Tonal Color Serenade

Very little is known about Bob Strong and his orchestra. A saxophonist who mostly played alto (although also occasionally heard on oboe and English horn), Strong played in the 1920s with Jean Goldkette and was based in Chicago in the 1930s, freelancing as an arranger. Although he led a big band on the radio in 1939, he mostly led his orchestra around 1944-1945 and does not seem to have recorded any studio sessions. However, three LPs of radio broadcasts from 1944-1945 of Strong's band were released by the Golden Era, Aircheck, and Joyce labels in the 1970s. The music on Tonal Color Serenade is excellent with some fine swing soloists, making one really regret the complete absence of liner notes or personnel information. One will just have to learn to enjoy this swinging music without knowing anything about it!