The War Years (1942 - 1946)

Coinciding with the onset of World War II, the American Federation of Musicians declared a recording strike, much to the irritation of FDR and the government. The strike lasted for years, with many suggesting that the musicians were aiding the war effort by not producing non-essential commercial product -- a myth that has grown with the decades. Joining his union brethren, Louis pretty much stayed out of studio work for the duration of World War II. Happily, however, many recordings have survived in the form of radio broadcast transcriptions and discs earmarked for distribution to the G.I.s overseas.

A fair number of these records and tapes have surfaced over the years and have been passed among collectors or released in limited numbers under obscure labels. Some are more commonly available, and many are now turning up on CD. Though clearly apart from Louis' major label oeuvre, they are generally spirited collections of material by a man who seemed to live only to perform.

Cabin In The Sky (film)
August 28, 1942, Los Angeles, CA

Trumpet Break
Ain't It The Truth

A few numbers for an MGM musical. Armstrong is credited as "The Trumpeter". "Ain't It The Truth" was cut from the film.

More info at imdb.com

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #74 (Blue Network) (radio)
December 15, 1942, Unknown

Radio program sponsored by Coca Cola

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #83 (Blue Network) (radio)
December 25, 1942, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Darling Nelly Gray
Me And Brother Bill
Mr. Five By Five
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
Ain't It The Truth
When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Galbreath, Frank (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Flood, Bernard (Trumpet)
Washington, George (Trombone)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Cole, Rupert (Alto Saxophone)
Frye, Carl (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone)
Russell, Luis (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Simmons, John (Bass)
Catlett, Sidney (Drums)

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #117 (Blue Network) (radio)
February 3, 1943, Unknown

Radio program sponsored by Coca Cola

AFRS Jubilee* Recording Sessions for Programs #16, #19, #21, #24, #25, #26, #49 and #58* (radio)
March - April 1943, NBC Studios, Los Angeles, CA

I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo
Me And Brother Bill
Coquette
Shine
Lazy River
One O' Clock Jump
Blues in the Night
If I Could Be With You
Confessin'
In The Mood
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Baby Don't You Cry
Barrelhouse Bessie From Basin Street
Harlem Stomp
Ain't Misbehavin
The Peanut Vendor
Lazy River
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Leap Frog
Dear Old Southland
Blues in the Night
Ol' Man Mose
Ain't That Just Like A Man
Harris, Theresa (Vocal)
Slender, Tender and Tall
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Galbreath, Frank (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Flood, Bernard (Trumpet)
Washington, George (Trombone)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Cole, Rupert (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone, Bass Saxophone, Arranger)
Russell, Luis (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Sturgis, Ted (Bass)
Morrison, Chick (Drums)

Although portions of the AFRS Jubilee programs were recorded in front of a live audience, most of the music was pre-recorded separately and then combined with spoken intros and canned audience sound to create programs that sounded live. Armstrong's contributions to the series probably came from these sessions. A handful of comedy skits were also probably recorded here, featuring Jack Benny, Ernie Whitman and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.

AFRS "Downbeat" Programs #16 and #30 (radio)
Early 1943, Los Angeles, CA

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Coquette
I've Got A Gal in Kalamazoo
Slender, Tender and Tall
Baker, Ann (Vocal)
Lazy River
You Can't Get Stuff In Your Cuff
Baker, Ann (Vocal) Washington, George (Vocal)
Me and Brother Bill
On The Sunny Side of the Street

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Galbreath, Frank (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Flood, Bernard (Trumpet)
Washington, George (Trombone)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Cole, Rupert (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone)
Russell, Luis (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Sturgis, Ted (Bass)
Morrison, Chick (Drums)

Downbeat was a disk jockey program that included interviews, commercial recordings and recordings from other AFRS programs. Session dating and sourcing for these two programs is speculation by Willems.

Jam Session (film)
April 23, 1943, Los Angeles, CA

I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Galbreath, Frank (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Flood, Bernard (Trumpet)
Washington, George (Trombone, Vocal)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Cole, Rupert (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone)
Russell, Luis (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Sturgis, Ted (Bass)
Morrison, Chick (Drums)

More info at imdb.com

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #250 (Blue Network) / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #94 (radio)
July 8, 1943, Unknown Location

Coca Cola had sponsored the Spotlight Bands series since 1941. The AFRS began transcribing 15-minute versions of the Spotlight Bands series in March of 1943 onto 16" disks with no commercials.

