Read about the Sacramento Local Music Scene at Playlist Research Bill Rase Orchestra The Bill Rase Orchestra was a big band in Sacramento that formed in 1947 and continued through the 2000s. The band released a 30th anniversary album in 1977. Bill Rase (1926-2006) became a radio show host then a TV show host as a big band leader on KCRA Channel 3 in the 1950s. The children's show continued through the mid-sixties. Then Bill focused on building his local business, Bill Rase Recording Studios, where countless Sacramento acts recorded music. It started on Franklin Boulevard in 1965 then in 1974 moved to its final destination at 955 Venture Court near Fair Oaks and Howe. The studio lasted for decades until Bill's death in 2006. Some of the local artists who recorded at Bill's studio included rock band The Hairem in 1966, jazz band Stan Kline Sextet in 1977 and jazz band Stan Mark & His River City Stompers in 1987. The studio also became a center for producing radio commercials where KROY morning host Tony Cox did voice-over work. Bill's orchestra generally played big band standards of the 1930s and 1940s, even during the early fifties when they played several high school dances at a venue called Governor's Hall. Here is a tracklist of songs from the 1977 vinyl album Bill Rase Orchestra - 30th Anniversary on Esar Records:
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