Band,
Jazz and Pop
The Commanders (aka The Commanders Big Band) was formed by drummer Eddie Grady and Tutti Camarata as a recording project and "road band". Eddie Grady was a child star drummer who moved through many bands before becoming an established studio session drummer. His studio experience led to the formation of The Commanders. The Commanders toured for the 3 years between 1954 to 1957, playing the major ballrooms from coast to coast. The original band had the 4 trombones in the front row. The second row consisted of 3 trumpets and two saxes (alto and a tenor who doubled on bass sax). The rhythm section were the drums, bass, piano and guitar. Commanders Big Band: TROMBONES Al Lorraine - Lead Porky Cohen - Jazz - Some lead too. (From Providence R.I.) Morty Trautmaun - - A little lead Felix Mayerhofer - A little lead TRUMPETS 1st - Unknown - I've got a mental block Willie Gillette - Jazz - He played some lead too. Mario Bonofidi - Split lead - From N.Y. SAXES Paul Gaglio - Alto - He was featured quite often. Lou Lindholm - Tenor and Bass Sax - He was also featured on record dates on the bass saxophone. RHYTHM Drums - Eddie Grady Bass - Rudy Berser (Later replaced by Jimmy Gannon) Piano - George Cooper Guitar - Griff Howe VOCALIST Lucia Roberts - She did a recording with the band ("All By Myself") Other Members (studio and tour) Al Klink (tenor, bass instrument); Carmen Mastren (guitar); Hymie Shertzer (saxophone, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Andrew Ferretti, Carle Poole, Billy Butterfield (trumpet); Bob Cutshall, Phil Giardina, Lou McGarrity, Jack Sarrerfield (trombone); Bernie Leighton (piano); Sandy Bloch, Bob Haggart (bass instrument);
![]() | Al Klink sax, ts 1915-1991 US |
![]() | Hymie Schertzer sax, as 1909-1977 |
![]() | Bernie Leighton p 1921-1994 US |
![]() | Cutty Cutshall tb 1911-1968 US |
![]() | Billy Butterfield tr 1917-1988 US |
![]() | Lou McGarity tb 1917-1971 US |
![]() | Carmen Mastren g 1913-1981 US |
![]() | Tutti Camarata tr 1913-2005 US |
![]() | Carl Poole tr |
![]() | Jack Satterfield tb US |
![]() | Andy Ferretti tr |
![]() | Eddie Grady dr |
![]() | Phil Giardina tb US |
![]() | Sandy Block b 1917-1985 US |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Eddie Grady: Drums & Big Band | Eddie Grady With The Commanders | 2017 | Album |
The Ultimate Collection | The Commanders | 2012 | Album |
The Commanders Big Band | The Commanders | 2004 | Album |
The Proud One / The Touch (Le Grisbi) | Fred Lowery, The Commanders | 1968 | Single |
Teenage Hop | Warren Covington and The Commanders | 1957 | Album |
Shall We Dance? | Warren Covington And The Commanders | 1956 | Album |
Cuddle Me | The Commanders | 1956 | Single |
By Myself | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | 1956 | Single |
Satchmo Sings | Louis Armstrong, Gary Crosby, The Commanders, The Jud Conlon Rhythmaires | 1955 | Single |
A Foggy Day | The Commanders | 1955 | Single |
Dance Party - Part 1 | The Commanders featuring Eddie Grady | 1955 | Single |
Tanz Mit Den Commanders | The Commanders | 1955 | Single |
The Elephants Tango | The Commanders Featuring Eddie Grady | 1955 | Single |
Birmin'ham / The Dixie Flyer | The Commanders Featuring Eddie Grady | 1955 | Album |
Cornball #1 / Camptown Boogie | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | 1955 | Single |
The Cat From Catalina / The Monster | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | 1955 | Single |
Muskrat Ramble / Someday You'll Be Sorry | Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars / Louis Armstrong And The Commanders | 1955 | Single |
There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight / Cuddle Me | The Commanders | 1954 | Album |
Anyplace, Anytime, Anywhere / Lulu's Back In Town | Don Cherry And The Commanders | 1954 | Single |
Meet The Commanders - Volume 2 | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | 1954 | Single |
Make Love To Me / Kentucky Boogie | The Commanders | 1954 | Album |
Meet The Commanders | The Commanders | 1954 | Single |
Meet The Commanders | The Commanders, Eddie Grady | 1954 | Album |
Ich Wünsche Mir Ein Mädchen | The Commanders | 1954 | Single |
Make Love To Me | The Commanders | 1954 | Single |
I Want A Little Girl/Davey Jones (At The Bottom Of The Sea) | The Commanders | 1953 | Single |
Kaw-Liga / My Heart Is A Kingdom | Dolores Gray And The Commanders | 1953 | Album |
"O" (Oh!) / Meet The Brass | The Commanders | 1953 | Album |
The Touch (Le Grisbi) | The Commanders | 1953 | Single |
Kaw-Liga / My Heart Is A Kingdom | Dolores Gray And The Commanders | 1953 | Album |
Davey Jones / I Want A Little Girl | The Commanders | 1953 | Album |
'Zat You, Santa Claus? | Louis Armstrong And The Commanders | 1953 | Single |
When I'm With You / Hors D'Oeuvre | The Commanders | 1953 | Single |
The Gipsy / I Can't Afford To Miss This Dream | Louis Armstrong And The Commanders | 1951 | Album |
Jim'ny Crickets / It’s A Wonderful World | The Commanders | Album | |
The March Of The Commanders | The Commanders | Single | |
Jim'ny Crickets | The Commanders | Single | |
Marie / No Quiero Perderme Este Sueño | Louis Armstrong Y The Mills Brothers Acomp. De The Sy Oliver Choir Y Sy Oliver And His Orchestra Y The Commanders | Single | |
Honey In The Horn / Swanee River Boogie | The Commanders | Album | |
Dance Party Part 2 | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | Single | |
Meet The Commanders - Volume 1 | The Commanders With Eddie Grady | Single | |
Dance Party | The Commanders Featuring Eddie Grady | Album |
The Commanders R&B/Soul and World Band |
The Commanders Rock Band |