September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957

This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956.
Highlights:

Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You."

Steve plays piano.

Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing."

Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You."

Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. 

Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future  engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). 
Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break.  

NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and  of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. 

The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  

After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
 
NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.                                                                                                                                               

 September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957

This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956.
Highlights:

Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You."

Steve plays piano.

Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing."

Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You."

Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. 

Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future  engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). 
Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break.  

NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and  of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. 

The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show.  

After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. 
 
NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu  comedy.  
The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized  feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby).  Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.    

Duplicate of 6967E.                                                                                                                                                         

November 5, 1956 - June 24, 1957 (15 minutes)
July 2, 1957 - December 17, 1957 (30 minutes)   

When Nat King Cole' NBC TV series began November 5, 1956 it originated from New York City while Cole was winding up his current stint at the Copacabana. After the fourth broadcast the series was broadcast from Los Angeles. where it would remain for its complete run. 

Nat King Cole became the first major black performer to headline a network variety series. His 15 minute show filled the remainder of the half hour in which NBC TV aired its nightly news program, THE HUNTLEY BRINKLY REPORT. 

On July 2, 1957 THE NAT KING COLE SHOW became a half hour program. Many stars appeared on the show for minimum fees as personal favors to him, in an effort to bolster low ratings. But the efforts were in vain, and it would be another decade before a black entertainer could begin to make a significant dent into he mass medium of television. 

Nat King Cole sings, "Only a Paper Moon," "Sweet Lorraine," "With Your on my Mind," "Stompin' At The Savoy," 

Nat King Cole with Oscar Peterson Jr. "Tenderly."

 Norman Granz introduces some of the musicians from his, "Jazz At The Philharmonic" series. Ganz has just completed his 18th annual tour. Nat King Cole tells his audience that this is the  first television appearance of, "Jazz At The Philharmonic." 

Opening is not archived. Otherwise complete. 

                                          

June 19, 1965-September 11, 1965. Trumpeter Al Hirt hosted this variety hour, a summer replacement for "Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine."   

NOTE: "The Strut"
Written by Oscar Peterson is performed by Liza Minnelli.          

  Scott Ellsworth's guest is pianist Oscar Peterson.

March 30, 1970 - April 1, 1972
KFI 640 Los Angeles AM Radio.

162 individual  broadcast Audio Air Checks survive. 
A goldmine of originally recorded live interviews with the greats from the Jazz and Big Band era, with integrated recorded samples of their work played throughout the broadcast.  


Scott Ellsworth was the creator and on-air host of the popular radio program, "SCOTT'S PLACE." It aired live on KFI-AM in Los Angeles, six times a week, from midnight to 4:00 am (MARCH 30, 1970 - APRIL 1, 1972). Over 500 unique broadcasts featured jazz and big band music, interspersed with live interviews with musicians, singers, composers, conductors, arrangers, band leaders, writers, music producers, dealers & promoters.

These guest artists would drop by the studio after midnight, quite often following work or performing, and would bring some of their favorite records or personal recordings to the show to play for Scott and his audience. They would talk about their career, reminiscing with anecdotes...their love of jazz and big band music.

Interviews averaged in length from one hour to four hours.

Scott was exceptional in his ability to draw together some of the finest artists and musicians representing the history of jazz music...many who were not known by name to the general public, but well know to the jazz community dating back to the 1920's, 30's,40's, and 50's.

The SCOTT'S PLACE theme music, "Have A Nice Day," played by Count Basie & his band, was composed and arranged by Sammy Nestico specifically for Scott, in July 1971. It was used permanently as Scott's theme music beginning in November 1971. 

Most of the lesser known legendary jazz artists who frequented the show did few, if any, talk shows in their life, making these candid conversations so valued since most of these individuals are now deceased.

Guests included:

Matty Matlock, Jess Stacey, Thelma Carpenter, Mercer Ellington, Lex Baxter, Nellie Lutcher, Billy May, George Van Eps, Shorty "Clarence " Sherock, Bobby Bryant, Dick Nash, Nick Fatool, Abraham Lincoln, Rollie Bondock, Ray Sherman, Irv Cottler, Lew McCleary, Kai Winding, Jack Coon, Pat Williams, Duke Ellington, Melba Liston, Conte Condoli, Benny Golson, Mariah McPartland, Johnny Mandel, Johnny Guarnieri, Vince Darosa, Stan Kenton, Fred Gerry, Gerry McKenzie, Pete Dailey, Robert Enevolsen, Jack Marshall, Clair Fisher, Howard Rumsey, John Klemmer, Maurice Harris, Johnny Best, Ted Curson, Dave Garroway, Jimmy Smith, Gus Bivona, Johnny Pate, Harold Land, Joe Marsala, Ralph Carmichael, Clair Fisher, Mundell Lowe, Dave Cavanaugh, Teddy Buckner, Al Rinker, Floyd Huddleston, George Auld, Sonny Burke, Bill Bacin, Paul Tanner, Lorenzo Flennoy, Bill Berry Dave Dexter, Blue Mitchelle, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Benny Powell, Lee Young, Joe Comfort, David Rose, Arnold Ross, Earl Palmer, Jimmy Witherspoon, Benjamin "Scatman" Crothers, Bill Evans, Cat Anderson (William Alonzo),
Al Aarons, Ronnie Lang, Frank Beach, Joe Pass, Jimmy Jones, Van Alexander, Peanuts Hucko, Panama "David" Francis, Marty Patche, Louis Bellson, Sam Most, Don Menza Billy Eckstine, Sam   Donahue, Nellie Lutcher (second interview), Teddy Edwards, Alvin Stoller, Marshall Royal, Terry Gibbs, Louis Jordan, Ulysses Livingstone, Dr. Bill MacPherson, Al McKibbon, John E. Collins, Johnny Rotella, Allyn M. Ferguson, Frank Comstock, Meyer "Mike" Ruben, Bill Pitman, Irving Townsend, Mike Melvoin, Lou Levy, Lennie Niehaus, Preston Love, 
Buddy Clark, Billy Byers, Nappy Lamare, Tony Ortega, Jesse Price, Dick Cary, Dee Barton, Nat Pierce, Ray Avery, Mel Torme, Don Trenner, Milt Jackson, Tommy Shephard, Dalton Smith, LeRoy Vinegar, Eddie Miller, Muzzy Marsalino, Kai Winding (two apparances), Greig Stewart "Chubby" Jackson, Donald Johnson Ellis, Matty Matlock (two appearances),Barney Bigard, Bill Miller, Johnny Sipple, Chlora Bryant, Jerry Goldsmith, Scott Ellsworth SPECIAL BROADCAST, recorded live at Disneyland with Earl "Father" Hines, Trummy Young, Yank Lawson, Bob Haggart, Bob Crosby, and Dizzy Gillepsie.
Sal Gubin, Joe Howard, Sonny Burke, Count Basie, Feddy Green, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, J.C. Williams, Robert McCracken, Frank D'Rone Jackie Mills, Scott Ellsworth SPECIAL BROADCASTS at the 14th annual Monteray Jazz Festival, Tommy Tedesco, Oscar Peterson, J.J. Johnson, Irving C. Ashby, Johnny Mandel (two appearances), Slim Giallard, George T. Simon, Irv Cottler (two appearances), Della Reese (two appearances), Wayne Songer, Harry Mills, Alton Purnell, Lalo Schifrin, June Christy, Ed Garland, Barney Bigard (two appearances), Leonard Feather, Collin Bailey, Paul Smith, Adele Girari, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Shelly Manne, Sarah Vaughan, & Johnny Mercer.

*On the ARCHIVAL TELEVISION AUDIO, INC. website (www.atvaudio.com) click the ARSC link and one can listen to a live 45 minute retrospective as presented by Phil Gries with guest Scott Ellsworth, held May 14, 2011 in Los Angeles California at the Grand Wilshire Hotel, as part of the 45th ARSC National Conference. The history and genesis of SCOTT'S PLACE is discussed with many peerless audio examples of past programs played for the audience. Scott, reminisces with many anecdotes related to these broadcasts. Power point still photographs related to different SCOTT'S PLACE broadcasts supplemented the narrative.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

October 1, 1962-March 29, 1963 (NBC); 1965-1969 (Syndicated); August 18, 1969-February 11, 1972 (CBS); 1972-1986 (Syndicated).

Guests Host: Rich Little.