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| Black British swing discography... |
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One of the features of the late 1930s and the war years was the presence on the London club scene of a number of exiled West Indian swing/jazz musicians. They worked in the bands of Ken Johnson and 'Jiver' Hutchinson as well as other prominent groups. The discography below is selective and in the main indicates what is available on CD. The entries for the Johnson and Hutchinson bands are interesting from the personnel view they give. Prominent players included Dave Wilkins, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Frank Deniz, Yorke de Souza, Lauderic Caton, Carl Barriteau and Bertie King and they remained after the war finished, some of them in the fledgling bop scene. These bands made few records and many of those that were made were of poor acoustic quality. Topic Records Ltd in association with the British Library Sound Archive have produced an excellent CD - Black British Swing which includes rare recordings from the period 1938 to 1944 featuring the music of Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson, Yorke de Souza, Lauderic Caton, Frank Deniz, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson and others. It is accompanied by an excellent 40 page booklet with photos, biographical details and full discography of titles on the CD. A few other performances of interest are available on other CDs... The session below was rejected by Parlophone and was never released... Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and his West Indian Dance Orchestra - February 4th, 1938 (Parlophone) Instrumentation and personnel unknown but probably very similar to, if not the same, as the Decca session on September 22nd, (below). Goodbye/Remember. Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and his West Indian Dance Orchestra - July 17th, 1938 (Acetate air check) Dave Wilkins, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Wally Bowen (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Carl Barriteau (cl), Bertie King (cl,as), George Roberts, Dave 'Baba' Williams (as,ts), Errol Barrow (p), Joe Deniz (g), Abe 'Pops' Clare (b), Tommy Wilson (d), Betty Dale (voc). Washington Squabble*/Please Be Kind (vocal BD)*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) September 22nd, 1938 (Decca) Personnel as July 17th except Betty Dale out. Snakehips Swing*^/Exactly Like You*/The Sheik Of Araby*/My Buddy*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and his West Indian Dance Orchestra - January 29th, 1940 (HMV) Dave Wilkins, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Jack Cosker (tp), Freddie Butt (tb), Carl Barriteau , Bertie King (cl,as), George Roberts, Dave 'Baba' Williams (as,ts), Errol Barrow (p), Joe Deniz (g), Ernie Stevens (b), Tommy Wilson (d), Don Johnson, Pat O'Regan (vcl). Seventeen Candles (vcl PO)/Goodnight, My Beautiful (vcl PO)/Give Me My Ranch (vcl DJ)*/I'm In Love For The Last Time (vcl PO). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) February 27th, 1940 (HMV) Personnel as January 29th. A Small Cafe By Notre Dame (vcl DJ)/Tuxedo Junction*/Ida*/Careless (vcl DJ). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) April 24th, 1940 (HMV) Personnel as January 29th except add Al Bowlly and the Henderson Twins (vcl). It's A Blue World (vcl DJ)/Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind (vcl AB-HT)*/It Was A Lover And His Lass (vcl AB-HT)*/Sing A Round-up Song (vcl DJ). