Born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, he studied composition at the University of Chicago under teachers with formidable names like Sigvart Holland and Emil Soderstrom. He became an arranger for various big bands, even working with comedian Bob Hope's touring show. In 1940, he was hired as an arranger for Xavier Cugat's orchestra, a post he would hold off and on for the next 20 years.
Don Swan's toe-tickling products for the Cugat Orchestra of the pre-war years were largely responsible for the group's success in making the United States "Latin conscious" during that period. Don's arrangement of "Tico-Tico" for Xavier Cugat gave Cugat one of his all-time best record sellers. Swan's resulting experience and familiarity with Latin music helped put his services in great demand -- not only as an arranger, but also as a composer, for both white big bands (Skinnay Ennis, Freddy Martin) and Latin dance orchestras (Perez Prado, Desi Arnaz).
Here's "Ain't She Sweet" from above LP
He also wrote a number of instructional books, including Cha Cha for the Hammond and Tango for the Spinet, before retiring in the mid-1960s.He eventually moved to Miami,Florida, where he died on July 23, 1998, at the ripe old age of 94.
(Scarce information edited from AllMusic SpaceAgePoP & 317x.com) (There are very few photos of Don on the web. They were all supposed to be Don Swan, but I have my doubts. Hopefully some of you eagle eyed music lovers will let me know if the first portrait is wrong.)
2 comments:
I found a digital download Of Don Swans Latino Vol 1under the title of Latin Rhythms To Dance. As it had only 12 tracks I’ve added the album Hot Cha Cha (1959) and a few more tracks, for as my mum used to say “waste not want not!”
So for “Don Swan & His Orchestra - Latin Rhythms to Dance” go here:
https://www.upload.ee/files/13270641/Don_Swan___Latin_Rhythms.rar.html
1. El Cumbanchero (Guaracha) 1:59
2. Chatita (Cha Cha Cha) 2:52
3. La Paloma (Tango) 2:05
4. Miami Beach Rhumba 2:15
5. Once Ochenta Y Uno (Pasodoble) 1:41
6. Razz-Berry Mambo 2:11
7. Linda Mujer (Rumba) 1:52
8. Betita (Cha Cha Cha) 3:16
9. Hokey Joe (Rumba) 2:13
10. Gracias (Cha Cha Cha) 2:17
11. A San Antonio Me Voy (Mambo) 1:59
12. Cha Cha in Alaska (Cha Cha Cha) 2:35
13. Ain’t She Sweet (02:37)
14. Third Man Theme (02:50)
15. I Found A Million Dollar Baby (02:49)
16. Ain’t We Got Fun (02:34)
17. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (02:57)
18. If I Could Dream (02:15)
19. Minka (03:06)
20. Dream A Little Dream (02:38)
21. Butterfly (02:31)
22. This Time (02:25)
23. Where’s The Melody (02:52)
24. Laura (03:04)
25. Tico Tico
26. Hooray For Hollywood (Cha Cha)
Hi!
Thanx for this collection. A "new" artist = "new" hears here. LUV the Latino-Exotica sound. No pictures of Don but some LP cover pictures @ Discogs:
https://www.discogs.com/artist/302638-Don-Swan-And-His-Orchestra
Cheers!
Ciao! For now.
rntcj
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