Phantom Dancer :: 12:00pm 7th Dec 2021
Little Jack Little is this week’s Phantom Dancer feature artist. Born John Leonard in London, he was a British-born American composer, singer, pianist, actor and songwriter.
His compositions include “Jealous”, “I Promise You”, “A Shanty in Old Shanty Town” and “You’re a Heavenly Thing”.
LISTEN to this Phantom Dancer mix (online after 2pm AEST, Tuesday 7 December) and two years of Phantom Dancer mixes online at, at https://2ser.com/phantom-dancer/
I’m Greg Poppleton, The Phantom Dancer producer and presenter every week on 107.3 2SER radio Sydney since 1985.
LITTLE
Little Jack Little, his stage name derived from his birth name and height, started as a piano player and singer in vaudeville in 1917 aged 17 or 18.
In an article in the New York Times it was explained that, “he would introduce his songs in a soft, almost whispering voice, while executing a series of little arpeggios and other piano embellishments. His radio approach was reminiscent of the arrival of a cheerful songbird.”
JACK
In 1930, Little Jack Little recorded a series of piano/vocal radio transcriptions titled, “Yors Very Truly, Little Jack Little” which evoked the atmosphere of a genial host at home trying out the latest sheet music on the piano.
He continued with this style on radio throughout his career which spanned WW2 (when he also toured USO shows with Jack Bolger) and into the 1950s on TV.
Here’s a list of his 1930s transcriptions, one of which you can enjoy on this week’s Phantom Dancer:
42300 A “ST. LOUIS BLUES” 10-06-30 :12:25
42300 B “LET THEM BE THEIR OWN JUDGES” 10-09-30 :13:35
42300 C “DIZZY FINGERS” 10-11-30 :13:14
42300 D “LOVE YOUR MAGIC SPELL IS 10-13-30 :13:14
EVERYWHERE”
42300 E “INDIAN LOVE CALL” 10-16-30 :13:27
42301 A “THE VOICE OF THE PUBLIC” 10-18-30 :13:21
42301 B “WHEN THE LITTLE RED ROSES GET 10-20-30 :13:16
THE BLUES FOR YOU”
42301 C “TELLING IT TO THE DAISIES” 10-23-30 :13:15
42301 D “LITTLE GYPSY SWEETHEART” 10-25-30 :13:20
53144 A “SWEEPING THE CLOUDS AWAY” 11-03-30 :13:02
53144 B “LUCKY LITTLE DEVIL” 11-06-30 :13:27
53144 C “I’M SAILING ON A SUMBEAM” 11-08-30 :13:15
53144 D “THE MAN FROM THE SOUTH” 11-10-30 :13:27
In 1933 he started his own orchestra (which you can see in the soundie above), playing hotels in New York City, Atlantic City, Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago
His wife died in 1948, by the mid-50s he was being treated for hepatitis and was depressed.
In 1956, Little was found dead in bed by a maid. An autopsy revealed that traces of chloral hydrate or barbiturates in his stomach.
He left farewell notes to various people, including, “I know I’m dying and I’m afraid of the suffering I’ll have to go through,” and “All My Friends, Thanks for all the wonderful friendships and good times together. A little advice-take it easy, you’ll last longer. Always, Jack.”
