Bunny Berigan

Roland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan (November 2, 1908 – June 2, 1942) was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader who rose to fame during the swing era. His career and influence were shortened by alcoholism, and ended with his early demise at the age of 33 from cirrhosis. Although he composed some jazz instrumentals such as "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues", Berigan was best known for his virtuoso jazz trumpeting. His 1937 classic recording "I Can't Get Started" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1975.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 2, 1908 (Hilbert), Died June 2, 1942 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1931 - 1939

Roles Represented in DAHR: director, vocalist, arranger, speaker

= 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
Victor	MS-102942	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	Take my word	Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra ; Peggy Lawson	Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist	director
Victor	MS-102943	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	But definitely	Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra ; Peggy Lawson	Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist	director
Victor	MS-102944	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	On your toes	Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra	Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists	director
Victor	MS-102945	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	I can pull a rabbit out of a hat	Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra	Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists	director
Victor	MS-102946	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	You're not the kind	Bunny Berigan Studio Orchestra	Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists	director
Victor	BS-06590	10-in.	4/1/1937	You can't run away from love tonight	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Carol Mackay	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-06591	10-in.	4/1/1937	'Cause my baby says it's so	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director, vocalist
Victor	BS-06592	10-in.	4/1/1937	Carelessly	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-06593	10-in.	4/1/1937	All dark people are light on their feet	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ford Leary	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010163	10-in.	5/13/1937	The first time I saw you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ford Leary	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010164	10-in.	5/13/1937	Love is a merry go round	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010165	10-in.	5/13/1937	The image of you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010166	10-in.	5/13/1937	I'm happy, darling, dancing with you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Sue Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010167	10-in.	5/13/1937	Swanee River	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director, arranger
Victor	BS-010597	10-in.	6/18/1937	All God's chillun got rhythm	Ruth Bradley ; Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010598	10-in.	6/18/1937	The lady from Fifth Avenue	Ruth Bradley ; Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-010599	10-in.	6/18/1937	Let's have another cigarette	Ruth Bradley ; Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-011119	10-in.	6/25/1937	Roses in December	Ruth Bradley ; Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-011120	10-in.	6/25/1937	Mother Goose	Ruth Bradley ; Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-011121	10-in.	6/25/1937	Frankie and Johnnie	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-011122	10-in.	6/25/1937	Mahogany Hall stomp	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-011673	10-in.	8/7/1937	Let 'er go	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-011674	10-in.	8/7/1937	Turn on that red hot heat (Burn your blues away)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	CS-011675	12-in.	8/7/1937	I can't get started	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, director
Victor	CS-011676	12-in.	8/7/1937	The prisoner's song	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	CS-011701	12-in.	8/21/1937	Record of welcome to Harry [Henry] Hall of England—6 bands of talks by dance band leaders	Rudy Vallée	Re-recording: Talk	speaker
Victor	BS-013201	10-in.	8/18/1937	Why talk about love?	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-013202	10-in.	8/18/1937	Caravan	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-013203	10-in.	8/18/1937	A study in brown	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-013329	10-in.	9/3/1937	Sweet Varsity Sue	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-013330	10-in.	9/3/1937	Gee, but it's great to meet a friend (From your home town)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and vocal ensemble	director
Victor	BS-013331	10-in.	9/3/1937	Ebb tide	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-013332	10-in.	9/3/1937	Have you ever been in heaven?	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-013333	10-in.	9/3/1937	Mama, I wanna make rhythm	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, director
Victor	BS-014652	10-in.	10/7/1937	I'd love to play a love scene (Opposite you)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-014653	10-in.	10/7/1937	I want a new romance	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-014654	10-in.	10/7/1937	Miles apart	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-014655	10-in.	10/7/1937	A strange loneliness	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-014690	10-in.	10/15/1937	Sweet varsity Sue	Jerry Blaine ; Johnny McKeever ; Stream Line Rhythm	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-017765	10-in.	12/23/1937	In a little Spanish town ('Twas on a night like this)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-017766	10-in.	12/23/1937	Black bottom	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-017767	10-in.	12/23/1937	Trees	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-017768	10-in.	12/23/1937	Russian lullaby	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-017769	10-in.	12/23/1937	Can't help lovin' dat man	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-018413	10-in.	1/26/1938	Piano tuner man	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-018414	10-in.	1/26/1938	Heigh-ho	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-018415	10-in.	1/26/1938	A serenade to the stars	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-018416	10-in.	1/26/1938	Outside of paradise	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021168	10-in.	3/15/1938	Down stream	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021169	10-in.	3/15/1938	Sophisticated swing	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021170	10-in.	3/15/1938	Lovelight in the starlight	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021174	10-in.	3/16/1938	Rinka tinka man	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021175	10-in.	3/16/1938	An old straw hat	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-021176	10-in.	3/16/1938	I dance alone	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Gail Reese	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-022482	