Ziggy Elman played trumpet beautifully and made lasting, significant contributions to the ripening of jazz and swing during the months immediately preceding the Second World War. As if to illustrate the point, this first segment of Elman's chronology contains his Bluebird recordings dating from December 28, 1938, through December 26, 1939. During this period, the trumpeter's band invariably consisted of two alto and two tenor saxophones with piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Over the course of 12 months a series of fine players passed through Elman's band. Among them were saxophonists Arthur Rollini, Babe Russin, Hymie Schertzer, Toots Mondello, and Jerry Jerome, and pianists Jess Stacy, Milt Raskin, and Johnny Guarnieri. The opening track, "Fralich in Swing," would soon become famous as Benny Goodman's hugely popular "And the Angels Sing." After playing it through at a languid pace, Elman accelerates the tempo to reveal the melody's origins as a Jewish wedding dance. For the flip side Elman chose "Bublitchki," an attractive update of a traditional Slavic air. In a strikingly hip maneuver, his next pair of tunes were drawn from the Richard M. Jones and Maceo Pinkard catalog, respectively. The tasteful repertoire presented throughout this compilation combines relaxing ballads ("I'll Never Be the Same" is particularly eloquent) and catchy dance tunes ("Zaggin' with Zig"). The Judaic element resurfaces nicely during the peculiarly titled "What Used to Was Used to Was (Now It Ain't)." This entire disc is packed with friendly, accessible jazz that swings. No gimmicks, no gags, no self-conscious singers. Ziggy didn't need 'em. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1 Fralich in Swing (And the Angels Sing) 3:18
Ziggy Elman feat: Ziggy Elman & His Orchestra
2 Bublitchiki 3:06
Traditional
Ziggy Elman feat: Ziggy Elman & His Orchestra
3 29th and Dearborn 2:54
Richard M. Jones
4 Sugar 2:57
Edna Alexander / Sidney Mitchell / Maceo Pinkard
5 You're Mine, You 3:17
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
6 Let's Fall in Love 2:56
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
7 Zaggin' with Zig 3:05
Ziggy Elman feat: Ziggy Elman & His Orchestra
8 I'll Never Be the Same 3:01
Gus Kahn / Matty Malneck / Frank Signorelli
9 You Took Advantage of Me 2:30
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10 I'm Yours 3:04
Johnny Green / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
11 Am I Blue? 2:35
Harry Akst / Grant Clarke
12 I Have Everything to Live For 2:49
Noni Bernardi / Ziggy Elman
13 What Used to Was Used to Was (Now It Ain't) 3:26
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / David Meyerowitz
14 Bye 'n' Bye 3:12
Ziggy Elman feat: Ziggy Elman & His Orchestra
15 Love Is the Sweetest Thing 2:39
Ray Noble
16 Deep Night 3:30
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
17 Forgive My Heart (You Are My Happiness) 3:20
Ziggy Elman feat: Ziggy Elman & His Orchestra
18 Tootin' My Baby Back Home 3:03
Noni Bernardi / Ziggy Elman
19 I'm Through with Love 3:21
Gus Kahn / Fud Livingston / Matty Malneck
20 Something to Remember You By 3:13
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Dave Matthews (tracks: 1 to 4), Hymie Schertzer (tracks: 5 to 12), Noni Bernardi, Toots Mondello (tracks: 13 to 20)
Double Bass [String Bass] – Artie Bernstein (tracks: 5 to 8; 13 to 20), Harry Goodman (tracks: 1 to 4), Joe Schwartzman (tracks: 9 to 12)
Drums – Al Kendis (tracks: 1 to 12), Nick Fatool (tracks: 13 to 20)
Guitar – Ben Heller
Piano – Jess Stacy (tracks: 1 to 12), Johnny Guarnieri (tracks: 17 to 20), Milt Raskin (tracks: 13 to 16)
Tenor Saxophone – Arthur Rollini (tracks: 1 to 8; 13 to 20), Babe Russin (tracks: 9 to 12), Jerry Jerome
Trumpet – Ziggy Elman 
After a historic up-and-down, cross-country trip to Los Angeles, Benny Goodman & His Orchestra became a sensation, launching the swing era. This set has the first selections by the Benny Goodman Trio (featuring the clarinetist with pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Gene Krupa) and the initial big band recordings after Benny Goodman was crowned the king of swing, including his closing theme song, "Goodbye," "When Buddha Smiles," "Stompin' at the Savoy," and "Goody Goody" (Helen Ward's biggest hit). The next few years found Benny Goodman at the top of the music world. Scott Yanow
