Gus Bivona

Gus Bivona (November 25, 1915 – January 5, 1996) was an American reed player — covering a range of clarinets, saxophones and flute — at the height of the big band era. Following World War II, he was a staff musician for the MGM Studio Orchestra, playing on countless soundtracks and sessions. He later became a well-known sidekick of pianist, composer, comedian, and television host Steve Allen. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bivona began leading his own band, releasing albums under his own name for labels such as Mercury and Warner Bros.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 25, 1915 (New London), Died January 5, 1996 (Los Angeles)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1939 - 1945

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, clarinet

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D5VB-0758 10-in. 5/14/1945 The minor goes muggin' Duke Ellington ; Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Piano solo, with jazz/dance orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66733 10-in. 10/6/1939 In a Persian market Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66734 10-in. 10/6/1939 Teddy's boogie woogie Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66735 10-in. 10/6/1939 March of the toys Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66736 10-in. 10/6/1939 Jamaica jam-1 Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66867 10-in. 11/13/1939 Pussy in the corner Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66868 10-in. 11/13/1939 Flea on a Spree Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66869 10-in. 11/13/1939 Some day Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 66870 10-in. 11/13/1939 The Sphinx Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67135 10-in. 2/1/1940 The one I love (belongs to somebody else) Pete Skinner ; Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67136 10-in. 2/1/1940 I get the blues when it rains Pete Skinner ; Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67137 10-in. 2/1/1940 Am I blue ? Pete Skinner ; Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67138 10-in. 2/1/1940 Ridin' the subways Pete Skinner ; Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67777 10-in. 5/20/1940 Please take a letter, Miss Brown Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67778 10-in. 5/20/1940 Feather merchant''s ball-1 Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67779 10-in. 5/20/1940 Outside of that, I love you Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 67780 10-in. 5/20/1940 Teddy Bear boogie-2 Teddy Powell Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Bivona, Gus," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107407.

Bivona, Gus. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107407.

"Bivona, Gus." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/107407

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