7 DECEMBER PLAY LIST
Play List – The Phantom Dancer
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107.3 2SER Tuesday7 DECEMBER 2021 |
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Set 1
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Horace Heidt | |
Open + Margie
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Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights
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‘One Night Stand’
Trianon Ballroom Southgate Ca. AFRS Re-broadcast 23 Jan 1945 |
Star Dust
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Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights (voc) Gene Walsh
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‘One Night Stand’
Trianon Ballroom Southgate Ca. AFRS Re-broadcast 23 Jan 1945 |
One of These Days
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Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights
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‘One Night Stand’
Trianon Ballroom Southgate Ca. AFRS Re-broadcast 23 Jan 1945 |
Brazil + Begin the Beguine
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Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights
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‘One Night Stand’
Trianon Ballroom Southgate Ca. AFRS Re-broadcast 23 Jan 1945 |
Set 2
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Bell Sisters | |
Theme + Do It Again
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The Bell Sisters
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‘Stand By For Music’ Radio Transcription 12 Jan 1955 |
A Fool Such As I
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The Bell Sisters
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‘Stand By For Music’
Radio Transcription 12 Jan 1955 |
Glowworm
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Frank deVol Orchestra
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‘Stand By For Music’
Radio Transcription 12 Jan 1955 |
Take Back Your Gold + Close
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The Bell Sisters
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‘Stand By For Music’
Radio Transcription 12 Jan 1955 |
Set 3
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JImmy Dorsey Trad Band | |
Open + Georgia On My Mind
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Jimmy Dorsey Dorseyland Jazz Band
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‘Marine Corp Show’
Radio Transcription 1950 |
Instrumental
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Jimmy Dorsey Dorseyland Jazz Band
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‘Marine Corp Show’
Radio Transcription 1950 |
It’s a Long Way to Tipperary
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Jimmy Dorsey Dorseyland Jazz Band |
‘Marine Corp Show’
Radio Transcription 1950 |
Deep in the Heart of Texas + Close
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Jimmy Dorsey Dorseyland Jazz Band |
‘Marine Corp Show’
Radio Transcription 1950 |
Set 4
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Little Jack Little | |
I’m Sailing on a Sunbeam
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Little Jack Little
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‘Yours Very Truly, Little Jack Little’
Radio Transcription’ New York City 11 Aug 1930 |
Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love
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Little Jack Little
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‘Yours Very Truly, Little Jack Little’
Radio Transcription’ New York City 11 Aug 1930 |
My Wild Irish Rose + I Don’t Need Atmosphere To Fall In Love With You + Close
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Little Jack Little
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‘Yours Very Truly, Little Jack Little’
Radio Transcription’ New York City 11 Aug 1930 |
Set 5
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Fats Waller | |
Frenesi
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Fats Waller
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Panther Room
Hotel Sherman WMAQ NBC Chicago 3 Dec 1940 |
You’re The One
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Fats Waller (voc) Kay Perry
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Panther Room
Hotel Sherman WMAQ NBC Chicago 3 Dec 1940 |
Flat Foot Floogie
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Fats Waller
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Aircheck Yacht Club NYC 14 Oct 1938 |
After You’ve Gone
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Fats Waller
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Aircheck
Yacht Club NYC 14 Oct 1938 |
Set 6
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Eddie Condon | |
Rosetta
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Eddie Condon
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‘Eddie Condon Town Hall Jazz Concert’
WJZ Blue NYC 16 Sep 1944 |
Memphis Blues
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Eddie Condon
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‘Eddie Condon Town Hall Jazz Concert’
WJZ Blue NYC 16 Sep 1944 |
There’ll Be Some Changes Made
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Eddie Condon (voc) Red McKenzie
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‘Eddie Condon Town Hall Jazz Concert’
WJZ Blue NYC 16 Sep 1944 |
I Would Do Anything For You
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Eddie Condon
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‘Eddie Condon Town Hall Jazz Concert’
WJZ Blue NYC 16 Sep 1944 |
Set 7
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Miles | |
Open + Sid’s Ahead
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Miles Davis
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The Spotlight
Washington DC Mutual Feb 1959 |
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Set 8
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1940s Swing Radio | |
I’m Always Chasing Rainbows
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Benny Goodman Orchestra
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‘Jubilee’
AFRS Hollywood Jan 1946 |
Swanee
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Lionel Hampton Orchestra |
‘Jubilee’
AFRS Hollywood 3 Dec 1945 |
Hitsum Kitsum | Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra (voc) Quartet |
‘Spotlight Bands’
Mitchell Field Long Is NY Blue Network 15 Jan 1945 |
Even Stevens
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Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra
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‘Spotlight Bands’
Mitchell Field Long Is NY Blue Network 15 Jan 1945 |