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| Vic Lewis (from 1949)... |
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Band leader Vic Lewis had an incredible recording career and a list of the jazz musicians he employed or recorded with reads like a who's who of British jazz stars plus a number of top Americans. He recorded in a variety of styles with a wide range of types of band or groups. The picture on the left is from 1954 and shows a young Tubby Hayes on tenor sax. |
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The tracks following were from a BBC Light Programme broadcast "Design for Dancing" Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 7th, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3014) Johnny Shakespeare, Bunny Layzell, Hank Shaw, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Jack Waters, Stan Smith (poss), (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Vince Bovill (poss) (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Rhythm Incorporated/Interlude. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 25th, 1949 (Parlophone) Johnny Shakespeare, Bunny Layzell, Hank Shaw, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Jack Waters, Stan Smith, (tb), Peter Howe, Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Vince Bovill (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Honeyman (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir) + percussion. West Indian Ritual/Sunday Girl/High On A Windy Hill/No Orchids. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - June, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3014, recorded in Hamburg) Micky Meene, Norman McCaskill, Johnny Oldfield, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Stan Smith, Mac Minshull (tb), Peter Howe, Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Vince Bovill (ts), Jack Phillips (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Honeyman (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Harlem Holiday. (Fourteen other titles recorded have not been issued). June, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3014/DJM*, concert Garrison Theatre, Hamburg) Personnel as above. Elegy For Alto*/I Told Ya I Love Ya/Collaboration/Metronome Riff. (Eight other titles recorded have not been issued). Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - September, 1949 (probably from BBC broadcasts) Big band probably including Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Kathy Stobart (ts), Dill Jones (p), Pete Rugolo (arr), Vic Lewis (dir). Safranski/You Was (vocal)/Inspiration*/Harem Holiday/Heir To A Chinese Maiden*. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - November 3rd, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3013) Micky Meene, Harry Finch, Paul Berman, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Stan Smith, Tony Russell (tb), Peter Howe, Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart (ts,vcl), Vince Bovill (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Arthur Greenslade (p), Alan McDonald (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Don't Smoke In Bed (vcl KS). In late 1949 Lewis enlarged the orchestra to nineteen pieces along the lines of Stan Kenton's powerhouse band. The billing now became "The Vic Lewis Music for Moderns Orchestra". the orchestra had a contract with EMI who released their records on the Parlophone label. The recordings created considerable interest because of their pioneering use of echo, which as Vic explained in his book, was produced by very primitive methods. The orchestra contained many of the top British jazz musicians of the period and the music it played was very advanced, particularly for the tastes of the BBC. Although the orchestra's first broadcast, on February 16th, 1950 (BBC Radio 3), was well received by the jazz public, Lewis was told in no uncertain terms by the head of BBC Light Music, that if he played any more like that he would be taken off the air. Lewis however, was in defiant mood - "I wouldn't want that to happen. However, if we don't go on the air we can't be taken off. Let me put it another way: stuff the BBC!" It was almost another year before Lewis got another broadcast. The Kenton style was now established and the band played a high proportion of arrangements by the Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo. Vic Lewis and his Modern Concert Orchestra - January 31st, 1950 (probably from BBC broadcasts) Micky Meene, Harry Finch, Paul Berman, Harold Luff, Dennis Shirley (tp), Don Lang, Stan Smith, Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey, Johnny Keating (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain, Pete Howe (cl,as,sop), Vince Bovil, Bob Efford (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Arthur Greenslade (p), Alan McDonald (b), Peter Coleman (d), Ken Thorne, Pete Rugolo (arr), Vic Lewis (dir). Hammersmith Riff*/Pepperpot*/The Man I Love*/Music For Moderns*/Concerto To End All Concertos*. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) February 16th, 1950 (BBC broadcast) Personnel as January 31st. Where Are You*. