That Toddlin' Town: Chicago's White Dance Bands And Orchestras, 1900-1950 (Music in American Life)

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Summary: An economic history the band business of Chicago
Review: The latest volume in the "Music in American Life" series, That Toddlin' Town: Chicago's White Dance Bands and Orchestras, 1900-1950 is an economic history the band business of Chicago prior to World War II. Written by an experienced jazz and dance band researcher, That Toddlin' Town covers big names such as Edgar Benson, Jules Stein and James Petrillo, and more, as well as the endeavors of dance bands, the role of early dance halls, ice rinks, and beer gardens, how dance bands earned popular respect, the impact of the Great Depression, and much more. A thoroughly researched account, featuring an extensive bibliography and index, That Toddlin' Town is a "must-have" for jazz and dance band historians.