In this episode, Mike guides us through the life and career of Wisconsin’s own, Bunny Berigan. Although his time was short, he quickly established himself as one of the leading trumpeters of the swing era.

As you might expect, there is very little footage of Berigan. I was able to find a couple clips of him playing with the Fred Rich Orchestra in 1936. Here he sings and solos to a tune “Until Today.” And in this gem, you can catch him playing the tin whistle alongside Jerry Colanna as they play “Take My Heart.” 

As mentioned in the episode, Berigan’s solo on “Marie” with Tommy Dorsey’s band became legendary. Dorsey later incorporated Berigan’s solo in future arrangements of the tune, with the trumpets playing a soli transcription. Here they are playing “Marie” (at a much brighter tempo than the original recording) on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1963, with the trumpet soli happening at 0:45. 

Listen to the songs featured on this episode, as well bonus tunes, on Spotify.

Song Credits:

“Frankie and Johnny;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra; Written by Henderson, De Sylva, & Brown; RCA, 1938

“Solo Hop;” Performed by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra; Written by Glenn Miller; Columbia, 1935

“Black Bottom;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra; Written by Henderson, De Sylva, & Brown; RCA Victor, 1937

“King Porter Stomp;” Performed by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra; Written by Ferd. Morton arr. by Fletcher Henderson; RCA Victor, 1935

“Marie;” Performed by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra; Written by Irving Berlin; RCA Victor, 1937

“Song of India;” Performed by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra; Written by Rimsky-Korsakov; RCA Victor, 1937

“I Can’t Get Started;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra; Written by Ira Gerswhin & Vernon Duke; RCA Victor, 1938

“The Prisoner’s Song;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and his Orchestra; Written by Guy Massey; RCA Victor, 1937

“No Regrets;” Performed by Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra; Written by Tobias & Ingraham; Brunswick, 1936

“Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love;” Performed by Lee Wiley with Bunny Berigan’s Music; Written by Cole Porter; Liberty, 1940

“I’m Coming, Virginia;” Performed by Bunny Berigan’s Blue Boys; Written by Donald Heywood & Will marion Cook; Parlophone, 1935

“Davenport Blues;” Performed by Bunny Berigan and His Men; Written by Bix Beiderbecke; RCA Victor, 1938