Sy Oliver
Sy Oliver's melodic yet sophisticated arrangements helped define the Jimmy Lunceford sound in the 1930s and modernized Tommy Dorsey's band in the '40s. A fine trumpeter (excellent with a mute) and a likable vocalist, Oliver made his recording debut with Zack Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels in the late '20s and also worked with Alphonse Trent. Joining Lunceford in 1933, Oliver was responsible for such memorable charts as "My Blue Heaven," "Ain't She Sweet," "Organ Grinder's Swing," and "'Tain't What You Do," among many others. It was a major blow to Lunceford when Oliver jumped at the chance to make a lot more money arranging and occasionally singing for Tommy Dorsey. The hiring of Sy Oliver was a major help for T.D. in getting Buddy Rich to join his band. Oliver's arrangement of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" was his biggest hit for Dorsey. After a brief attempt at leading his own orchestra in 1946, Oliver became a freelance arranger and producer for the remainder of his long career. As late as 1975-1980, he was regularly leading a band but Sy Oliver will always be best known for his classic Lunceford charts.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Discography
19 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Yes Indeed (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions)
Jazz - Released by Disques Black & Blue on 1 Jul 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jimmy Lunceford in Hi-Fi
Jazz - Released by Ascension Records on 8 Jul 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Original Arrangements of Jimmy Lunceford in Hi-Fi (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Plenty Jazz Records on 15 Mar 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1945 - 1949
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 8 Jun 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1949 - 1952
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 8 Jun 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
What Private Eyes - Frankie Ortega & Sy Oliver
Jazz - Released by Don't stop the music on 18 May 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)
Frank Barry, The Four Bells, Sy Oliver
Pop - Released by AMB on 1 May 1954
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When the White Lilacs Bloom Again
Pop - Released by AMB on 1 Jun 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sentimental Sy
Vocal Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 1 Jan 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Shake Rattle and Roll
Jim Brown, The Four Bells, Sy Oliver
Pop - Released by AMB on 1 May 1954
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Dance Orchestras Nº42 - EPs Collectors "Mack The Knife"
Jazz - Released by Vintage Music on 23 Oct 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo