Complete Artie Shaw, Vol. 7 (1939-1945)

The final volume in this definitive series of two-LP sets covers Artie Shaw's 1945 orchestra, a band that boasted the playing of trumpeter Roy Eldridge, pianist Dodo Marmarosa and guitarist Barney Kessel; all three joined Shaw and the rhythm section in his Gramercy Five also. The band often hints strongly at bop and has moments of excitement, but the end of the swing era brought its demise. All seven volumes in this series should be acquired if they can still be found.