Anson Weeks

Anson Weeks was a popular American band leader of the early 20th Century. He assembled his first band in 1924 and became very popular on the West Coast, particularly in California, his home state. In the early 1930's, he had a popular radio show on NBC, as well as a recording contract with Columbia Records.

In 1934, he moved to New York, where he attained even more popularity and visibility. Unfortunately, just as the swing era neared its zenith, he was injured in a bus accident while on tour and had to leave the music business to undergo a long and difficult treatment and recovery. He returned to music in the 1950s and continued to record and perform, primarily in California, until his death.

Weeks's music was more melodic and less jazzy than that of many of the other swing bands, making it a popular choice for dancing. A number of persons who performed with him later became famous in their own right, including Dale Evans, Xavier Cugat, and Bob Crosby.

For more information, see All Music.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.