Casa Loma Orchestra                                                    
                        
                            The Casa Loma Orchestra was a prominent American dance band, originally formed as the Orange Blossoms in 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. The band adopted its more famous name after an engagement at the Casa Loma hotel in Toronto. It was active from 1929 to 1963 and became one of the leading swing bands in North America before the proliferation of swing bands in the mid-1930s. The orchestra was notable for its cooperative structure, with members being shareholders and board members, which contributed to its stable lineup.
Under the leadership of saxophonist Glen Gray, the band was known for its sophisticated arrangements, many of which were crafted by Gene Gifford. The Casa Loma Orchestra was praised for its musicianship and was a significant influence on the swing era, competing with both white and black jazz orchestras of the time. It recorded over 450 sides for labels such as Okeh, Brunswick, Victor, and Decca, and was renowned for its danceable music and elegant presentation.
The orchestra's popularity waned after the rise of Benny Goodman and other swing bands, but it continued to perform and record into the 1940s. After disbanding in 1947, it was reformed by Glen Gray in 1957 as a studio band, recording a series of albums for Capitol Records until Gray's death in 1963. Among its notable recordings is the original version of "Sunrise Serenade" in 1939. The Casa Loma Orchestra remains a significant part of jazz history, known for its contributions to the development of swing music.