Les Elgart

Some well known songs / tunes with a Twist !!

Lester Elliott Elgart (August 3, 1917 – July 29, 1995, Dallas, Texas) was an American swing jazz bandleader and trumpeter.

American swing band leader, formerly lead trumpet player for the orchestras of Bunny Berigan, Charlie Spivak and Hal McIntyre. In 1945, Les formed his own organisation in Brooklyn, New York, in tandem with his alto saxophonist-playing brother Larry Elgart. The band, its theme song being "Sophisticated Swing", featured superior arrangements by Bill Finegan and a young Nelson Riddle. It enjoyed a measure of popular success -- until the Musician's Union recording strike and personal rivalry between the brothers caused a break-up. Les and Larry went their separate ways, but neither managed to succeed on their own. They re-formed in 1953, with breezy new arrangements by Charles Albertine and an emphasis on ensemble sound, rather than solos. This melodic approach proved popular and album sales (recording contract with Columbia) boomed. The Les Elgart Orchestra performed at many top venues.

1. Hawaiian War Chant

2. Boogie Woogie

3. You Came A Long Way From St Louis

4. Frenesi

5. The Roof

6. Bandstand

1. Turkey in The Straw

2. St Louis blues

3. Was That The Human Thing To Do

4. One mint Julip

5. Sabre Twist

6. In The Mood

          1. Hawaiian War Chant