Make Believe Ballroom

Jeff Bressler
  • 4.3 (11)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by Jeff Bressler, The Make Believe Ballroom, each week, brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s. The program has been broadcast almost continuously since 1935. Each program mixes beloved 78 rpm records, stories, listener requests, and special guest features, all geared to bring you the music and history of the big band era.  

  1. 3D AGO

    Make Believe Ballroom - 1/9/26 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom - the evolution of a riff into a best-selling tune, a look at two hugely popular All-Star bands of the 1930s and 40s, in addition to many more songs and reminisces.

    58 min

  2. JAN 2

    Make Believe Ballroom - 1/2/26 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler - a series of first-time ever recorded songs, an obsolete music industry profession, three great clarinetists overshadowed by Goodman and Shaw - all this and more great records and memories for your listening pleasure.

    58 min

  3. 12/26/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 12/26/25 Edition

    Happy Holiday's! A repeat broadcast as the Make Believe Ballroom crew celebrates. This week's Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s - a big band leader who had to change his name. This popular bandleader had a second career as an MC and DJ, plus many more great songs and stories to cherish and enjoy on this week's program.

    58 min

  4. 12/19/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 12/19/25 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler, a listen to some fabulous music from the year 1938, a song Artie Shaw absolutely hated, a big band icon writes a dictionary, and the role the vocalist played in music from the 1930s.

    58 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 12/12/25 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler, we listen to some music and history from On the Bill Savory Collection. Savory was a radio sound engineer who captured for posterity jazz broadcast radio remotes that networks transmitted live from hotel ballrooms and clubs, a staple of programming in the 30s and 40s. During Savory's era, after most live broadcasts ended, they were rarely saved, primarily due to technical issues, budget constraints, or a lack of understanding of the jazz movement's history. Savory dedicated many years to preserving this musical history.

    58 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 12/5/25 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler: the first time a specific instrument was used in a jazz recording, Jeff’s favorite crooners from the era, a most underrated big band song, plus many more stories and music from the 30s and 40s.

    58 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 11/28/25 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler: the story behind a Count Basie song title, the economic impact of big bands, were Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra friends, plus many more great records and stories to cherish and enjoy on this week's broadcast.   The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

    58 min

  8. 11/21/2025

    Make Believe Ballroom - 11/21/25 Edition

    On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom hosted by Jeff Bressler: one of the most touching partnerships in jazz history, jazz music loved by a classical composer, Glenn Miller lends a hand to a fellow musician, plus many more great records and stories to cherish and enjoy on this week's broadcast.   The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

    58 min
See All (221)

4.3
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Hosted by Jeff Bressler, The Make Believe Ballroom, each week, brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s. The program has been broadcast almost continuously since 1935. Each program mixes beloved 78 rpm records, stories, listener requests, and special guest features, all geared to bring you the music and history of the big band era.  

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Bressler
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Retro Radioland
  • Show Website
    Make Believe Ballroom