Issued Recordings 1944-1947

Personnel: Billy Butterfield (trumpet); Pat O'Connor, Sue Allen, Johnny Mercer (vocals); Matty Matlock, Hank D'Amico (alto, clarinet); Les Robinson (alto); Arthur Rollini, Eddie Miller (tenor); Danny Perri, Barry Galbraith, Carl Kress (guitar); Chris Griffin , Andrew Ferretti, Fern Caron, Archie Johnson, Yank Lawson, Jimmy Maxwell, Bob Peck (trumpet); Ward Silloway , Vernon Brown, Will Bradley, Cutty Cutshall, Jack Green (trombone); Dick Cary (alto horn); Johnny Guarnieri (piano); Cozy Cole, Morey Feld, Nick Fatool, Johnny Blowers (drums).
Liner Note Author: Tony Middleton .
Recording information: Los Angeles, CA (09/1944-11/1947); New York, NY (09/1944-11/1947).
Photographer: Tony Middleton .
Billy Butterfield is best remembered as a talented sideman, playing trumpet with various groups including Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, and the World's Greatest Jazz Band. But for a brief time between 1944 and 1947, he led his own big band. This European compilation gathers tracks he recorded commercially for Capitol and additional selections made strictly as radio transcriptions. Johnny Mercer is added on vocals for a swinging take of "It Ain't Necessarily So," while the leader's peppy playing is a highlight of "Oh! Lady Be Good." Butterfield also penned or co-wrote several songs, though none of them is particularly memorable. "Bugle Call Rag" was a jazz favorite long before bluegrass musicians discovered it, and this arrangement features Butterfield's sassy muted horn. Among the many musicians present are pianist Johnny Guarneri, bassist Bob Haggart, drummer Cozy Cole, guitarists Carl Kress and Barry Galbraith, trumpeter Chris Griffin, and baritone saxophonist Ernie Caceres. ~ Ken Dryden