Russ Morgan (1904-1969) was an American bandleader and arranger during the 30s and 40s. In 1921, he played trombone with a local band, the Scranton Sirens, which became popular in Pennsylvania during the 20s. In 1922, Morgan decided to go to New York. Three years later, at the age of twenty-one, he did arrangements for both John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert. He then joined Paul Specht's orchestra and toured throughout Europe with the orchestra.On his return from Europe, Jean Goldkette invited Morgan to Detroit to organize, lead and arrange for his new band. Morgan's first records were made for OKeh in mid-1930 exclusively for their short lived Parlophone and Odeon series, usually under the name "Russell Brown and his Orchestra". During the early 30s, Morgan joined the group of anonymous studio groups recording pop tunes for the dime store labels. For a short time in 1934, Morgan arranged for Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. In 1935, he played trombone with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band when they recorded four sides for Vocalion. On September 12, 1935, Morgan, playing piano and Joe Venuti on violin cut 2 sides for Brunswick. Morgan's biggest success came when he was offered the position of Musical Director for Detroit Radio Station WXYZ. His show, "Music in the Morgan Manner", became one of the most popular radio shows. At one time during his radio run, he was directing 9 commercial programs. While in Detroit, he did arranging for the Detroit 102 piece Symphony Orchestra demonstrating his varied musical experience and ability. In the early 30s, Morgan was in an automobile accident that almost ended his career. After several months in the hospital he started again in New York City as arranger for bands like the George White Scandals, The Cotton Club Revue and the Capitol Theatre. When not arranging for the Broadway shows, Morgan worked with leading orchestras in New York, such as Phil Spitalny, Eddie Gilligan, Ted Fio Rito and Freddy Martin, as pianist and/or trombonist. He joined the Freddy Martin Orchestra in 1934 as a piano player, but worked chiefly as trombonist and arranger with the band. Morgan had his own program, the Russ Morgan Show, on Mutual beginning in September 1949. He had record-breaking runs in famed hotels, ballrooms and theatres across the country. A few of these engagements were at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, California; Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago; Aragon and Trianon, Chicago; Strand, Chicago; the Statler Hotel, New York; Orpheum, Los Angeles. During the 1950s, his orchestra continued to be a popular one for dancing and listening music. He continued to set house records with his appearances in California and New York as well as his many tours across the entire nation. In 1969, Morgan died at the age of sixty-five in Las Vegas. Morgan’s son, Jack, took over the leadership and has led the band ever since. This lovely side, featuring Smith Ballew on vocal, was cut in 1935.
