Roy Eldridge with the Gene Krupa Orchestra Featuring Anita O’Day: Uptown (Columbia, 1990) [recorded between 1941 and 1943]

The most famous drummer of the Swing Era wasn’t the star of his own orchestra. Trumpeter Eldridge (whom Dizzy Gillespie called “the Messiah of our generation”) and singer O’Day took center stage. The former shines on “After You’ve Gone” and the legendary “Rockin’ Chair,” the latter on “Stop! The Red Light’s On” and “‘Murder’ He Says,” and both together on “Thanks for the Boogie Ride” and the joyful “Let Me Off Uptown.” MICHAEL J. WEST

Learn more about Uptown on Amazon and Apple Music.