Dance band, started in New York City in April 1936 by ex-Ben Bernie saxophonist
Dick Stabile. Stabile claimed to hold the world record for hitting the highest note on a saxophone, an assertion supported by a 1942 Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" cartoon. He also composed the band's theme song -- "Blue Nocturne" -- in addition to other popular numbers, such as "Cloudburst", "Raindrops on the River" and "That's How I Need You". The band enjoyed a lengthy residency at New York's Lincoln Hotel and featured in several Paramount productions during the 1940's. Radio sponsorship came via "The Chesterfield Show" and "The American Can Company Show". Stabile himself was drafted into wartime service in the Coast Guard and temporarily turned over the baton to his wife, vocalist
Gracie Barrie. Sidemen with the orchestra included composer/arrangers
Chauncey Gray and
George Siravo, multi-instrumentalist Spencer Clark, trombonist Joe Sparta, New Orleans drummer Reed Vaughan and vocalist
Paula Kelly. After the war, Stabile moved to Southern California and became musical director for "The Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis" TV show. He remained active as a band leader well into the 1970's.