Original air date - Phantom Dancer :: 12:00pm 2nd Jan 2024

George Olsen, was a U.S musician and bandleader. He was most popular in the years 1924-35, beginning with his recording of 'The Hottest Man in Town' becoming a hit. He's your Phantom Dancer feature artist this week. The Phantom Dancer is your weekly non-stop mix of swing and jazz from live 1920s-60s radio and TV every week. LISTEN to this week's Phantom Dancer mix (online after 2pm AEST, Tuesday 2 January) and weeks of Phantom Dancer mixes online at, at https://2ser.com/phantom-dancer/ [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLIMQ0SYVtg[/embed]

GEORGE

The George Olsen Orchestra first played at the Multnomah Hotel, Portland. He then headed to Broadway, as musical director for the shows Kid Boots (1923), the Ziegfeld Follies of 1924, Ziegfeld Follies of 1925, and Good News (1927). George Olsen and his orchestra were in Eddie Cantor's 1928 Broadway hit Whoopee!, and in the 1930 movie version. In the Follies George met his first wife, singer, Ethel Shutta, pronounced Shoot-tay. Olsen and Shutta were heard on the Oldsmobile Program on CBS radio in 1933. Olsen was also orchestra leader for the first season of The Jack Benny Program in 1932. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_H6pzPyV8[/embed]

OLSEN

Olsen signed with Victor in 1924 and remained as one of Victor's most popular bands until 1933 when he signed with Columbia. He stayed with Columbia till January, 1934. He recorded a single session in 1938 for Decca, and one final date for the Varsity label in 1940. Singer-saxophonist Fred MacMurray was in the Olsen Orchestra in 1930 on his way to eventual movie stardom, recording a vocal on I'm in the Market for You. Olsen's long-time alto saxist and singer, Fran Frey, with his distinctive, reedy bass-baritone, was perhaps the best known Olsenite until he left in 1933 for a career as a music director in radio. In 1936, Olsen became leader of Orville Knapp's band after Knapp died in a plane crash. Olsen was chosen to lead the band by Knapp's widow. He called it 'The Orchestra of Tomorrow'. Morale problems plagued the group. In 1938, after many musicians had already left, the group disbanded. In the 1960s Olsen ran a popular local restaurant in Paramus NJ  called "George Olsen's". A reviewer wrote, "Olsen is there every day greeting guests at lunch and dinner... In the background, the original George Olsen records of the Twenties play softly." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9WVQ4yxl_w[/embed] 2 January PLAY LIST