10-in.	4/21/1938	Never felt better, never had less	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-022483	10-in.	4/21/1938	I got a guy	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-022484	10-in.	4/21/1938	Moonshine over Kentucky	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-022485	10-in.	4/21/1938	'Round the old deserted farm	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-022486	10-in.	4/21/1938	Azure	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-023288	10-in.	5/26/1938	Somewhere with somebody else	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Dick Wharton	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023289	10-in.	5/26/1938	It's the little things that count	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023290	10-in.	5/26/1938	Wacky dust	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023291	10-in.	5/26/1938	The wearing of the green	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-023476	10-in.	6/8/1938	The Pied Piper	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023477	10-in.	6/8/1938	Tonight will live	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Dick Wharton	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023478	10-in.	6/8/1938	(A sky of blue, with you) And so forth	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-023479	10-in.	6/8/1938	(How to make love in) Ten easy lessons	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	MS-023738	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1938	Now it can be told	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist	director
Victor	MS-023739	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1938	Flat foot floogie	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor ; Bernie Mackey	Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists	director
Victor	MS-023740	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1938	Cowboy from Brooklyn	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Dick Wharton	Jazz/dance band and male vocal solos	director
Victor	MS-023741	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1936	Pied piper	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band and female vocal soloist	director
Victor	MS-023742	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early June 1938	Wearin' of the green	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	MS-024474	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early July 1938	Small fry	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor	Jazz/dance band and female vocal solos	director
Victor	MS-024475	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early July 1938	Hi yo, Silver	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Ruth Gaylor ; Dick Wharton	Jazz/dance band and vocal soloists	director
Victor	MS-024476	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early July 1938	I used to be color blind	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	MS-024477	16-in. (33-1/3 rpm)	approximately early July 1938	Sing, you sinners	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-026870	10-in.	9/13/1938	When a prince of a fella meets a Cinderella	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Jayne Dover	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-026871	10-in.	9/13/1938	Livery stable blues	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-026872	10-in.	9/13/1938	Let this be a warning to you, baby	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Jayne Dover	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-026873	10-in.	9/13/1938	Why doesn't somebody tell me these things?	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Jayne Dover	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-026874	10-in.	9/13/1938	High society	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-026875	10-in.	9/13/1938	Father, dear Father	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Bernie Mackey	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-027913	10-in.	10/14/1938	Simple and sweet	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-027914	10-in.	10/14/1938	Button, button (Who's got the button)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-027915	10-in.	10/14/1938	I won't tell a soul I love you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-027916	10-in.	10/14/1938	(Shango, shango, shangoree) Rockin' rollers' jubilee	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-030168	10-in.	11/30/1938	In a mist	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030169	10-in.	11/30/1938	Flashes	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030170	10-in.	11/30/1938	Davenport blues	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030171	10-in.	11/30/1938	Candlelights	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030300	10-in.	11/22/1938	Sobbin' blues	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030301	10-in.	11/22/1938	I cried for you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Kathleen Lane	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-030302	10-in.	11/22/1938	Jelly-roll blues	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030303	10-in.	11/22/1938	'Deed I do	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Kathleen Lane	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-030338	10-in.	12/1/1938	In the dark	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-030339	10-in.	12/1/1938	Walkin' the dog	Bunny Berigan and his Men	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-035031	10-in.	3/15/1939	Patty cake, patty cake (Baker man)	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Kathleen Lane	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-035032	10-in.	3/15/1939	Jazz me blues	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-035033	10-in.	3/15/1939	Y' had it comin' to you	Bunny Berigan Orchestra ; Kathleen Lane	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director
Victor	BS-035034	10-in.	3/15/1939	There'll be some changes made	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-035035	10-in.	3/15/1939	Little gates special	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-035036	10-in.	3/15/1939	Gangbusters' holiday	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-043925	10-in.	11/28/1939	Peg o' my heart	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-043926	10-in.	11/28/1939	Night song	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-043927	10-in.	11/28/1939	Ain't she sweet	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	BS-043928	10-in.	11/28/1939	Ay-ay-ay	Bunny Berigan Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director
Columbia	W151604	10-in.	6/15/1931	At your command	Fred Rich Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist
Decca	60229	10-in.	12/13/1935	You took advantage of me	Bunny Berigan ; Blue Boys [Bunny Berigan ensemble]		director
Decca	60230	10-in.	12/13/1935	Chicken and waffles	Bunny Berigan ; Blue Boys [Bunny Berigan ensemble]		director
Decca	60231	10-in.	12/13/1935	I'm coming Virginia	Bunny Berigan ; Blue Boys [Bunny Berigan ensemble]		director
Decca	60232	10-in.	12/13/1935	Blues	Bunny Berigan ; Blue Boys [Bunny Berigan ensemble]		director

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Berigan, Bunny," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/353004.

Berigan, Bunny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/353004.

"Berigan, Bunny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.