1944 Esquire All-American Jazz Concert

(5 étoiles; 1 critique)

The 1944 Esquire All-American Jazz Concert took place at the Metropolitan Opera House and was broadcast on NBC Blue as well as AFRS as part of the "One Night Stand" series. This historic event marked the first jazz concert at the Met, made possible by a War Bond Drive, where admission was paid in War Bonds.

According to a New York Times article, the concert raised $650,000 for the war effort through ticket sales, with 3,600 attendees buying bonds to support the cause. The concert featured an impressive lineup of musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Barney Bigard, Al Casey, Sid Catlett, Roy Eldridge, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Red Norvo, Oscar Pettiford, Art Tatum, Jack Teagarden, and Teddy Wilson.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.