(Jimmy Lunceford, famous orchestra leader, is guest columnist today. His comments on "The Dance Band" appear below.--Ed. Note)

To the average person "BAND" simply means a group of musicians who play together, but to one who has a keen sense of appreciation for music, the dance band has a distinct unity all its own.

A competent leader must carefully choose musicians for his band. Every contractor has his own idea about the type men he wants, and naturally picks them to especially fit his particular style. In so doing, he must not destroy the means of identifying his music. It isn't always easy, by the way, to find such men on short notice. Musicians, like bands, have their own style, and this is important in making up the personnel of the band. Sometimes one who plays well, doesn't fit in another capacity and vice versa; thus, all details must be carefully scrutinized.

One of the most interesting things about bands, is that oft times they play the same tunes, but there is a distinct difference in presentation. In other words, arrangements are different. This has plenty to do with one's style. Even if two bands played the same arrangement, there would be a noticeable difference in execution and interpretation. Thus, a certain band becames prominent because its peculiar style appeals to the public. In every band there is something about the arrangements, that should more or less attract attention, either because they are unusually different or decidedly unique in some particular detail. Good arrangements are those which show the musicianship off to good advantage and at the same time have "IT".

It is quite important that the arranger be thoroughly familiar with individual talent in the band in order to obtain aforementioned results. For example an arrangement for Cab Calloway might be of little value to Lombardo and vice versa.

Joe Public is always an interesting study. This is especially true where bands are concerned. Of the numerous name bands which are in demand, all are big favorites in certain sections of the country. Yet, they all vary in style and size. Some have novelty features that catch on, and others have music "fascinate," still others have simplicity that sells, and there are those whose showmanship is "the magnetic power;" nevertheless they are all box office attractions. Sometimes we wonder if really preparing music in the pure sense is worth the trouble because in many places our audiences seem to turn a deaf ear to music and only see what happens in front of or around the music. On the other hand if one should remove either from the combination, it's doubtful if the other would survive. I would say it's a problem which like the human equation, must be put in the catagory of abstractions. Basically, music is what bands offer and the peculiar twist which in recent years is evidenced, naturally, is a result of encouragement from the public through the medium of the box office.

In conclusion, the dance band is today a big business enterprise. Fashions in music, like fashions in clothes change year after year. So the music makers must keep abreast of the times. Years ago we called dance music rag time. A few years later, we called it Jazz. Today it is known as swing, and tomorrow, who knows?

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Notice that Jimmy says that arrangements and showmanship plus musicianship are necessary if a band is to have real popular appeal. From hearing the band three different times this week at the Southland. I think that it ranks with Jimmy Dorsey as being the best all around band in the country. And at a great many things, it shades Dorsey. I can remember very few times when I got as big a kick from just the way a band played its music as I did from such things as Lunceford's rendition of the Beethovan Sonata Pathetique. The band puts on a terrific show, plays an easy bounce style of dance music, and has excellent soloists. Jimmy Young (trombone) ranks in the top three. Paul Webster (trumpet) is recognized as the highest in the business. Willie Smith and Joe Thomas can play sax for anybody's all star swing band--in short, this is a band of a kind that you very rarely hear, and it's fronted by a man with enough personality, brains, and musical ability to bring his outfit up from small one-nighters to one of the few steady big time outfits.--M. L.