HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Buddy Morrow

Birth of Modern Jazz: Buddy Morrow

Buddy Morrow

Born Muni Zudekoff (called Moe) on 8 February 1919 in New Haven, Connecticut, trombonist, Buddy Morrow, composed titles like 'Heap Big Beat' and 'Memphis Drag' in 1953. Morrow began his career in jazz but would tend toward big band popular and easy listening over the years. He is thought to have first entered the recording studio in 1936 for Vocalion Records while a student at the Juilliard School (Institute of Musical Art at the time). During that time he recorded with Sharkey Bonano's Sharks of Rhythm. The writer at Alchetron places Zudekoff with Bonano as early as 7 October 1936 toward 'Mudhole Blues' (Vocalion 3353), 'Swing In Swing Out' (Vocalion 3353) and 'I'm Satisfied With My Gal' (Vocalion 3380). Discogs, however, shows that trombonist to be Santo Pecora (Vocalion 3353 / 3380). Tom Lord doesn't commence with Zudekoff until the next day on the 8th with Amanda Randolph toward such as 'For Sentimental Reasons' (Bluebird B-6617) and 'I've Got Something In My Eye' (Bluebird B-6617).

'For Sentimental Reasons'

Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Amanda Randolph and Her Orchestra

Morrow's first-known recording to issue

8 Oct 1936 in NYC Matrix 02108-1 Bluebird B-6617

Trumpet: Louis Garcia Clarinet: Al Weinstein

Piano: Gil Bowers Guitar: Abe Harris

Bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: Arnold Klein

Composition: Ivory "Deek" Watson / William "Pat" Best

'Doin' the Suzi-Q'

Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Amanda Randolph and Her Orchestra

Morrow's second-known recording to issue

8 Oct 1936 in NYC Matrix 02109-1 Bluebird B-6615

Trumpet: Louis Garcia Clarinet: Al Weinstein

Piano: Gil Bowers Guitar: Abe Harris

Bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: Arnold Klein

Composition: Benny Davis / J. Fred Coots

The Suzi-Q as a dance move: Rebecca Brightly Dance Forums Wikipedia

'He May Be Your Man'

Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Amanda Randolph and Her Orchestra

Morrow's third-known recording to issue

8 Oct 1936 in NYC Matrix 02110-1 Bluebird B-6617

Trumpet: Louis Garcia Clarinet: Al Weinstein

Piano: Gil Bowers Guitar: Abe Harris

Bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: Arnold Klein

Composition: Lemuel Fowler

'Please Don't Talk About My Man'

Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Amanda Randolph and Her Orchestra

Morrow's fifth-known recording to issue

8 Oct 1936 in NYC Matrix 02112-1 Bluebird B-6615

Trumpet: Louis Garcia Clarinet: Al Weinstein

Piano: Gil Bowers Guitar: Abe Harris

Bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: Arnold Klein

Music: Reginald Foresythe Lyrics: Andy Razaf

Morrow yet performed as Moe Zudekoff when he next briefly played in the bands of Eddie Duchin and Vincent Lopez before signing up with the more major operation of Artie Shaw in time to sit in on such as 'Love and Learn' and 'Moonface' with vocals by Peg LaCentra on November 30, 1936. Morrow's last session with Shaw was per the branding of Shaw's orchestra as the Rhythm Makers on February 19, 1937, for Thesaurus transcriptions (RCA for commercial, not retail, distribution to such as radio stations). Those are available per 'The Complete Rhythm Makers Sessions 1937-1938 Vol. 1' released in 2003.

'Love and Learn' Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Artie Shaw (clarinet) and His Orchestra

30 Nov 1936 in NYC Matrix 20342-2 Brunswick 7787

Trumpet: Lee Castle / Zeke Zarchy Tenor sax: Tony Pastor

Piano: Joe Lippman Violin: Jerry Gray / Frank Siegfield Guitar: Tony Gottuso

Viola: Sam Persoff Cello: Bill Schuman

Upright bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: George Wettling Vocal: Peg LaCentra

Music: Reginald Foresythe Lyrics: Andy Razaf

Zudekoff (Morrow) didn't record with Bonano until 4 December 1936, documenting several titles from 'Blowin' Off Steam' to a couple takes of 'When You're Smiling'.

'Blowing Off Steam' Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Sharkey Bonano and His Sharks of Rhythm

4 Dec 1936 in NYC Matrix 20365-1 Vocalion 3410

Trumpet: Sharkey Bonano (vocal) Tenor sax: Tony Pastor

Clarinet: Joe Marsala

Piano: Joe Bushkin Guitar: Eddie Condon

Upright bass: Artie Shapiro Drums: George Wettling

Composition: David Winstein

'My Blue Heaven' Moe Zudekoff (trombone) w Artie Shaw (clarinet) and His Orchestra

23 Dec 1936 in NYC Matrix 20451-1,3 Brunswick 7827

Trumpet: Lee Castle / Zeke Zarchy Tenor sax: Tony Pastor

Piano: Joe Lippman Violin: Jerry Gray / Frank Siegfield Guitar: Tony Gottuso

Viola: Sam Persoff Cello: Bill Schuman

Upright bass: Wim Feinbloom Drums: George Wettling Vocal: Peg LaCentra

Composition: Walter Donaldson / George Whiting

Morrow's career exceeding sixty years was, if not prolific, yet full enough with above 150 sessions, nigh twenty of those his own. Though Morrow didn't emphasize recording so much as his peers, that portion of his career was yet too full to follow very closely here. Among those requiring mention are the Dorseys with whom Muni changed his name to Buddy Morrow in 1938. After supporting vocalist, Dick Robertson, on July 21, 1937, Morrow first recorded with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra on October 4 that year, unissued titles: 'Getting Some Fun Out of Life' and 'In a Mission By the Sea'. His first titles with Dorsey to see release were per a CBS Radio tribute to Irving Berlin on August 3, 1938: 'Marie' and 'Now It Can Be Told'. Morrow stuck with Tommy until January of 1939 when Tommy combined his orchestra with Jimmy's on the 18th for 'Honeysuckle Rose' for NBC Radio. This combination of the Dorsey orchestras was the first that Morrow recorded with Jimmy, and the last with Tommy until 1949: 'Puddlewump', et al.

