Celluloid Improvisations logo Jazz on Film Mark Cantor

This routine by the Milt Britton and his Orchestra is musical mayhem at its best. It was the band’s closing number on stage for more than a decade before this Soundie was made in December 1944. The band is unfortunately only partially identified. Among the possibilities: Nate Wexler on trombone “down front” – or, alternately, Walter “Mousie” Powell; possibly Aaron Sachs, tenor sax to the far right; Joe Britton and/or Buddy Raymond, instruments and placement on screen unknowns. And so it goes.

Save for two musicians who would soon be important in modern jazz. Norman (Normie) Faye, trumpet to the far left, would be an important part of the Chubby Jackson big band. And the drummer is none other than Tiny Kahn, a revered percussionist who is seen here in his only screen appearance.