Other big bands...
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The other big bands...
From the mid 1950s Johnny Dankworth and Vic Lewis led the only big bands that could be described as playing some big band jazz.

However the Downbeat Big Band, playing modern jazz only, began a long residency at the original Downbeat Club in Manor House, North London on November 5th, 1956. The lineup varied over time, Pictured L to R (back row): Phil Seamen, Keith Christie, Les Condon, Eddie Blair, Bobby Pratt, Jimmy Deuchar (front row): Stan Robinson, Alan Branscombe, Tubby Hayes, Jack Sharpe. It lasted until 1960 and was the forerunner of later editions of Tubby Hayes Big Bands. It registered fourth place in the Melody Maker readers poll for 1959 in the Big Bands section...

During the 1960s a number of big bands began to appear on the London jazz scene. They were mostly rehearsal bands assembled for specific gigs rather than permanent touring bands. The BBC recorded a number of them for "Jazz Club" broadcasts and these details, some of which are included here, are a good guide as to who played in them. Tom Davis' Tubby Hayes discography was the main source for the discographical details below, so Tubby therefore, appears in most of the personnels. Very few titles from these BBC programmes have ever been issued on record or CD.

The Downbeat Big Band - November 14th, 1959
Bobby Pratt, Les Condon, Hank Shaw, Eddie Blair (tp), Hank Stampf (tb,bs-tp), Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Johnny Scott (ts), Jack Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Phil Seamen (d).
Along Came Betty*/The Scene Is Clean*/East Of The Sun*/Southern Horizons*/Blues At The Manor*/Confirmation*/"E"*.
("Acrobat CD - Blues At The Manor 1959-60 Tubby Hayes and the Downbeat Big Band)

The Downbeat Big Band - September 1st, 1960 (BBC Jazz Club)
Bobby Pratt, Les Condon, Jimmy Deuchar, Eddie Blair (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott (ts), Jack Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Victor Feldman (d).
AH Bah Chu*/East Of The Sun*/Confirmation*/Like Someone In Love*/Une Momentum*/Southern Horizons*/Sister Sadie*.
("Acrobat CD - Blues At The Manor 1959-60 Tubby Hayes and the Downbeat Big Band)

Harry South Orchestra - November 10th, 1960 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast, Paris Cinema, London, 22:40-23:30. Alan Dell compere)
Jimmy Deuchar (tp, comp), Derrick Abbott, Ian Hamer, Bert Courtley (tp), Keith Christie, Lad Busby, Ken Wray, Ray Premru (tb), Alan Branscombe, Joe Harriott (as), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Harry South (p, comp, arr, dir), Phil Bates (b), Jackie Dougan (d).
Southern Horizons/Coolin' Off/Sophisticated Lady*/I Want To Be Happy/All The Things You Are/ The Goblin*/Save Your Love For Me/Tam O'Shanter.
(*released on IAJRC LP 50 entitled England's Late Jazz Great), also on:
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

The Jimmy Deuchar Big Band - February 16th, 1961 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast. Programme introduced by Alan Dell)
Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Ronnie Ross (as, bs), Tubby Hayes (ts, fl, vib), Ronnie Scott (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Kenny Napper (b), Bobby Orr (d), Cleo Laine (vocal*).
Woodyn' You/Heather Mist/Sumphin'/Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea*/My Vocation Is You*/Stable Mates/Pal Jimmy/First Eleven/Lonely Woman Blues*/Stella By Starlight/0723.

Tubby Hayes Orchestra - June 8th, 1961 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast. Programme introduced by Alan Dell)
Bobby Pratt, Stan Roderick, Eddie Blair, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Don Lusher, Jimmy Wilson, Keith Christie, Ken Goldie (tb), Ron Snyder (tuba), Roy Willox, Manny Winters (fl), Bob Burns (cl), Alby Johnson (oboe), Tubby Hayes (ts,arr), Dave Goldberg (g), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Love Walked In/Cherokee/The Folks Who Live On The Hill/S'posin'/Big P/Tubbsville (7:13)/The Thrill Is Gone (4:44)/Suite For Woodwinds and Brass (11:10)

