purtic PRESS RELEASE LIBRARY 222 Ease Harvard Street Glendale, CA 91205-1075 Phone (818)549-2030 Fe (818)548-7225 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE wow. plendalepabliclibrary-org When Swing Was The Thing: The History of the Big Band Era GLENDALE, CA John Tumpak, jazz historian, LA. Jazz Scene journalist, and author of When Swing Was the Thing: Personality Profiles of the Big Band Era, will discuss The History of the Big Band Era, when powerlul fifteen piece swing dance bands dominated American entertainment, filing ballrooms to capacity, playing on popular radio shows, and appearing in the movies. The free event starts at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 29, at the Glendale Public Library Auditorium, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, 91205. For more information call (818) 548-2042. ‘Tumpak will talk about the Era's development, its peak of popularity from 1935 to 1945, and its ending in 1946. He will present and discuss recorded selections from the Era's hit recordings and show rare 1840s film clips of the big bands performing in the movies, ‘Among the many bandleaders to be featured will be Les Brown, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Kay Kyser, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Chick Webb. Vocalists will include Harry Babbitt, Tex Beneke, Doris Day, Bob Eberly. Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Forrest, Paula Kelly, the Mills Brothers, the Modernaires, Helen O'Connell, Ginny Sims, and Martha Tilton. ‘Admission is free and there will be ample time for questions at the end of the program. ant CONTACT Chuck Wike, Library Community Relations, (818) 548-2042 cwike@ci.glendale.ca.usBrand Library & Art Center Glendale Public Library, A Department of the City of Glendale 1601 West Mountain Street Glendale, CA 91201 Telephone: (818) 548-2051 Fax: (618) 548-5079 vwoww. brandlibrary.org Press Contact: Blair Whittington (818) 548-2026 PRESS RELEASE ‘On Wednesday May 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM jazz historian John R. Tumpak will present a A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is recognized as "America's First Lady of Song" and is arguably the greatest female jazz vocalist. Her ability to scat, improvise lyrics, and swing @ song ere second to-none.-Tony Bennett, Johany-Mathis,-and Frank Sinatra are among the many singers who consider her to be America's foremost vocalist. Tumpak writes for L.A. Jazz Scene and recently authored the book When ‘Swing Was the Thing: Personality Profiles of the Big Band Era. ‘Tumpak will feature selections from her fifty three hit records and discuss the little known personal lfe of the intensely private music icon. He will also show movie and TV clips of her performances. The history of all phases of Fitzgerald's storied near sity year career that started with her breakthrough to fame singing with the Chick Webb ‘Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem through her seminal "Great American ‘Songbook’ albums and Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic concert tours will be ‘cussed. There will be ample time for questions. For further information please contact Brand Library at (818) 548-2051 Brand Library is located in northwestern Glendale at 1601 W. Mountain Street. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 12-8 pm; Wednesday, 12-6 pm; and Friday and Saturday, 10-5 pm. Admission to galleries and reception is free and open to the public. There is ample free parking. Call 818-548-2051 for additional information. end