To wartime America, music provided both entertainment and uplift buoying the spirits of those at home and overseas, perfectly expressing the American spirit of affirmation in the face of adversity. There were rationing and general shortages, but dance halls flourished, fueled by the great bands of the era. Despite constant depletion of their musicians by the draft, bandleaders found able replacements from the small towns amd big cities of America. On this CD you ll hear the talent and the tunes distilled through the swing of the big bands that kept the Allies dancing & singing during the darkest days of World War II, tunes that reminded soldiers of home and what they were fighting for. Featuring; Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins. Al Dexter, Charlie Barnet, Ersking Hawkins, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey & Jimmie Lunceford