Disneyland's Cavalcade of Big Bands

June 2, 1962 was the first time Disneyland hosted the Cavalcade of Big Bands. Called "Cavalcade of Bands at Disneyland" in the park brochures, the week-long event featured Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Band with the Modernaires (with Paula Kelley) and Ray Eberle, Count Basie and his Band, and Charlie Barnet. Tickets were $5.50 (or $4.95 in advance). Concerts were from 8pm-1am (I am guessing they must have played "1 O'Clock Jump" at some point!).

June 1, 1963 was the 2nd Annual Cavalcade of Big Bands and it featured live performances from Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra, Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra, and The Elliott Brothers Band (a "Disneyland resident crew"). Here's the complete schedule:

6/1: Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra, Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra, and The Elliott Brothers Band

6/28-7/4: Count Basie and His Orchestra

7/22-7/27: Tex Beneke and His Orchestra featuring Ray Eberle, Paula Kelly, and The Modernaires

8/27-9/1: Harry James and His Orchestra

9/27-9/28: Dixieland with Louis Armstrong, The Dukes of Dixieland, trumpeter Teddy Buckner

Thanks to the Ulyate Family, here are some photos of Disneyland's 2nd Annual Cavalcade of Big Bands piano radio that can be seen in the vintage photo at the beginning of this post:







See more vintage & current Disneyland Plaza Garden photos on my Disneyland Plaza Garden web page.