Ruth Johnson, Doris Moore, Hilda Veres, Mona Williams and featuring Jack Layner’s Brown Skin Buddies.
Hotels
The DeWitt Clinton Hotel, Eagle and State Street, featured Frank Gagen and His Orchestra beginning on January 21st.
February
Bars/Clubs
Chicke LaBelle continued at the University. Also appearing this month – Ann & Charlie Howard with their “Hits and Bits of Musical Comedy”. Also, music by Scotty and His Missourians. Danny Boone and Joyce Lang played the club in the middle of the month.
The Klub Eagle featured Billy Harris on Swing Guitar with songs by Hughie Flynn. Freddy Engel and His Orchestra continued at the Rest Ye Inn.
The Club Paradise continued the run of Finney and Rogers along with Barton and Hanley. Max Bruder and His Orchestra played the White Horse Tavern on the Albany-Schenectady Road;.
The Tally-Ho Tavern on 50 Hudson Avenue in Albany featured Lester Lamont with the Monte Carlo Debutantes. Music furnished by the Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra. The Club 68, on 68 Green Street, hosted Jackie Small’s Revue with Jack Lawyer’s Brown Skin Buddies. Hi-Hat Tavern at 283 Green Street featured music by Fred Emery. The Crooked Lake Hotel in Averill Park featured “Winter Sports Dancing”.
The Red Ives Orchestra appeared at the Jamboree Club on 270 Hudson. Club Frolics, 79 South Pearl Street, hosted the Parisian Divorcees, Ann Baker – New Orleans Songstress, and Elveeda Ray – blues singer. Music by Joe Mann’s Quaker State Five.
Herbert’s, at 1054 Madison Avenue, promoted their new cocktail room and men’s bar.
Dehring’s Grill, 85 Schuyler Street, featured the “popular singing star – the Colorado Kid”.
March
Bars/Clubs
The Klub Eagle continued with their February line up.
Freddy Engel and His Orchestra continued their run at the Rest Ye Inn.
Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern, 27 2nd Street, Rensselaer featured “swing music as you like it”. Also, Tommy Burns and His Orchestra.
Lester Lamont’s show continued at the Tally-Ho.
Joe Mann’s Quaker State Five continued at Club Frolics, joined by a new floor show.
Don Vignola and His Orchestra played the Clinton Heights Inn, Routes 9 & 20 in East Greenbush. The Inn was beginning to be called Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn after the proprietor, William Hunter.
Jimmy Stella and His Hawaiian Strings played Dehring’s Grill.
The Moana Hawaiians played the Savoy on 301 Lark Street in Albany.
The Lark Tavern at 453 Madison Avenue featured the Mezzarella’s Orchestra. Jack Murphy and His Troubadours appeared early in the month.
The World’s Fair Tavern, Dove and Madison, announce that they will open on March 5.
Hotels
The DeWitt Clinton Hotel featured the Three Suns. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Suns
For a sample of their music, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_c1aAHA-rg The DeWitt also hosted Paul Barron’s Band with Beth Chandler this month.
April
Bars/Clubs
Freddy Engel and His Orchestra continued his run at the Rest Ye Inn on Route 20 – Western Avenue.
Jerome VanDeusen’s Swing Band held court at Big Charlie’s Harlem Grill at 52 ½ Hamilton Street in Albany.
Tommy Burns and His Orchestra played Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern, 27 Second Street in Rensselaer.
Jack Lawyer’s Music was featured at the Club 68, 68 Green Street.
Club Frolics, 79 South Pearl Street, held over Joe Mann and His Quaker State Five.
Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush, featured Terry Summers and His Music.
Rookie Davis and Her All-Colored Band played the Club Morocco, 2 – 1st Street in Troy.
The Moana Hawaiians played the Savoy, 301 Lark Street in Albany. Mazarella’s Orchestra continued their run at the Lark Tavern, Madison Avenue, in Albany.Skippy’s Music Bar, on Market Street, above Pearl Street, featured Jerry Shaw’s Orchestra.The Astoria Club Orchestra played Hepinstall’s Grill, 676 East Street, Rensselaer.
Air-O-Dance, Route 20 in Guilderland, featured Dick Newcomb and His Orchestra along with The Revellers and Robert Shaw and His Band.
Jack Melvin and His Orchestra appeared at Dinty’s Terrace Garden, north of the Latham Circle.
Frenchy’s Tugboat Inn, Rensselaer, featured an “orchestra every night”.
Hotels
The Francis Murphy Orchestra appeared at the Kenmore’s Rain-Bo Room. Ina Ray Hutton appeared earlier in the month.
The Ten Eyck Hotel featured the McFarland Twins and Their Orchestra plus the Three Suns.
May
Bars/Clubs
The Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra continued at the University Grill, Pearl Street.
Freddy Engel and His Ambassadors of Rhythm continued their run at the Rest Ye Inn.
Rookie Davis and Her 10 Piece Orchestra, advertised as “the liveliest, sweetest, swinging band in the Capital District” played the Swing Inn, Stop 33, Albany-Schenectady Road.