Tubby Hayes Big Band - BBC broadcast December 13th, 1961 (IAJRC50)
Personnel includes: Jimmy Deuchar, Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wray (tb), Bobby Wellins, Tubby Hayes, Bob Efford, Ronnie Ross (reeds), Allan Siville (frh), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Bill Eyden (d).
Souriya*.
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - April 20th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana TL5221)
Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mel), Ian Hamer, Bert Courtley (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Jackie Sharpe (bs,cl), Alan Branscombe (as,bs, b-cl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib,timp), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts,cl), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d).
In The Night*/The Scandinavian*/Pedro's Walk*/Raga*.
(*Impressed Repressed CD - Tubbs Tours)

April 24th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana TL5221)
Les Condon (tp), Ronnie Ross (as,bs,b-cl) replace Bert Courtley and Alan Branscombe.
Israel Nights*/Russian Roulette*/Parisian Thoroughfare*/The Killers Of W.1*/Sasa-hivi*.
(*Impressed Repressed CD - Tubbs Tours)

The Harry South Big Band - May 6th, 1964 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton)
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon (tp), Jimmie Deuchar (tp,mell), Bobby Lamb, Keith Christie, Johnny Marshall (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Alan Branscombe (as), Roy Willox (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Dick Morrissey (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Terry Shannon (p), Phil Bates (b), Bill Eyden (d), Johnny Grant (vocal*), Harry South (arr/cond).
Sound Of Seventeen/Day In, Day Out*/Alone Together/Raga/Willow Weep for Me*/Save Your Love For Me/The Goblin/Time Will Tell*/Closing Time.

The Tubby Hayes Orchestra - June 20th, 1964 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton)
Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mell), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Ronnie Ross, Peter King, Bobby Wellins, Jackie Sharpe (saxes), Terry Shannon (p), Freddy Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d).
All At Once/A Summer Stroll/Parisian Thorofare/K And J/I Remember Clifford*/Take Your Partners For The Blues/The Scandinavian (inc.)/Pedro's Walk/Mini Minor. (* by Hayes, Shannon, Logan and Ganley only)

Tubby Hayes Big Band - probably January 31st, 1965 (BBC TV-Cast live from the Marquee Club, London *IAJRC50)
Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wray (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts), Ronnie Ross, Jackie Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Parisian Thoroughfare*/Young And Foolish*.
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

The Tubby Hayes Big Band - May 17th, 1965 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast with unknown announcer)
Ian Hamer, Les Condon, Jimmie Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib,tymp), Ronnie Ross, Peter King, Bobby Wellins, Jackie Sharpe (saxes), Terry Shannon (p), Freddy Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Mini Minor/Russian Roulette/Blues For Bloody Morag/Goodbye/Don't Fall Off The Bridge/In The Night/Portrait Of Elvin.

Peter Comton Big Band - September 30th, 1965 (Sound of eleven - 77LEU12/14)
John Burnett, Dave Mowatt, Ian Fenby (tp), Mike Carroll (tb), Peter Ward (as,ts), Ray Warleigh (as-1), Keith Thomas, Art Theman (ts), Peter Comton (bs), Colin Parnell (p), Peter Hughes (b), Chuck Smith (d).
C Jam Blues*/Da Capo*/By Request (1)*/Clea*/Djinn (1)*/Sound Of Eleven*/Over The Rainbow (1)*/Mountolive And Balthazar (1)*/Nessim (unissued)/Tonk (unissued)/The Hard School (unissued) .
(*Progressive CD - Pete Comton Big Band/Pat Hawes)

Harry Francis remembers: "There were three important orchestras - those of Tubby Hayes, Tony Russell and Harry South, which took part in the 1965, and last, Jazz Jamboree. There was some swapping of important personnel between them which would have made it impossible for the three orchestras to maintain their personnels and appear at three separate but simultaneously presented concerts in the unlikely event of three promoters deciding to enter into such competition! Hayes’ Commonwealth Jazz Orchestra comprised Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon and Kenny Wheeler (trumpets), Keith Christie, Johnny Marshall, Nat Peck and Gib Wallace (trombones), Alfie Reece (tuba), Bob Burns, Ray Swinfield, Ronnie Ross, Ronnie Scott, Art Ellefson and Tubby himself (saxophones), Stan Tracey (piano), Freddy Logan (bass) and Ronnie Stephenson (drums). Bowen, however, also performed with the other two orchestras. Hamer, Condon, Christie, Marshall, Scott and Hayes also performed with the South orchestra, and Wheeler, Peck and Swinfield performed with the Russell orchestra.
Leon Calvert led the Russell orchestra on first trumpet. In addition to him, Bowen, Wheeler and Peck, the trumpet section included Gordon Rose. Chris Smith, Rick Kennedy, Chris Pyne and Jack Thirwell were on trombones. On reeds, in addition to Swinfield, were Alan Beever, Vic Ash, Stan Robinson and Alex Leslie. There was no pianist, the rhythm being provided by George Kish (guitar), Ron Mathewson (bass) and Tony Kinsey (drums). There were also four ‘cellists.
The South brass section, in addition to Hamer, Bowen, Condon, Christie and Marshall from the Hayes orchestra, also included Ian Carr from the Neil Ardley Orchestra, and Smith from the Russell ensemble, the remaining brass player being Ken Goldie on trombone. In the reed section, in addition to Hayes and Scott, were Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe, Dick Morrissey and Joe Temperley. The pianist was Gordon Beck, the bassist Phil Bates and the drummer Phil Seamen."