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) Yorke de Souza Quartet - c1940 (Private studio recorded acetates) Yorke de Souza (p), Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Tommy Wilson (d). Sweet Georgia Brown*/Blue Skies*/Untitled Double Bass Cameo*/Stompin' At The Savoy*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) Lauderic Caton Quartet - c1940/1 (Acetate disc from the Java Joint) Frank Williams (tp), Lauderic Caton (g), Willie Wilson (p), Clinton Maxwell (d). The Jumping Jive*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) First English public Jam session - November 16th, 1941 (HMV) Kenny Baker (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Carl Barriteau (cl,ldr), Buddy Featherstonhaugh (ts), Dick Katz (p), Frank Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), George Firestone (d). Tea For Two (part 1)*/Tea For Two (part 2)*. (*Hep Records CD - Kenny Baker, Birth of a Legend '41-'46) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson (tp), Woolf Phillips (tb), Frank Weir (cl,ldr), Len Newberry (ts), Billy Munn (p), Jean Sasson (g), Jaap Sajet (b), Maurice Burman (d). St. Louis Blues (part 1)/St. Louis Blues (part 2). Dave Wilkins (tp), Woolf Phillips (tb), Harry Parry (cl,ldr), Aubrey Frank (ts), Art Thompson (p), Joe Deniz (g), Charlie Short (b), Bobby Midgley (d). Honeysuckle Rose/I've Found A New Baby. Cyril Blake And His Jigs Club Band - December 12th, 1941 (Regal Zonophone recorded live at the Jigs Club) Cyril Blake (tp,voc), Freddy Grant (cl), Colin Beaton (p), Lauderic Caton (g), Brylo Ford (b), Clinton Maxwell (d). Cyril's Blues*/Frolic Sam*/Rhythm Is Our Business*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) With the demise of Ken Johnson's West Indian Dance Orchestra in 1941 bandleader Harry Parry started to use a number of musicians from the band - Frank and Joe Deniz (g), Dave Wilkins (tp), and Lauderic Caton (el-g) all appeared from time to time. Wilkins stayed for several years and in 1942 Yorke de Souza (p) also joined Parry and his Sextet. From 1941 to 1944 until Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson formed his big band. These musicians recorded many titles with Parry, and those listed here under Harry Parry's name are all available on CD Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet - January 11th, 1942 (Parlophone) Harry Parry (cl), Reggie Dare (ts), Tommy Pollard (p), Roy Marsh (vib), Lauderic Caton (solo g), Archie Slavin (g), Charlie Short (b), Bobby Richards (d), Benny Lee (vocal). Blues For Eight*/Thrust and Parry/Someday Sweetheart (vocal BL)*/Sheik Of Araby*. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) This was recorded as a tribute to the second world war effort of Britain's Merchant Navy, the proceeds from the sale of the record went to provide comforts for the sailors. Melody Maker's Competition Band - May 31st, 1942 (Decca) Dave Wilkins, Kenny Baker, Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm, Woolf Phillips (tb), Harry Parry (cl), Harry Hayes (as), George Evans, Aubrey Frank, Reg Dare (ts), George Shearing (p), Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Jock Cummings (d). Red Duster Rag*/Red Duster Rag. (*Hep Records CD - Kenny Baker, Birth of a Legend '41-'46) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet - August 14th, 1942 (Parlophone) Dave Wilkins (tp,vocal), Harry Parry (cl), Ken Oldham (ts), York De Souza (p), Joe Deniz (g), Sam Molineaux (b), Sid Raymond (d). Potomac Jump*/I Can't Dance (vocal DW)/Rock It Out*/Who's Sorry Now. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) March 23rd, 1943 (Parlophone) Personnel as August 14th, 1942 except Joe Deniz out. You Are My Lucky Star*/Blue Train Blues (vocal HP)*/The Darktown Strutters Ball/Stardust. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) Harry Parry and his Radio Sextet - June 21st, 1943 (Parlophone) Dave Wilkins (tp,vocal), Harry Parry (cl), Ken Oldham (ts), Derek Neville (as,bs), York De Souza (p), Sam Molineaux (b), Sid Raymond (d), Rita Marlowe (vcl). Polly Put The Kettle On#/Dr.Heckle And Mr. Jibe#/St. Louis Blues (vocal RM)/Body And Soul*. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) (#Sunflower CD - Harry Parry's Radio Rhythm Club Sextets - Crazy Rhythm) August 19th, 1943 (Parlophone) Personnel as March 23rd. Basin Street Blues/Runnin'Wild*/Rosetta/Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) October 23rd, 1943 (Parlophone) Personnel as March 23rd. Blue Lou/No Gin Blues/Hallelujah*/Boogie Rides To Yorke. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet - December 28th, 1943 (Parlophone) Stan Roderick (tp), Harry Parry (cl), Derek Neville (as,bs), Ken Oldham (ts), York De Souza (p), Sam Molineaux (b), Sid Raymond (d). Moonglow*/On The Sunny Side Of The Street/If I Had You/South Rampart Street Parade*. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - January 6th, 1944 (Decca) Carl Barriteau (cl,as,vcl), Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Kenny Baker, Jack Cosker (tp), Harry Roche, Jack Bentley (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Norman Impey, Joe Appleton (ts), Stanley Black (p), Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Clinton Maxwell (d). Ol' Man Mose (vcl CB), Concerto For Clarinet (Part 1)/Concerto For Clarinet (Part 2). February 23rd, 1944 (Decca) Personnel as January 5th. Down For Double (unissued)/A Sultan Goes To Harlem/The Touch Of Your Lips (unissued). Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet - March 3rd, 1944 (Parlophone) Personnel as December 28th, 1943. Jazz Me Blues/I Surrender Dear/I'll Remember April/One O'clock Jump*. (*Vocalion CD - Parry Opus - The Harry Parry Sextets) Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - May 8th, 1944 (Decca) Personnel probably similar to January 6th. Add Mae Cooper (vcl). Am I Blue/I'll Get By (vcl MC)/Somebody Loves Me (vcl MC)/I Wished On The Moon. Frank Deniz and his Spirits of Rhythm - May 17th, 1944 (Decca) Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Claire Deniz (p), Frank Deniz, Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Tony Lytton (d). When I Grow Too Old Too Dream/Soft Winds*. (*Topic CD - Black British Swing) The four titles on this session were all rejected and not issued by Decca. There first release seems to be on the two CDs listed... Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson and his Coloured Orchestra - July 31st, 1944 (Decca) Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Dave Wilkins, Frank Williams (tp), Harry Roche (tb), Bertie King, George Roberts, Joe Appleton, Freddy Grant (saxes), Yorke de Souza (p), Joe Deniz (g), Coleridge Goode (b), Clinton Maxwell (d), Pinky Mackenzie (vcl). Swing Low Sweet Chariot*^/Big Top Boogie*/Cherokee/More Than You Know (vcl PM). (*Topic CD - Black British Swing) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - August 28th, 1944 (Decca) Personnel probably similar to January 6th. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (vcl CB)/Minor Mood. Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson and his Coloured Orchestra - December 19th, 1946 (BBC broadcast) Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Dave Wilkins, Pete Pitterson (tp), Frank Baker, Harry Roche (possibly) (tb), Bertie King, George Tyndale, George Roberts, Joe Appleton (or Johnny Jones), (saxes), Yorke de Souxa (p), Joe Deniz (g), Bobby Henry (b), Clinton Maxwell (d). Dr Heckle And Mr Jibe*. (*Topic CD - Black British Swing) With the increasing interest in the new modern jazz sounds at this time, the 'Melody Maker' and 'Columbia Records' held a joint jazz rally at which the Harry Hayes Band and the Woolf Phillips group played. Dave Wilkins, Bertie King, Frank Deniz and Carl Barriteau all took part Melody Maker's Jazz Rally - June 29th, 1947 (All issued on Columbia) Dave Wilkins (tp), Woolf Phillips (tb), Harry Parry (cl), Reggie Dare (ts), Ralph Sharon (p), Pete Chilver (g), Jack Fallon (b), Norman Burns (d). Who's Sorry Now (part 1)/Who's Sorry Now (part 2). Same date Reg Arnold (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Bertie King (as) Cliff Townsend (vln), Ralph Sharon (p), Frank Deniz (g), Jack Collier (b), Jock Cummings (d). I've Found A New Baby. Same date Frank Weir, Carl Barriteau (cl), Harry Hayes, Bertie King (as), Tommy Whittle (ts), Ralph Sharon (p), Dave Goldberg (g), Jack Collier (b), Jock Cummings (d). Confessin'/C Jam Blues/Thriving On A Riff*. (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) |