Russ Morgan

Russ Morgan & Wolverine Band

Russ Morgan was one of America's most popular big-band leaders in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Staring out in Pennsylvania in the early 1920's, he played trombone in bands with Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy Dorsey, moved to New York and wrote arrangements for John Phillip Sousa and Victor Herbert, toured Europe with Paul Specht's orchestra which included Paul Whiteman and Artie Shaw, and joined Jean Goldkette's orchestra upon his return to the states. For a short time, Morgan arranged for the Fletcher Henderson orchestra and in 1935 played trombone in the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. He became a music director for Brunswick records and was later offered the position of Musical Director for Detroit Radio Station WXYZ. His show, "Music in the Morgan Manner," became one of the most popular radio shows in the U.S. in 1939 he formed his own orchestra which had record breaking runs at some of the most prestigious ballrooms around the country. His orchestra continued to be popular throughout the 1950's. in the late 50's and early 1960's he recorded several fine albums for the Everest label, pioneers in the field of stereo recording. On the 1960 recording "Russ Morgan And His Wolverine Band," Morgan chose to revisit his Dixieland roots. Morgan is heard here on piano and wah-wah trombone, leading a nine piece band including Dixieland veterans - trumpeters Joe Graves and Dick Cathcart, clarinetist Matty Matlock, drummer Nick Fatool, guitarist George Van Eps, trombonist Tommy Pederson, saxophonist Eddie Miller, pianist Eddie Wilser and bassist Morty Corb. All selections newly remastered.