Joe Bushkin

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Joe Bushkin was involved with jazz at a very critical time in music history. Born in 1916, Joe was playing in dance bands while many of the originators of jazz and swing were still performing. As a pianist, Joe helped bridge the eras while adding his own unique style and feel for the music. Benny Goodman hired Joe in 1935 to perform with his orchestra and a series of name brand gigs followed including recordings and live performances with Eddie Condon, Bunny Berigan, Muggsy Spanier, and Louis Armstrong after World War II. Joe also wrote what became Frank Sinatra's first hit record, "Oh! Look at Me Now."

Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives.