Unknown Band 1939: The Sideman 1931-1933

This LP from the collector's label Meritt allows one to hear the great trumpeter Bunny Berigan at the beginning of his career and near its conclusion, a span of only eight years. The bulk of this set consists of two radio broadcasts from Sept. 20 and 26, 1939, shortly before the alcoholic Berigan was forced to break up his no-name big band. Despite the problems facing him, Berigan is in reasonable form on these airchecks, typically putting his heart into each solo. This set concludes with early solos by Berigan with recording groups led by Fred Rich, Chick Bullock and Lee Wiley. Berigan collectors will want to search for this hard-to-find LP.