Swing Into History

With the exception of the most ardent collectors and older generation, the influence and legacy of the big bands is largely forgotten despite their overwhelming popularity and significant role in early radio. Join Larson as he revisits the sounds America listened and danced to for more than three decades. Learn how iconic artists like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald got their start along with fellow bands, vocalists, composers and musicians. Finally, enjoy the real thing, as Larson plays from his personal collection of 30,000 recordings, sharing little- known historical trivia along with vintage sheet music, posters and postcards. Host organizations may request specially themed music presentations, i.e. Songs Of The Old West, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, The Depression Years, Roaring Twenties, etc. Historical background information and displays are included.

Erik Larson earned a B. A. degree from San Diego State University in 1962 and served with Boys Clubs Of America (now Boys & Girls Clubs) for 30 years  as the director of five different Clubs throughout the Midwest and California. While in Aberdeen, South Dakota and Des Moines, Iowa he received a national awards for creating outreach programs designed to help youth from single parent or otherwise disadvantaged families. Eventually he was asked to join the National Staff as a management consultant to individual Club staffs and boards of directors. For nearly two decades, he has been a volunteer docent at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff.