Billy May is best known as a stellar big band arranger who worked with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Bing Crosby, and Peggy Lee among others. He also had a solo career as a band leader playing swingin’ instrumental space age pop in the 1950’s and ’60’s. Here’s a May album cover sampler:
Btw, that album predated the parade in New Orleans by some 14 years. May day will continue after the break.
Finally, one of the silliest album titles ever:
None of these LPs is available in its entirety online so I’m posting two tracks from Cha Cha and two from Bacchanalia.
Now that I have you revved up, it’s time for some Bacchanalian revelry, Billy May style:
