Sam Lanin and His Orchestra

Sam Lanin and His Orchestra were a powerhouse studio collective lighting up the jazz and dance band scene of the 1920s and early 1930s. Led by bandleader Sam Lanin, this flexible ensemble served as a revolving door for top-tier jazz talent, featuring future legends like trombonist Tommy Dorsey, saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey, and a pre-fame Glenn Miller alongside hot jazz pioneers Red Nichols and Miff Mole. Their recordings—peppered with peppy dance numbers, romantic ballads, and hot jazz improvisations—captured the energy of the Roaring Twenties, often cut under pseudonyms or as backing bands for vocalists. While Lanin himself wasn’t a flashy frontman, his knack for assembling killer musicians (and letting them shine) made his orchestra a go-to for labels like OKeh, cementing their role as architects of early jazz and big band’s golden age.

Genres

Vocal Jazz

Calypso

Ragtime

Latest Release

Sam Lanin and His Orchestra (Manny Klein, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey) [Recorded 1930] [Encore 8]

Sam Lanin and His Orchestra

Album - 22 Tracks - Released May 18, 2020