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #284 (Blue Network) / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #128 (radio)
August 17, 1943, Naval Air Station, Dallas, TX

I Never Knew
What's The Good Word, Mr. Bluebird
Baker, Ann (Vocal)
I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City
You'll Never Know
Anderson, Jimmy (Vocal)
Lazy River
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Galbreath, Frank (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Flood, Bernard (Trumpet)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Cole, Rupert (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone)
Wiggins, Gerry (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Hill, Ernest (Bass)
Price, Jesse (Drums)

Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #288 (Blue Network) / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #132 (radio)
August 21, 1943, New Orleans, LA

NBC Chamber Music Society Of Lower Basin Street (radio)
November 7, 1943, New York, NY

I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Pistol Packin' Mama

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Laval, Paul (Clarinet, Leader)
Rattina, Angel Barnes (Trumpet)
Cassell, Milton (Reeds)
Wade, Henry (Reeds)
Adler, Rudolph (Reeds)
Evans, Alfred (Reeds)
Janarro, Mario (Piano, Celeste)
Colucci, Anthony (Guitar)
Patent, Henry (Bass)
Levine, Nat (Drums)

NBC Broadcast hosted by Milton Cross. Paul Laval orchestra personnel are speculative by Willems based on information from earlier broadcast.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #380 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #225 (radio)
December 8, 1943, Coliseum, Houston, Texas

Exactly Like You
People Will Say We're In Love
Anderson, Jimmy (Vocal)
Pistol Packin' Mama
Harlem Stomp
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Don't Cry Baby
Booze, Wee Bea (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Sapp, Hosea (Trumpet)
Hemphill, Shelton (Trumpet)
Lott, Jimmy (Trumpet)
Haughton, John "Shorty" (Trombone)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Chambers, Henderson (Trombone)
Evans, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Robinson, Prince (Tenor Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone)
Wiggins, Gerry (Piano)
Lucie, Lawrence (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Price, Jesse (Drums)

Broadcast transcription.

ABC Broadcast Transcription
January 16, 1944, New York, NY

Basin Street Blues
Esquire Blues
Honeysuckle Rose

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Eldridge, Roy (Trumpet)
Teagarden, Jack (Trombone, Vocal)
Bigard, Barney (Clarinet)
Hawkins, Coleman (Tenor Saxophone)
Tatum, Art (Piano)
Wilson, Teddy (Piano)
Casey, Al (Guitar)
Pettiford, Oscar (Bass)
Catlett, Sid (Drums)
Woodbury Soap Symphony Orchestra (Unknown personnel)

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #416 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #261 (radio)
January 18, 1944, Metropolitan Opera House, New York, NY

I Can't Give You Anything But Love
I Got A Right To Sing The Blues
I Got Rhythm
Basin Street Blues
Back O' Town Blues
Muskrat Ramble
Stompin' At The Savoy
Flying Home
Star Spangled Banner

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Eldridge, Roy (Trumpet)
Teagarden, Jack (Trombone, Vocal)
Bigard, Barney (Clarinet)
Hawkins, Coleman (Tenor Saxophone)
Wilson, Teddy (Piano)
Casey, Al (Guitar)
Pettiford, Oscar (Bass)
Catlett, Sid (Drums)
Hampton, Lionel (Vibraphone)

Partial broadcast of a concert by the Esquire (magazine) All Star Jazz Band. Only songs including Armstrong are listed.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #432 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #277 (radio)
February 5, 1944, Unknown Location

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Fletcher, Milton (Trumpet)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Sapp, Hosea (Trumpet)
Brown, Frank (Trumpet)
Whitney, James (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Morton, J. (Trombone)
Evans, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
Hayman, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, Conductor)
Dorsey, Bob (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Gaddy, Willy (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcription. Louis begins the year with a larger, almost entirely new big band.

The Million Dollar Band (NBC) (radio)
March 18, 1944, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY

Live broadcast for NBC.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #474 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #319 (radio)
March 25, 1944, Allis-Chalmers Company, Milwaukee, WI

Roll 'Em
No Love No Nothing
Go South, Young Man
Oh, Lady Be Good
The Shuffle

AFRS Command Performance #120 (radio)
April, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Lazy River

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Unknown personnel (Studio Orchestra)

Broadcast transcription.

AFRS Jubilee Program #80
May, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Recording session for the pre-recorded radio program. Jazz legend Dexter Gordon joins the Orchestra, until departing for Billy Eckstine's outfit in December, 1944.

AFRS One Night Stand #240 / #253 (radio)
May 19 - June 5, 1944, Trianon Ballroom, South Gate, CA

Ain't Misbehavin'
Swanee River
Easy As You Go
Baby Don't You Cry
I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night
A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody
I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City
Keep On Jumpin'
No Love No Nothing
Blues in the Night
Don't Sweetheart Me
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
I'll Be Around
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Fletcher, Milton (Trumpet)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grider, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fats" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, Conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emitt (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcriptions from multiple performances for two different programs.

AFRS One Night Stand program #267 (radio)
May 23, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Broadcast transcription.

Atlantic City (film)
May, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Harlem On Parade
Ain't Misbehavin'

Pops makes his first movie in two years, sharing the screen with the effervescent Dorothy Dandridge.

More info at imdb.com

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #537 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #382 (radio)
June 7, 1944, Stockton Fields, CA

King Porter Stomp
It's Love, Love, Love
Ain't Misbehavin
When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Broadcast transcription.

Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
August, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Broadcast transcription recording of a live performance.

Pillow to Post (film)
August, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Whatcha Say

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Dorothy Dandridge (Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

More info at imdb.com

Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
August 9, 1944, Los Angeles, CA

Groovin' (McRae; Brown; O'Nan) [master L-3500] -- Decca (LP) DL9225
Baby Don't You Cry (unknown) [master L-3501] -- Decca withheld
Whatcha Say (unknown) [master L-3502] -- Decca withheld

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James "Coatsville" (Drums)

Louis and his band appear in a Decca recording studio for the first time since the musicians union ban began in 1942. Though the recording ban was coming to an end, these tracks still were not commercially released until many years later, when they became available on that new innovation, the LP record.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #599 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #444 (radio)
August 18, 1944, Fort Huachuca, AZ

Louise
Goin' My Way
Groovin'
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcription.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #620 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #465 (radio)
September 12, 1944, Camp Reynolds, Pennsylvania

Perdido
Me and Brother Bill
Ain't Misbehavin'
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcription.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #641 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #486 (radio)
October 5, 1944, Tuskegee Air Base, Tuskegee, Alabama

Keep On Jumpin'
Swingin' On A Star
Confessin'
It Had To Be You
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcription.

ABC Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #658 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #503 (radio)
October 26, 1944, Texas

Louise
Dance With The Dolly
Lazy River
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Currant, Lester (Trumpet)
Baird, Taswell (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Brown, Willard (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, vocal, conductor)
Gordon, Dexter (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Slay, Emmet (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Broadcast transcription.

V-Disc All-Star Jam Session
December 7, 1944, NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY

Jack-Armstrong Blues (Teagarden, Jack; Armstrong, Louis) [master VP-1054-1]
Jack-Armstrong Blues (Teagarden, Jack; Armstrong, Louis) [master VP-1054-2] -- V-Disc 384-A

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet)
Butterfield, Billy (Trumpet)
Teagarden, Jack (Trombone, Vocal)
McGarity, Lou (Trombone)
Hackett, Bobby (Cornet)
Caceres, Ernie (Clarinet)
Caiazza, Nick (Tenor Saxophone)
Guarnieri, Johnny (Piano)
Ellis, Herb (Guitar)
Hall, Al (Bass)
Cole, Cozy (Drums)

Enter the All-Stars - not precisely the group that would bring Armstrong back to the forefront of the jazz scene a few years later, but the general idea: a slimmed-down combo not far removed from the Hot Fives and Sevens of the Twenties. Two figures key to this transition appear on this V-Disc session: Jack Teagarden and Cozy Cole, future All-Stars.

Louis Armstrong And The V-Disc All-Stars
December 7, 1944, NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY

Confessin' That I Love You (Neiburg; Dougherty; Reynolds) [master VP-1079-1] -- Unreleased
Confessin' That I Love You (Neiburg; Dougherty; Reynolds) [master VP-1079-2] -- V-Disc 491-B

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Teagarden, Jack (Trombone, Vocal)
Hackett, Bobby (Cornet)
Caceres, Ernie (Clarinet)
Caiazza, Nick (Tenor Saxophone)
Guarnieri, Johnny (Piano)
Ellis, Herb (Guitar)
Hall, Al (Bass)
Cole, Cozy (Drums)

Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
January 14, 1945, New York, NY

Jodie Man (Roberts; Fisher) [master 72692-A] -- Decca 18652
I Wonder (Gant; Leven) [master 72693-A] -- Decca 18652

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Butterfield, Billy (Trumpet)
Stoneburn, Sid (Alto Saxophone)
Rubin, Jules (Alto Saxophone)
Stegmeyer, Bill (Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet)
Rollini, Arthur (Tenor Saxophone)
Ricci, Paul (Saxophone)
Bowman, Dave (Piano)
Kress, Carl (Guitar)
Haggart, Bob (Bass, Arranger, Conductor)
Blowers, Johnny (Drums)

