In 1928, Pollack decided to hire in a new drummer so he could focus on his duties as bandleader and brought in the legendary Ray Beauduc. That same year, Pollack also recruited trumpeter Jimmy McPartland of the Austin High Gang and trombonist Jack Teagarden. Needless to say, that was one hell of a lineup.
Louise - Ben Pollack And His Park Central Orchestra (Victor) - YouTube
78rpm: Bashful Baby - Ben Pollack and his Park Central Orchestra, 1929 - Victor Scroll 22074 - YouTube
After the Depression struck, the band had trouble finding work. McPartland and Goodman left first and then Teagarden left in 1933. Miller had quite a lot of extra work most notably with the Dorsey Brothers so his departure was inevitable. Shortly after Teagarden left, the band fell apart from lack of gigs. The core of the band formed a cooperative and who handed over the reins to Bob Crosby and became Bob Crosby & His Bobcats. This stuff was definitely swing. Below, the band performs a song by bassist Bob Haggart who was also the arranger for both Crosby and Pollack. Ray Bauduc is on the drums. Although Bob Crosby neither looks nor sings like his more famous brother, Bing, he was still a competent bandleader who deserved more from posterity than he has gotten. In fact, this is a magnificent clip:
Bob Crosby - Big Noise Blew In From Winnetka - YouTube
Here, the band gets a little closer to its Dixieland/New Orleans roots but it’s still swing:
Bob Crosby -- Charleston (VintageMusic.es) - YouTube
This will have to do for the early Swing Era. We still have plenty more to cover which we will do in Part 2 (yes, we're still in Part 1).