Joining Jimmy's band for a number of sessions in 1945, Morrow's first was for an AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Service) broadcast of 'One Night Stand 635' from Ocean Park, California, on July 19, such as 'Java Junction' and 'It's Only a Paper Moon'. Buddy's last titles with Jimmy were on December 26, another AFRS radio broadcast, 'One Night Stand 850', now from Newark, New Jersey: 'Opus 1', 'Don't You Remember', et al.

In the meanwhile, between Tommy and Jimmy's orchestras Morrow performed with Paul Whiteman's operation, recording per Whiteman's Bouncing Brass on April 6, 1939, such as 'Heat Wave' and 'Home Again Blues'. His first tracks with the Bob Crosby Orchestra were in Los Angeles on September 4, 1941, toward such as 'A Gay Ranchero' (vocal by Liz Tilton) and 'Something New' (vocal by Bob Crosby). His last recordings with Crosby were on June 10, 1942, a transcription session for Standard in Los Angeles: 'Soft Jive', 'Yank's Lament', etc.. There would be a reunion on April 4, 1967, with Crosby's Bobcats, putting out such as 'Ja-Da' and 'Washington and Lee Swing'. Morrow had also supported Bob's brother, Bing Crosby, on a few occasions in 1942, the first for the soundtrack to 'Holiday Inn'.

After his run with the Crosbys Morrow joined the U.S. Navy per World War II. Stationed on Staten Island, he played trombone with a Navy band. He was in the Navy on October 5, 1944, when he recorded tracks with the Red McKenzie Orchestra in NYC, such as 'Sweet Lorraine' and 'It's the Talk of the Town'. Just when he left the Navy is uncertain, but he next recorded with Yank Lawson on February 12, 1945, for V-Disc. V-Disc was a U.S. military label established to the purpose of entertaining troops, but military membership was hardly requisite. Another session with Lawson went down before Morrow joined Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra per above. Occasion arose for Morrow to lead Dorsey's band while Jimmy was ill.

In 1947 Morrow formed his own orchestra. His initial session as leader in New York City on February 18, 1952, for RCA Victor went unissued: 'The Beat o' My Heart', 'Water Boy' and 'East Side Drive'. His next on April 12 in Hollywood yielded 'Vereda Tropical' and 'Night Train'.

'Vereda Tropical' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

12 April 1952 in Hollywood Matrix E2-VB-5309-1 Victor 20/47-4693

Trumpet: A. Russotti / Lin Blaisdell / Sam Scavone

Trombone: Fred Angst / Berk Alexander / Paul Gilmore

Alto sax: Shelly Gold Tenor sax: H. Mineich / Pat Balbo

Baritone sax: Harry Wuest Piano: Billy Jacob

Upright bass: Dick Nivison Drums: Irv Cottler

Composition: Gonzalo Gabriel

'Night Train' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

12 April 1952 in Hollywood Matrix E2-VB-5310-1 Victor 20/47-4693

Trumpet: A. Russotti / Lin Blaisdell / Sam Scavone

Trombone: Fred Angst / Berk Alexander / Paul Gilmore

Alto sax: Shelly Gold Tenor sax: H. Mineich / Pat Balbo

Baritone sax: Harry Wuest Piano: Billy Jacob

Upright bass: Dick Nivison Drums: Irv Cottler

Composition: Jimmy Forest 1951

'Heap Big Beat' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

9 March 1953 in NYC Matrix E3-VB-0818-1 Victor 20/47-5295

Trumpet: Lin Blaisdell / Mickey Palmer / John Domenico / Red Solomon

Trombone: Berk Alexander / Paul Gilmore / Ray Nowick

Alto sax: Amadeo Nazzaro / Hal Tennyson Tenor sax: Fred Greenwell / Paul Orofice

Baritone sax: Harry Wuest Piano: Buddy Freed Guitar: Danny Perri

Upright bass: Frank Savo Drums: Bill Chamoni

Composition: Morrow

'I'll Close My Eyes' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

1956 See the album 'Golden Trombone' on Mercury MG 20221

Arrangement: Walt Stuart

Composition: Billy Reid / Buddy Kaye

'Laura' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

1956 See the album 'Golden Trombone' on Mercury MG 20221

Arrangement: Walt Stuart

Composition: David Raksin / Johnny Mercer

'Sweet Sue (Just You)' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

From the album 'dancing tonight to MORROW' recorded 21/22 July 1958

RCA Victor LSP-1925

Music: Victor Young Lyrics: Will Harris 1928

'Twilight Zone' Buddy Morrow (trombone) and His Orchestra

From the 1960 album 'Double Impact'

RCA Victor LSP-2180

Composition: Bernard Herrmann

During the sixties Morrow was a member of the 'Tonight Show' band. In 1977 he began to lead the Tommy Dorsey ghost orchestra. (Tommy had died on November 26, 1956, his brother, Jimmy, the following year on June 12.) Tom Lord traces Morrow to as late as April of 1995 for a rendition of 'Night Train' on Bill Alfred's 'Swing Riot!'. Morrow's final appearance with the Tommy Dorsey ghost band was in September 2010, dying three days later on the 27th [obit].