Grammy nominated for best sound by a big band. The ultimate in swing music it has the elgart touch, a unique and immediately recognizable sound.

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LARRY ELGART
Larry Elgart has revitalized swing music throughout the â90s and into the new millennium. His
âHooked on Swingâ album of standard swing tunes with a contemporary dance beat has sold 5
million copies worldwide to date, making it the largest selling swing or big band record in history.
Elgartâs diverse musical talent emerged at an early age. By the time he was 17, he was on the road
playing in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Woody Hermanâs first herd, Bobby Bryne, Jack Benny, Joe
Marsala, Charlie Spicak and Red Norvo. In 1952, Larry and his brother formed their own orchestra
and with their first Columbia recording, âSophisticated Swing,â they were an overnight sensation. The
band began touring universities and ballrooms and soon became known as Americaâs #1 College
Prom Favorite.
The unique style of the band was then, as it is today, built around Larryâs graceful sound and stylistic
phrasing, known as the Elgart touch. He shapes the contours of an arrangement to fit his alto sax,
making it his own distinctive interpretation. There is no mistaking Larryâs musical stamp on whatever
the orchestra plays. Further addition to the orchestraâs identity is the pianoless rhythm section, the
non-muted rich brass, emphasized by the bass trombone and the use of a percussionist augmenting
the drums.
The Elgart Touch has distinguished itself throughout the years. An album by that name was one of
the five best selling albums in the first ten years of the long playing record. In 1959, âNew Sounds at
the Rooseveltâ won the coveted Grammy in the first year of the Naras Awards. This album has been
reissued in 1995 under the title âLet My People Swingâ.
The phenomenal success of the Hooked on Swing series (3 volumes) not only enables Larry to
continue to satisfy his dancing fans, but he now delights listening audiences at the major concert
halls in the United States and Canada with his Hooked On Swing show. As 1990 approached, Larry
Elgart expanded his horizons to Australia. The Australians warmly welcomed him in concerts at the
Victoria Arts Centre in Melbourne and the magnificent Sydney Opera House. In 1992, Larry was
invited back to Melbourne as the only American artist to perform for the Prime Ministerâs Olympic Ball
which raised over one million dollars to send the Australian athletes to the Barcelona Olympic Games.
In 1995, the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, California ended its 20-year reign as a jewel in the
crown of American cultural centers. It was an honor and a privilege for Larry Elgart and his orchestra
to be chosen to perform this historical final concert. In 1998, Larry released his 55th album, his first
live concert album entitled âLive from the Ambassadorâ. His most recent album has a distinct Latin
flavor that has become so popular. Larry is so âsmoothâ with the album âLatin Obsessionâ.
As Larry explains his lifelong passion, âIâve always been hooked on swing. It is a valid musical form
and, as such, enduresâ¦always taking on new shapes and colors, whereby new generations can relate
to it. It is the kind of music people react to â actively and positively. It is a happy form of music. The
music of the Swing Era was fun then, and still is now!â