Sam Lanin

Sam Lanin, a bandleader who played clarinet in his early days, led an enormous number of record sessions during 1920-1931, over 500 dates resulting in over 1,800 recordings released under at least 172 different names. Lanin worked in radio during 1932-1937 and was so successful that he was able to retire in 1937 when he was just 46, 40 years before his death. Lanin's Vintage Music Productions release has 26 of his better recordings, including selections released by Lanin's Jazz Band, the Arkansas Travelers, Lanin's Red Heads, the Ipana Troubadours, the Broadway Bellhops (two numbers that include cornetist Bix Beiderbecke), the Okeh Melodians, and the Broadway Broadcasters. In addition to Bix, such notables as trombonist Miff Mole, cornetist Red Nichols (a major asset on many of the titles), C-melody saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer, trombonist Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby (who sings "Susiana"), and clarinetist Jimmy Dorsey make welcome appearances during these largely obscure but enjoyable performances, all but two of which are from 1925-1929. Fans of hot dance music of the late '20s will find much to enjoy here. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide