The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra was one of the great “show bands” of the swing era. One of their signature pieces, Organ Grinder’s Swing, was recorded on August 31, 1936, 90 years ago today.

Although born in Mississippi in 1902, young Jimmie grew up in Denver, Colorado where his high school band director was Paul Whiteman’s father. After high school Lunceford continued his education at Fisk University. At the age of 25 he was teaching at Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee when he started a student band called “The Chickasaw Syncopators.” Lunceford was the first public high school band director in the city. A couple of years later in 1929 the band changed its name and made its professional debut as “The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra” and made their first record a year after that.

While many prominent bands of the era like those led by Duke Ellington and Count Basie focused on their great soloists, the Lunceford group was known for its ensemble playing which showcased great musicianship and precision. However, those attributes were sometimes lost on audiences because Lunceford’s band often employed what some have called vaudevillian aspects to their performances. These included costumes, dancing, skits and parodies of other bands. But, when listening to their recordings of great Sy Oliver compositions and arrangements, one is struck by the fine music the orchestra produced.

Organ Grinder’s Swing was written by Will Hudson and published in 1936. It is based on the nursey rhyme “I Like Coffee, I like Tea.” While Lunceford’s recording was most likely the first time the song was put to vinyl, Organ Grinder’s Swing was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald just three months later. Other records of the song were made by Benny Goodman, The Mills Brothers, Django Reinhardt and Milt Jackson. Organist Jimmy Smith made a very successful recording of the tune in the 1960s.
​
Here is a link to the 1936 Jimmie Lunceford recording of Organ Grinder’s Swing:

"ORGAN GRINDER'S SWING"