Arnold Bloodgood and His Orchestra appeared at Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern, Rensselaer.
The Tally-Ho Tavern at 50 Hudson Avenue featured Lester Lamont’s Review featuring music by Dick Clayton and His Rocking Chair Rhythm.
Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush, featured Joe Ceracci and Serenaders.
Rookie Davis and Her All Colored Band continued their gig at Club Morocco in Troy.
Air-O-Dance and Hepinstall’s Tavern featured their April line-up in May.
Hotels
Mike Riley and His Band played the Rain-Bo Room at the Kenmore. Riley’s famous song was “The Music Goes Round and Round” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnJksXVfGw
June
Bars/Clubs
The Jimmy D’Angelo Orchestra played the entire month of June at the University Club on Pearl.
Arnold Bloodgood and His Orchestra appeared at Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern, Rensselaer.
The Tally-Ho, 50 Hudson Avenue, featured Chick Robert’s Music and Vernon Craig, “Albany’s newest singing sensation”.Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush, featured Music by the Rhythm Boys; Robinson La Caniari of "Varieties of 1939" Famous Radio Show.
Jerry Shaw’s Orchestra continued their run at Skippy’s Music Bar.
Jimmy Gunn and His Dixie Serenaders joined the Knights of Rhythm at Air-O-Dance in Guilderland.
Dick Hardy’s Music, along with Chickie LaBelle, blues singer, played the Swing Inn on the Albany-Schenectady Road.
Jimmy Kennedy and His Rhythm Masters played the Hollywood Tavern, 64 Madison Avenue in Albany.
On the Lakeside Tavern, Snyder’s Lake, Al Sless played “music as you like it”.
Riley’s Lakehouse in Saratoga featured Al Jahns and His Orchestra.
Hotels
The Francis Murphy Orchestra would spend the summer at the Ten Eyck Hotel.
Frank Fitch and His Orchestra played the Lakeview Hotel on Kinderhook Lake.
The Horton Girl Orchestra played the Mohank Inn in South Bethlehem. This month also featured Nelson Karl and His Orchestra.
July
Bars/Clubs
The Klub Eagle continued to host Billy Harris on piano and Hughie Flynn, tenor.
The Rest Ye Inn hosted Al Sless with Cameo Kirby. Also performing this month was The Freddy Engel Orchestra.
Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern in Rensselaer hosted two bands this month – Doc Zanello and His Orchestra; Matt Bruder and His Hi Hatters.
The Tally-Ho featured John McCollough’s Music.
Crooked Lake Hotel featured Jack O’Donnell and His Band.
Al Freeman’s Music performed at Club Frolics.
Jerry Shaw’s Orchestra joined the Skippy Trio at Skippy’s Music Bar.
Smith’s Tavern on Pauling Avenue in Troy featured George Kelly; Chubby Smith; Lou Lorain; Bobby Evans; Gloria Reed; Kay Nixon; Vera Whitney - "Maid In America" Revue.
Appearing at the Swing Inn, Albany-Schenectady Road: Don Bexley and his "Hot From Harlem" Revue; Jimmy Walker and His Glamour Girls.
Alvin Sless also appeared at the Lakeside Tavern on Snyder’s Lake.
At Rudd’s Beach Club, Rookie Davis, “a show in herself”, appeared with the Parisian Divorcees.
At The Goblet, McKown’s Grove (off Western Avenue in Albany), Jimmy Williams and His Orchestra was billed as the “Capital District’s newest sensation”.
Gene Krupa’s Orchestra appeared at Mid-City Park, Silver Ballroom, in Menands.
At the Manor Inn in Rensselaer, Mike Pantone and His Orchestra appeared “formerly at Matt Loftus’”.
Forrest Willis and his WOKO Artists and Orchestra appeared at the Emerald Inn, Menands.
Gene Krupa’s Orchestra appeared at the Palace Theater in Albany.
Hotels
The Francis Murphy Orchestra continued their run at the Ten Eyck.
August
Bars/Clubs
The Rest Ye Inn is now called Gerard’s. Appearing this month – Freddy Engel and His Orchestra.
Billy Harris and Hughie Flynn continue their run at the Klub Eagle.
Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern on 2nd Street in Rensselaer featured Harold Reineck and His Orchestra alone with Matt Bruder’s Hi Hatters.
The Tally-Ho on Hudson Avenue started the month with Chick Robert’s Music featuring Vernon Craig. Later in the month, 4 Rhythm Aces - Dian Cardy; Sandra Sobel; Lillian Lowe; Vivian Doll joined Chick Roberts.
Al Gordon’s Music appeared in Club Frolics on South Pearl Street.
Paul Parker and his Orchestra with vocalist Ruth Slack settled in for an extended run at Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush.
Jerry Shaw’s Music continued their run at Skippy’s Music Bar.
Air-O-Dance basically went with their July lineup.
Mitzi Montay - World's Greatest Acrobatic Dancer joined Jakie Small's Creole Revue at the Swing Inn on the Albany-Schenectady Road.
