Johnny Messner Orchestra from Transcription

Associated Program Services Transcription BMI-235 Recorded 1941-1952

It is possible that Johnny Messner composted more of these than the two indicated - the record did not give credits and the credit for the balance of the songs are unknown.

Messner grew up in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey and graduated from Ridgefield Park High School in 1928. He received a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School of Music. During World War II he was drafted into the US Army, where he served as bandleader for ensembles at military training facilities across the United States. After the war ended, he joined Vincent Lopez's orchestra as an assistant bandleader and saxophonist. The youngest of five male musical siblings. Dick Messner,an older brother, was also a musician and bandleader. All five brothers performed together in Johnny's orchestra: Dick (piano), Johnny (violin and clarinet), Charlie (né Charles Messner; 1905–2003) (woodwinds), Bill (né William Messner; 1904–1982) (drums), Fred (né Frederick Messner; born 1902) (violin). The Five Brothers made their radio broadcast debut in 1923 on NBC, then known as WJZ.

The Messner band recorded for Cocalion in 1938, then recorded a substantial number of Bluebirds from August 1938 - August 1939. One Varsity record in 1940, followed by Deccas starting from April, 1941 to the recording ban in July of 1942.

From 1938 to March 1940, his personnel was Johnny Messner-as-v-voc/Charles Cerborra-Shanty Diamant-t/Shorty Skipper-t-v/Huff Allen-tb/Will Cottrell-George Ward-as-ts/Paul Kuhlthan-p/Augne Gonzales-g/Al Dell-sb/Dick Cornell-d/

1. I LIKE IT JEANNE D'ARCY-JOHNNY MESSNER LL-2634-4
2. HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS JEANNE D'ARCY ROEMHELD "
3. ALL I DESIRE JEANNE D'ARCY "
4. SWEET WORLD JEANNE D'ARCY "
5. I HEAR A RHAPSODY JOHNNY MESSNER FRAGOS-BAKER-GASPARRE "
6. STUDY IN EIGHT NOTES INST MESSNER-KUHLTHAN-DIAMANT LL-2635-3
7. CATCHING THE 8:20 LOCAL INST "
8. COME DOWN TO EARTH MY ANGEL JOHNNY MESSNER SOUR-MCCRAY-GOLD "
9. LITTLE SLEEPY HEAD JOHNNY MESSNER "
10. BLUES IN MINOR INST MESSNER-KUHLTHAN-DIAMANT "
    

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