This historic scan and page spotlights the 1939 Metronome All-Stars also known as The All Star Nine.
1939 Metronome All-Stars Scan Original Text:
Eight of METRONOME’S All-Star Nine in the Columbia Record studios waxing “All-Star Strut.” Jess Stacy is not in the picture.
Met Winners Groove King Porter Stomp And All Star Strut To Aid Local 802’s Unemployment Fund
Leading musicians combined with one of the country’s leading recording companies to aid a leading cause in dancebandom last month. On the afternoon of Feb. 7, METRONOME gathered in the studios of the Columbia Recording Corporation such jazz greats as Benny Goodman. Harry James, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Miller and others to wax two stupendous sides, all royalties of which will be turned over to the Unemployment Fund of Local 802.
More On This 1939 Metronome All-Stars Scan
This original, archival scan comes from the March 1940 issue of “The Metronome” magazine. It captures a legendary moment on February 7, 1940, at Columbia Recording Studios, where the 1939 Metronome Reader’s Poll winners gathered to record the classics “All Star Strut” and “King Porter Stomp.”
The original caption notes eight of the All Star Nine are pictured here:
Benny Goodman
Harry James
Jack Teagarden
Benny Carter
Eddie Miller
Charlie Christian
Gene Krupa
Bob Haggart
This session marked the first Metronome appearance for the legendary Charlie Christian, who had just taken the 1939 guitar crown. While piano great Jess Stacy isn’t in this specific frame, his playing on the record is unmistakable. Another “Who’s Who” of the Swing Era fascinating article from the pages of Metronome.
Historical Context
The 1939 Metronome All-Stars session is a landmark in jazz history, not just for the music, but for the cause. By donating royalties to the Local 802 Unemployment Fund, these icons showed the true community spirit of the era. This date is also cherished by historians for capturing the pioneering electric guitar work of Charlie Christian during his meteoric rise with Benny Goodman.
You can hear these legendary jazz musicians on our live radio stream and explore more in our Swing Era Magazine Scan Archive.