The title below, recorded for a BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast, was taped on November 7th 1965 and broadcast on December 26th 1965. Recorded at the 27th annual "Jazz Jamboree" concert held at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in aid of the Musicians Social And Benevolent Council. Introduced By Humphrey Lyttelton And Tommy Trinder...
The Harry South Big Band - November 7th, 1965
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Ian Carr (tp), Keith Christie, Chris Smith, Johnny Marshall, Ken Goldie (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Alan Branscombe (as), Roy Willox (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Hayes (ts), Dick Morrissey (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), Harry South (arr/cond).
Last Orders

The title below, recorded for a BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast, was taped on November 7th 1965 and broadcast on December 26th 1965. Recorded at the 27th annual "Jazz Jamboree" concert held at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in aid of the Musicians Social And Benevolent Council. Introduced By Humphrey Lyttelton and Tubby Hayes...
Tubby Hayes And The Commonwealth Big Band - November 7th, 1965
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, Johnny Marshall, Nat Peck, Chris Smith (tb), Ron Snyder (tu), Tubby Hayes (ts), Ray Swinfield, Ray Warleigh (as); Ronnie Scott, Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Freddy Logan (b), Johnny Butts (d).
100% Proof

The Harry South Big Band - November 8th, 1965 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast)
Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Bert Ezzard, Hank Shaw (tp), Ian Carr (tp,flh), Keith Christie, Chris Smith, Johnny Marshall (tb), Ken Wray (vtb), Alan Branscombe, Roy Willox (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Joe Temperley (bs),Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), Georgie Fame (vocal*).
There And Back/Save Your Love For Me/Costa Fortuna/Afterthought/Six To One Bar/Lush Life/North Of The Soho Border/Down For The Count*/Lil' Darlin'*/Little Pony*/Raga/Last Orders (Inc.)

The titles below were recorded for a BBC radio broadcast "Jazz Goes to College" from the Queen Mary College, London, England. They were not broadcast until December 29th, 1966)...
Tubby Hayes Big Band - May 11th, 1966
Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Baker, Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Nat Peck, Chris Smith, Johnny Marshall (tb), Ray Warleigh, Roy Willox (as), Ronnie Scott, Bob Efford (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,vib,fl,arr), Ronnie Ross (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d).
Commonwealth Blues/Seven Steps To Heaven (arr TH)/Bluesology (arr TH)/A Night In Tunisia/Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most/Milestones (arr TH)/Commonwealth Blues.

The New Tubby Hayes Big Band - April 23rd, 1969 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Tony Fisher (tp), Kenny Wheeler (tp,flh), Keith Christie, Chris Pyne, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
The Inner Splurge/Song For A Sad Lady/Dear Johnny B./You Know I Care/Rumpus.

The date below was intended for issue as TAM CD TS 233, but was never issued...
Tubby Hayes Big Band - May 8th, 1969 (Recorded at The Torrington Pub, Finchley, London)
Probable personnel as April 23rd, 1969.
Dear Johnny B./Song for a Sad Lady/Seven Steps to Heaven/You Know I Care/March Brown/Blues for Pipkins (wrongly entitled 'Tubby's Theme')/Second City Steamer (wrongly entitled 'Rumpus')/The Inner Splurge.

The New Tubby Hayes Big Band - July 2nd, 1969 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton - taped 2.7.69, broadcast 12.7.69)
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Alan Branscombe (as, p-1), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b,el-b), Spike Wells (d).
March Brown/Seven Steps to Heaven(1)/Rumpus.

All tracks on Master Mix CD CHECD 00105, Tubby Hayes - 200% Proof. Taken from BBC "Jazz Workshop" programme...
Tubby Hayes Orchestra - July 25th, 1969 (BBC) Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler, Les Condon (tp), Chris Pyne, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King, Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
The Inner Splurge/Octuple Blast/Conversations at Dawn (sextet only)/Members Only (quartet only)/200% Proof.

Tubby Hayes Big Band - August 24th, 1969 (BBC broadcast live at Ronnie Scott's Club)
Correct personnel which differs to other sources: Hank Shaw (tp/flh), Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler (tb), Jim Wilson (btb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Alan Skidmore, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
Blues for Pipkins/The Inner Splurge/A Song for a Sad Lady*/You Know I Care*/Dear Johnny B.
(*released on IAJRC LP 50 entitled England's Late Jazz Great), also on:
(*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

The Tubby Hayes Big Band - October 1st,1969 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton, taped October 1st 1969, broadcast on October 18th 1969)
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as) Tubby Hayes, Alan Skidmore, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
Mainly for The Don/Blues for Pipkins/Dear Johnny B./You Know I Care/The Other Mans Grass Is Always Greener.

Tubby Hayes Big Band - Probably October 26th, 1969 (Recorded live at The Torrington Pub, Finchley, London.)
Kenny Wheeler (tp, flh), Stuart Horler possibly Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Ian Hamer (tp), either Keith Christie or Chris Pyne (tb), David Horler (tb), Bill Geldard (btb), Peter King (as), possibly Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Alan Skidmore (ts), Brian Smith (ts, fl), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). (This set contains several announcements by Tubby, confirming the presence of Horler, King, Skidmore, Stewart, Wheeler, Pyne, Matthewson and Wells).
Mainly for the Don*/The Other Man's Grass is Always Green*/A Song for a Sad Lady*100% Proof*/Dear Johnny B. (inc.)
("Jasmine CD - Tubby Hayes - Blue Hayes, The Tempo Anthology)

Although billed as The Tubby Hayes Big Band, Hayes was taken ill prior to this session and Harry South stepped in to conduct the band. All Tubby's tenor solos were taken by Alan Skidmore, Hayes is not on this session...
The Tubby Hayes Big Band - November 9th, 1970 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton, taped on November 9th 1970 and broadcast on November 29th 1970
Ian Hamer, Alan Downey, Les Condon (tp), Hank Shaw (tp,flh), Chris Pyne, David Horler, Maurice Pratt (tb), Peter King (as), Alan Skidmore, Brian Smith (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Bill Eyden (d), Harry South (conductor).
The Inner Splurge/Fish Soup/Round Midnight*/Seven Steps To Heaven/Young And Foolish/Blues for Pipkins. (*King, Pyne, Matthewson and Eyden only).

Bobby Lamb/Ray Premru Orchestra - March 7th, 1971 (Live at Ronnie Scott's - BBC REC116)
Gus Galbraith, Tony Fisher, Derek Healey, Ronnie Hughes, Kenny Wheeler (tp,fl-horn), Cliff Hardie, Chris Payne, David Horler, Jack Thirwell, Bobby Lamb, Ray Premru (tb), John Jenkins (tu), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Alan Branscombe (as,cl), Jimmy Philip, Tony Roberts (as,fl), Ken Dryden (bs,fl), Nick Busch, Colin Horton, John Jpigneguy, Tony Lucas (hrn), Steve Gray (p), Arthur Watts (b), Kenny Clare (d), John Dean (perc).
The Great White Whale/Soliloquy/Round And Round And Round/Roots/A Winter's Tale/Cuchulainn.

This was Tubby's last BBC "Jazz Club" appearance leading his own group...
The Tubby Hayes Big Band - March 5th, 1973 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton, taped on March 5th 1973, broadcast on March 24th 1973)
Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Leon Calvert (tp), Kenny Wheeler (tp,flh), Cliff Hardie, Chris Pyne, Geoff Perkins (tb), Ray Warleigh, Ronnie Scott, Brian Smith, Bunny Gould (saxes and woodwind), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Alan Branscombe (as,el-p,perc), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b,el-b), Spike Wells (d).
She Insulted Me In Marrakesh/Solweig/Basin Street Blues/Sienna Red.


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