Bunny Berigan (1908-42) was one of the greatest trumpeters of all time. Whether hitting high notes or exploring the lower register of his horn, he had a beautiful tone. His exciting solos, which occasionally found him taking hair-raising chances, uplifted every session. Unfortunately Berigan’s alcoholism cut short his career and his life at the age of 33 but he left behind many exciting recordings.
After a stint with Hal Kemp during 1929-30, Berigan settled in New York as a studio musician who could always be relied to create hot solos. He recorded quite a bit during 1931-37 and contributed important solos that helped Benny Goodman in 1935 and Tommy Dorsey in 1937 have major hits. Berigan led his own big band during 1937-39 and 1941-42 but, other than his recording of “I Can’t Get Started,” his orchestra never caught on big despite his personal popularity due to his increasing unreliability.
Bunny Berigan – Selected Sides 1931-1937 is a well-conceived four-CD set from the British JSP label. Similar in format to the previously released limited-edition seven-CD Mosaic box The Complete Brunswick, Parlophone, and Vocalion Sessions, the JSP box has most of the cream from this important seven-year period in Berigan’s career.
The trumpeter is heard soloing with a variety of Depression era dance bands including Frank Auburn, Fred Rich, Chester Leighton, the Imperial Dance
