Hal McIntyre was a saxophonist and bandleader, who was a founder member of the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, but launched his own orchestra in 1941 and had a string of hits throughout the 1940s until the big band era suffered a decline.

Miller encouraged McIntyre to start his own group again, and the McIntyre Orchestra first played in New York. The ensemble included vocalists Gloria Van, Ruth Gaylor, and Al Nobel, bassist Eddie Safranski, and saxophonist Allen Eager. They played many major ballrooms throughout the US, and played overseas for troops during World War Two. He combined swinging instrumental jazz with middle-of-the road ballads and novelty material. The orchestra continued into the 1950s and toured extensively with songstress Sunny Gale until the summer of ’51.

This 47-track set comprises selected A- and B-sides from his releases on the Victor, Bluebird, Cosmo and MGM labels during these years. It features all his career chart successes, including the Top 10 hits Sentimental Journey, I’ll Buy That Dream and The Gypsy and the Top 20s I’m Making Believe, Cement Mixer (Put-Ti-Put-Ti) and There’s No-One But You.

McIntyre himself is featured on some notable instrumentals which firmly underline both his and his orchestra’s jazz credentials. Overshadowed as he was by the big names of the swing era in whose footsteps he trod, he is perhaps less well-known than he might have been, but he made an entertaining contribution to the pop scene of the 1940s and this is an enjoyable showcase for his music.

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