GENE GIFFORD

Although virtually unknown to the general public during the swing era, Gene Gifford was a highly influential arranger whose work for the Casa Loma Orchestra predated the rise of Benny Goodman. Gifford grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and he both arranged and played banjo with his high school band. Gifford performed with such territory bands as Bob Foster, Lloyd Williams, and Watson's Bell Hops. He toured Texas with his own band and then worked with Blue Steele (switching to guitar) and Henry Cato's Vanities Orchestra (1928). Gifford gained some attention for his arrangements for Jean Goldkette, and in 1929 he became a member of the Orange Blossoms, which soon became the Casa Loma Orchestra. He was the big band's chief arranger (playing guitar and banjo until he gave up active playing in late 1933). Skilled at writing exciting ensemble charts and yet able to write dreamy ballads too, Gifford's arrangements read more...