TJL Productions announced today that "Big Band Vocalists," the latest installment of the popular "My Music" series, will premiere on PBS stations nationwide March 3, 2012. Hosted by Nick Clooney (whose sister, Rosemary Clooney, is among those featured on the show) and Peter Marshall, "Big Band Vocalists" showcases the timeless "crooners and canaries" of the 1940s when they started their careers performing with orchestras and dance bands, before they became stars on their own.
Featuring rare archival film footage not seen in years, this nostalgic look back offers romantic favorites from an all-star roster of legendary artists including the Andrews Sisters, Louis Armstrong, Perry Como, Doris Day, Helen Forrest, Dick Haymes, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Kate Smith, Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers and many more. Among the classic World War II era bands backing up these iconic voices are groups led by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James and Stan Kenton.
"This music has never gone away and these singers are the reason why," says co-host Nick Clooney. "They are the finest popular vocalists we've ever known."
Highlights include Doris Day singing "It's Magic" in her film debut, "Romance on the High Seas," which received an Oscar nomination for best original song; the earliest known footage of Peggy Lee with a big band, singing "Why Don't You Do Right"; and a rousing rendition of "God Bless America" delivered by Kate Smith.
As a companion to the television special, "My Music" executive producer TJ Lubinsky has also compiled a new CD collection of big band favorites exclusively for PBS. The 5-CD set, available exclusively at PBS.org, offers three volumes of the most popular singers from the era -- original classics mastered from first generation tapes -- plus two discs featuring new stereo orchestra recordings of timeless big band hits.
"Big Band Vocalists: My Music" premieres March 3, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS nationwide and airs throughout the March pledge period. Check local listings for stations and times.
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