Old-disc Jockey, The

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Host: John Worthington  
1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Sundays

The Old-disc Jockey celebrates the swing bands recorded between the late 1920s and the 1950s, presented by the enthusiastic, encyclopaedic and entertaining John Worthington, himself a radio deejay of the latter part of that era.

You’ll hear a grand balance of original vocal and instrumental big-band music, the obligatory record by Duke Ellington (whom John calls the real fountainhead of it all) and some of the familiar hits of the era. But you'll also hear many less well-known treasures showcasing the style of the bandleader, or the skill of a particular sideman in the band. You might hear the trumpet of Charlie Shavers, a soloist in Tommy Dorsey’s band and others; a Benny Goodman number in which one or two trombone soloists strut their stuff; or Peggy Lee singing something you’d never have expected. And if you’re really lucky, you might hear one of the many swinging tracks lovingly restored by CKUA’s legendary Old-disc Jockey.

Theme Music:
The opening theme is called "Cirrus" and was written by a Canadian, Paul Horn. It is played by Johnny Pisano and Billy Bean - except for the opening chimes, which were added by former CKUA announcer Herb Johnson sometime in the 1960s. John Worthington still has the set of chimes those three notes were played on!

The closing theme is "To You", written by Thad Jones and played by the combined Duke Ellington and Count Basie orchestras.