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"FRALINGER PLAYS STRING AND SWING" is a collaboration of two popular styles of music enjoyed by millions of people continuously for almost seventy years. As a string band, Fralinger has successfully brought swing music into the string band songbook, thus creating a stage for new ideas in presenting Philadelphia Mummers themes. This contemporary music era of string bands began on January 1, 1972 with Fralinger’s epic Sound of the Big Bands presentation. Since then almost all string bands have integrated the swing sound into their themes. The relationship between String and Swing, String Bands and Swing Bands, is unique because it is played by musicians who love their music so very much. This recorded concert by Fralinger is an arrangement of some of the most popular string band and swing band songs ever performed. Their signature jazz style allows Fralinger to easily deliver the authentic sound of the big bands. This collection of favorite songs of string and swing will allow the listener to enjoy and compare the shared excitement of both musical styles. The band, in keeping with the true Philadelphia tradition, play only the reed, string, and percussion instruments to create this rare and contrasting concert. The Fralinger String Band was founded in December, 1914 by the late Dr. John J. Fralinger and the band first paraded in the annual Philadelphia Mummers Parade on January 1, 1915. Herb Smith, a band member since 1958 and musical director/arranger from 1966 to 2002, has put together a fabulous collection that you will surely enjoy for many years to come. www.fralinger.org