Vinyl Vault: Widespread Depression Orchestra, “Boogie in the Barnyard” & “Time to Jump and Shout”

The swing is the thing on the next Vinyl Vault when we hear tracks from two albums by the Widespread Depression Orchestra, “Boogie in the Barnyard” (1980) and “Time to Jump and Shout” (1981). Both albums were released on the Stash record label.

WDO was a nine-piece band that started in 1972 at Marlboro College in Vermont. Originally, the band focused on R&B and early rock ‘n’ roll, but by the early 1980s, they had switched to the swing era of the 1930s and the big band sound of that time.

The band was led by Jon Holtzman on vibes and vocals. Also in the band at that time was Mike LeDonne, who has gone on to a high-profile career in jazz, leading several bands and recording many albums over the years. Jordan Sandke and his brother Randy Sandke were both in the band in the early 1980s. Both have gone on to play jazz in many different contexts, and Randy has recorded many albums under his own name.

Check out the swingin’ WDO on the next Vinyl Vault with Geoff Anderson, on Tuesday, May 5, at 8:30 p.m. on KUVO JAZZ.