Rudd’s Beach Night Club featured The Evans Family plus Pryde and Dell along with those popular Parisian Divorcees.
Jolly Coburn and his Band appeared at Riley’s Lake House in Saratoga. Give a listen to their music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUmV77E0-qg
McKown’s Grove hosted The Goblet Swingsters and the Bill LaCombe Orchestra. Also, Gloria Mans sang and played the guitar.
Hotels
The Francis Murphy Orchestra continued their run at the Ten Eyck Hotel.
September
Bars/Clubs
The University Club on Pearl hosted George Roff and His Dixieland Swing Band.
Big Charlie’s Harlem Grill, on Hamilton, featured Gladys Van Deusen's Band; Virginia Smith on vocals.
Harold Reinick and His Orchestra continued at Brockley’s in Rensselaer.
The Chick Roberts Orchestra continued at the Tally-Ho.
The Jamboree Club on 270 Hudson Avenue announced a “Re-opening” featuring music and dancing.
Paul Parker and His Orchestra continued their run at Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn.
Jerry Shaw’s Music continued at Skippy’s Music Bar in Albany.
Gus Robinson’s 8 Piece Swing Band played the Swing Inn.
Rudd’s Beach Night Club on the Albany-Schenectady Road hosted 2 orchestras; Barry Houston - singing MC; 6 Beautiful Hollywood Blondes.
Freddy Engel and His Orchestra played the Emerald Inn in Menands. Harold MInkler and His Orchestra also played the Inn this month.
Hotels
Francis Murphy and His Orchestra continued at the Ten Eyck.
October
Bars/Clubs
The Klub Eagle featured their long-running acts of Billie Harris and Hughie Flynn.
Buddy LaCombe’s Band continued at Gerard’s, formerly the Rest Ye Inn.
The Chick Robert’s Orchestra continued at the Tally-Ho in Albany.
Al Gordon and His Stars of the Blues along with the Frolic Rhythm Boys played Club Frolics.
Paul Parker and His Orchestra continued their long run at Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush.
Mike Pantone and His Boys played the Lark Tavern on Madison Avenue in Albany.
Skippy’s Music Bar continued to host Jerry Shaw’s Music.
Hepinstall’s Grill, 676 East Street in Rensselaer, hosted The Three Bills and “Johnnie”.
Howard Seim and His Orchestra played Air-O-Dance in Guilderland.
Hotels
Bruce Bubbles Baker and his Broadcasting Band; 3 Notes - Girl Trio; The Midshipmen – singers played the Kenmore/Rain-Bo Room.
The Men of Note played the Ten Eyck Hotel.
November
Bars/Clubs
George Roff and His Dixieland Swing Band continued their run at the University Club.
Billy Harris, piano, and Hughie Flynn, singer, appeared at the Klub Eagle, 32 Eagle Street.
Brockley’s Blue and White Tavern, Rensselaer, featured Harold Reinick and His Orchestra.
The Hi-Hat Tavern, 283 Green Street, featured the music of the Hi-Hatters.
The Frolic Rhythm Boys played the Club Frolics on South Pearl.
Paul Parker and His Orchestra extended their run at Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn, East Greenbush.
Skippy’s Music Bar carried the Jerry Shaw Orchestra through the month.
Butch Robertshaw’s Orchestra entertained at the Air-O-Dance in Guilderland.
The University Tap Room, 85 South Pearl, featured “Our New Girl Band, Miss Margie Ross and Her Musical Debutantes”.
Matt Bruder and His Orchestra played Osterhout’s Indian Ladder Lodge in the Helderbergs.
Hotels
Bubbles Baker and His Broadcasting Band opened the month at the Rain-Bo Room, Kenmore Hotel. Emery Deutsch and His Orchestra closed out the month.
The Men of Note continued their run at the Ten Eyck Hotel.
December
Bars/Clubs
George Roff continued at the University Club.
Gerard’s, on Route 20, featured Buddy LaCombe’s Band.
Brockley’s, Rensselaer, continued with Harold Reinick’s Orchestra.
Eddie Kelly and His Rhythm Boys played Club Frolics.
Paul Parker and His Orchestra played Hunter’s Clinton Heights Inn.
Dinty’s Terrace Garden, Latham, featured Al Schenk Holiday Show; Art Manse Orchestra.
The Hollywood Tavern, 64 Madison Avenue, featured Jakie Small's Revue; "Harlem Goes Frantic" with Gladys James, Lottie Lawyer.
The Lakeview Hotel, Kinderhook Lake, featured a holiday show featuring Battle of Music - Bud Carlson's Band vs. Conklin's Merrymakers.
Wally’s Gay Nineties Bar, 44 Beaver Street below Pearl, featured Prof. Sid Olsheim's Bowery Boys.
The University Tap Room on South Pearl featured Horton Girls Orchestra and Revue featuring The Horton Sisters. Jack Lawyer and His Brown Buddies featuring Miss Gwen Tynes also performed this month.
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