ABC Broadcast / AFRS One Night Stand #489 (radio)
January 17, 1945, Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, LA

Back O' Town Blues
Arkansas Blues
Confessin'
Dear Old Southland
Basin Street Blues
Johnson, Bunk (Trumpet)

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Higginbotham, J.C. (Trombone)
Bechet, Sidney (Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone)
Johnson, James P. (Trombone)
Alexis, Richard (Bass)
Barbarin, Paul (Drums)

Broadcast transcription. ABC and AFRS had separate microphone setups and, thus, separate recordings. New Orleans trumpet legend Bunk Johnson, who had recently been plucked from retirement and given a new set of teeth, is a shadow of his former self briefly heard on Basin Street Blues.

The 2nd Annual American Swing Festival - A Tribute to Fats Waller (radio)
February 11, 1945, New York, NY

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
On The Sunny Side of the Street
I Got Rhythm

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet)
Autrey, Herman (Trumpet)
Sedric, Gene (Tenor Saxophone)
Flowers, Pat (Piano)
Casey, Al (Guitar)
Wallace, Cedric (Bass)
Trappier, Art (Drums)
Norvo, Red (Vibraphone)

AFRS One Night Stand #540 (radio)
February 13 - 20, 1945, The New Zanzibar, New York, NY

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
On the Sunny Side Of the Street
A Little On The Lonely Side
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
Accentuate The Positive
Saturday Night is the Lonliest Night
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Always
It Ain't Me
Confessin'
Blame It On Me

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Brown, Jesse (Trumpet)
Grinder, Thomas (Trumpet)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Jordan, Ludwig (Trumpet)
Moore, Russell "Big Chief" (Trombone)
Powe, Norman (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Brown, John (Alto Saxophone)
Evans, Joe (Alto Saxophone)
McRae, Teddy (Tenor Saxophone, conductor)
Davis, Eddie "Lockjaw" (Tenor Saxophone)
Thompson, Ernest (Baritone Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Warner, Elmer (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

The One Night Stand program was edited together from two separate broadcasts a week apart. One jazz legend replaces another as Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis briefly replaces Dexter Gordon.

AFRS Magic Carpet program #101 (radio)
August, 1945, Trianon Ballroom, South Gate, CA

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
It Ain't Me
Stardust
Caldonia

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Butler, Robert (Trumpet)
Vann, Lewis (Trumpet)
Jordan, Ludwig (Trumpet)
Moore, Russell "Big Chief" (Trombone)
Powe, Norman (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Dennis, Arthur (Alto Saxophone)
Hill, Don (Alto Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone, conductor)
Thomas, Milt (Tenor Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Warner, Elmer (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

Personnel uncertain.

AFRS "Jubilee" Program #146 (radio)
September, 1945, Los Angeles, CA

Accentuate The Positive
I Wonder

Recording session for the pre-recorded AFRS program.

AFRS "Jubilee" Program #146 (radio)
September, 1945, Los Angeles, CA

On The Sunny Side of the Street

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Morse, Ella Mae (Vocal)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Butler, Robert (Trumpet)
Vann, Lewis (Trumpet)
Jordan, Ludwig (Trumpet)
Moore, Russell "Big Chief" (Trombone)
Powe, Norman (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Dennis, Arthur (Alto Saxophone)
Hill, Don (Alto Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone, conductor)
Thomas, Milt (Tenor Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Warner, Elmer (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

AFRS "Jubilee" Program #146 (radio)
September, 1945, Los Angeles, CA

Armstrong, Louis (Trumpet, Vocal)
Sinatra, Frank (Vocal)
Ford, Andrew "Fatso" (Trumpet)
Butler, Robert (Trumpet)
Vann, Lewis (Trumpet)
Jordan, Ludwig (Trumpet)
Moore, Russell "Big Chief" (Trombone)
Powe, Norman (Trombone)
Martin, Adam (Trombone)
Anderson, Larry (Trombone)
Dennis, Arthur (Alto Saxophone)
Hill, Don (Alto Saxophone)
Garland, Joe (Tenor Saxophone, conductor)
Thomas, Milt (Tenor Saxophone)
Swanston, Ed (Piano)
Warner, Elmer (Guitar)
Moore, Alfred (Bass)
Harris, James (Drums)

MBS Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #915 / AFRS Spotlight Bands program #762 (radio)
October 31, 1945, Geiger Field, Spokane, WA

When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Perdido
Back O' Town Blues
Gotta Be This or That
Middleton, Velma (Vocal)
Me and Brother Bill

Broadcast transcription.