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) April 24th, 1950 (Parlophone) Personnel as January 31st except add Ken Goldie (tb), Jacqueline Jennings (voc). I'll Remember April (vocal JJ)*/Design for Brass*/Theme For Alto*/Theme For Trombone*. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) May 26th, 1950 (Parlophone) Personnel as April 24th. Over The Rainbow (vocal JJ)*/Serenade In Blue*/A Hundred Years From Today (vocal VL)*/Love For Sale*. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) The sheer size of the Kenton style orchestra led to it's demise and Lewis re-formed with a smaller band.In 1951 he began recording for Esquire as 'Vic Lewis and his Orchestra'. Some of these titles were issued with the Esquire 5 prefix* to the number, (i.e. not really jazz), and none have been re-issued. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - February 27th, 1951 (Esquire) Ronnie Simmonds, Stan Reynolds, Dave Usden, Terry Lewis (tp), Johnny Keating, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Scott, Pete Warner (ts), Jimmy Simmonds (bs), Arthur Greenslade (p), Alan McDonald (b), Peter Coleman (d), Marion Williams (vcl), Vic Lewis (dir,vcl). You Go To My Head* (vcl MW)/Deed I Do* (vclMW)/Just One Of Those Things* (vcl MW)/Rhapsody In Blue* (parts 1&2)/Thinking Of You*/Solitaire/Lemon Drop (two takes - vcl VL,MW). Some of these titles were issued with the Esquire 5 prefix* to the number, (i.e. not really jazz), and none have been re-issued. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - May 7th, 1951 (Esquire) Ronnie Simmonds, Stan Reynolds, Bert Courtley, Terry Lewis (tp), Johnny Keating, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Derek Humble (cl,as), Kathy Stobart (ts,vcl), Pete Warner (ts), Jimmy Simmonds (bs), Arthur Greenslade (p), Pete Blannin (b), Peter Coleman (d), Marion Williams (vcl), Vic Lewis (dir,vcl). Vic's Riff/Everywhere/Be My Love*/The Apple/Festival riff/The Moon Was Yellow/Foggy Day/Tea For Two* (vcl MW, JK + rhythm section only). By 1952 it was 'Vic Lewis and his New Music', an eight piece band with Bert Courtley, Ronnie Chamberlain and Kathy Stobart with Johnny Dankworth contributing arrangements. They cut four sides that were very different to anything recorded before. The music was cool, based on the Miles Davis sound of the time and were included in the Esquire "bebop IN BRITAIN' collection... Vic Lewis and his New Music - March 26th, 1952 (Esquire) Bert Courtley (tp), Tommy Smith (frh), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,sops), Kathy Stobart (ts), Jimmy Simmonds (bs), Clive Chaplin (p), Martin Gilboys (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Why Do I Love You*/JD to VL*/Street Scene*/Heru*. (*Charly/Esquire 4 CD box set - bebop IN BRITAIN - issued in 1991 currently only available second hand...) Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 5th, 1954 (BBC Light Programme transcription) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Colin Wright (tp), John Watson, Jack Botterill, Laurie Franklin (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain, Bernard Allen (as), Les Wigfield, Tubby Hayes (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Bark For Barksdale*. (*Acrobat CD - Tubby Hayes - Without A Song (Rare Live recordings 1954-73) Vic Lewis did not record again until 1954 when he recorded an LP for Decca entitled 'Mulligan's Music' featuring the compositions of Gerry Mulligan. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 13th/14th, 1954 (Decca LF1157) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Les Condon, Colin Wright (tp), Laddy Busby, John Watson, Jack Botterill, Laurie Franklin (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Les Wigfield (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,bs), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Bweebida Bobbida*/Nights At The Turntable*/Sextet*/Limelight*/Walkin' Shoes*/Line For Lyons*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) January 20th, 1954 (Decca LF1157) Personnel as January 13th/14th except add Stan Roderick (tp-1) and George Chisholm (tb-1). Westwood Walk*/Bark For Barksdale*/Happy Hornblowers(1) . (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) A few days later the band was recorded 'live' in Sheffield, some tracks appearing on the 'Hep' label entitled 'In concert', There was a staggering list of arrangers including Shorty Rogers, Bill Russo, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Holman, Pete Rugolo, Johnny Keating and Dave Lindup. The LP provided the first serious record exposure for Tubby Hayes, still only eighteen at the time of the recording, and he is heavily featured including a marvellous six minute tour-de-force in a quartet setting. The tracks listed are those appearing on the 'Hep' disc Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 23rd, 1954 (Hep 20) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Dave Power, Colin Wright (tp), Laurie Franklin, John Watson, Jack Botterill, Alec Gould (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Les Wigfield (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,bs), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Bill's Blues*/Harlem Nocturne/Jolly Rogers/Moonlight In Vermont/Too Marvellous For Words* (Tubby Hayes + rhythm only)/Bweebida Bobbida*/Peanut Vendor*/Feerless Fosdick/Sextet*/Jump For Joe/The Creep*/Walkin' Shoes*/Limelight*/ Bark For Barksdale*/Intermission Riff*. (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) The following were recorded from a BBC Broadcast for the Overseas Service Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - April 27th, 1954 (Harlequin HQ3014) Les Condon, Ronnie Baker, Dave Loban, Colin Wright (tp), Brian Perrin, Jack Botterill, John Watson, Alec Gould (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Jack Fisher, Norman Hunt (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Billy's Blues/Fearless Fosdike/Sweets/You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To. The following two dates were recorded from a BBC Light Programme broadcast... Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - July 30th, 1954 (BBC) Johnny Brown, Ronnie Baker, Dave Loban, Johnny Harris (tp), Bobby Lamb, Johnny Watson, Alec Gould, Rusty Hurran (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Kathy Stobart , Terry Fahey (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Pete Moore (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Strictly For Kix. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - November 9th, 1954 (BBC) Johnny Brown, Ronnie Baker, Dave Loban, Trevor Lannigan (tp), Johnny Watson, Alec Gould, Rusty Hurran (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Brian Gray, Johnny Marshall (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Dave Willis (b), Dave Rogers (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Later George. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - November 18th, 1954 (Esquire) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Johnny Brown, Trevor Lannigan (tp), John Watson, Alec Gould, Rusty Hurran (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Brian Gray, Howard Morgan (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Stan Wasser (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Begin The Beguine/The Opener/Short Stop/Arual. By now the Lewis band had strong links with Stan Kenton and were using arrangements by Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, Gerry Mulligan and others usually with an association with the Stan Kenton band. Another LP for Decca entitled 'Progressive Jazz at the Royal Festival' was recorded live, again with arrangements by Rogers, Holman and Mulligan. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 9th, 1955 (Decca LF1216) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Johnny Brown, Trevor Lannigan (tp), John Watson, Rusty Hurren, Andy Wilson, Alec Gould (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Brian Gray, Howard Morgan (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Len Edwards (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Swinghouse*#/Chino*/Star Eyes*/Coup de Graas*/Duo*/Bark For Barksdale*/Dancing In The Dark*/Short Stop*/Peanut Vendor*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - February 2nd, 1955 (Philips) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Johnny Brown, Trevor Lannigan, Gordon Sardella (tp), John Watson, Rusty Hurren, Andy Wilson, Alec Gould, Laddy Busby, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Brian Gray, Howard Morgan (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Len Edwards (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Don't Say Goodbye/Barwick Green/Slowly But Surely/Cherry Ripe. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - February 2nd, 1955 (Philips) Dave Loban, Gordon Sardella, Ian Hamer, Carl Shafto (tp), John Watson, Alec Gould, Kevin Neal, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain, Roy East (as), Art Ellefson, Howard Morgan (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Ken Williams (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). The Ash Grove/Strawberry Fair/Walk Don't Run/Scramble. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - September 26th, 1956 (Decca) Dave Loban, Dickie McPherson, Ray Hutchinson, Ray Martin (tp), John Watson, Alec Gould (tb), Fred Crossman (fhr), Colin Bradfield, Alan Ross (as), Art Ellefson, Ray Webb (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), John Clarke (p), Ken Williams (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Intermission Rock*/Intermission Rock (long version)*/Natal*/Natal (long version)*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) The following title was recorded from a BBC Light Programme broadcast.... Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - December 12th, 1957 (BBC) Joe McIntyre, Dickie McPherson (tp), Alec Gould (tb), Colin Bradfield (as), Bobby Wellins (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Gerry Butler (p), Bill Stark (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Blues For Lorraine. In 1958 Vic Lewis toured the USA and the following titles were recorded at a concert at the University of Connecticut and were lated issued by DJM... Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - March 12th, 1958 (DJM) Joe McIntyre, Dickie McPherson, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Al Spooner, Alec Gould (tb), Colin Bradfield, Ronnie Baker (as), Bobby Wellins, Duncan Lamont (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Gerry Butler (p), Bill Stark (b), Bobby Orr (d), Vic Lewis (dir). That's Love/Over The Rainbow/El Congo Valiente. In 1959 a nine piece group titled 'Vic Lewis and His Group' recorded one side of an LP under the title 'Leonard Feather presents...Jazz from two sides' for the Concept label, presumably for the American market.  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(Picture supplied by Richard Hazlewood) Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Roy East (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Dave Pearson (d), Vic Lewis (dir). I Never Knew A Love Like This/Salt Peanuts/Mound Bayou/Little Girl/Pennsylvania Turnpike*/Stanhope Place*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis & His Big Band - Tea Break, Back Again & Jazz From Two Sides) An LP under the title 'Big Band Explosion' was recorded for the Ember label. It was a studio recording with applause dubbed in and not a live recording from the Beaulie Jazz Festival as stated in the liner notes. All titles in The Beaulie Suite were arranged by Tony Crombie. The Springbok And American Suite was arranged by Alec Gould Vic Lewis and his All Stars - June, 1959 (Ember CJS807) Dickie McPherson, Jimmy Deuchar, Leon Calvert, Gordon Turnbill (Kenny Wheeler-1) (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Roy East (as), Vic Ash (cl,ts) Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d), Vic Lewis (dir). The Beaulie Suite (Beaulie Blues* - Lady Belinda - Motor Museum - Domus* - Monty) / Selections From The Springbok And American Suite (Gold Dust (1) - Dobbs Ferry - The Jacoranda Tree - Beau Kai - The Forest). (*Fantastic Voyage 2 CD set - Ember Jazz - The Flamingo Connection) These titles were recorded at a concert in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA... Vic Lewis and his All Stars - April 10th, 1960 (DJM) Dickie McPherson, Jimmy Deuchar, Leon Calvert, Gordon Turnbill (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Roy East (as,fl), Vic Ash (cl,ts) Art Ellefson (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Ray Dempsey (g), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Port Of Spain/Little Darlin'. Vic Lewis disbanded for good in 1960, the 1950s had seen a steady decline in work opportunities and the big band era was now in it's death throes. Lewis switched careers and concentrated on a new career as an agent and signed up a string of top names including Dudley Moore, Judy Garland and Paul Robeson. He brought many top names to the UK including Abbey Lincoln and Dinah Washington. British stars he worked with included Cilla Black, The Beatles and Elton John. He made a few records with bands assembled for record dates only and in 1962 he recorded with musicians from the Ted Heath Orchestra playing four Nelson Riddle arrangements. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - July 9th, 1962 (Columbia SEG8202) Bert Ezzard, Bert Courtley, Eddie Blair, Duncan Campbell (tp), John Edwards, Keith Christie, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain, Johnny Scott (as), Bob Efford, Henry Mackenzie (ts), Ken Kiddier (bs), Derek Warne (p), Dave Goldberg (g), John Hawkesworth (b), Jack Parnell (d), Vic Lewis (ldr). Basic Riddle/Bass Is Loaded/Sax Blue/Town Talk. By 1963 little UK jazz music was being recorded, Lewis always ready to change recorded an LP for HMV as 'Vic Lewis and his Bossa Nova Allstars'. Half the tracks were recorded in the west coast of the USA, including Victor Feldman, and half in London. The details of the London recordings are shown below... Vic Lewis and his Bossa Nova Stars - February 8th, 1963 (part HMVCLP1641) Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mel), Shake Keane (tp,flhrn), Tubby Hayes (ts,f), Ronnie Scott (ts), Terry Shannon (p), Ray Dempsey (g), Freddy Logan (b), Kenny Clare (d), Vic Lewis (ldr). Vic's Tune*Ricardo*/Danielle*/Last Minute Bossa Nova*. (*EMI CD - Vic Lewis plays Bossa Nova at Home (London) and Away (Hollywood) Vic Lewis did not record again as leader until 1967 and from then until 1969 made a number of records of an orchestral nature although a number of jazz musicians did appear amongst the strings and woodwind. He did not record again with a conventional big band until 1984, when he recorded with a band that featured Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank. The resulting LP also included tracks by the Shorty Rogers/Bud Shank Quintet... Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - May 8th, 1984 (Back Again - Concept VL1) Simon Gardner, Mike O'Gorman, Steve Sidwell, Dave Plews, Paul Spong (tp), Faez Virgi, Neil Sidwell, Richard Edwards, Nick Gallant (tb), Jane Hanna (frh), Ronnie Chamberlain, Cliff Tracey (as,fl), Dave Bishop (ts,f), Jamie Talbot (ts,f,bs) Bob McKay (bs,b-cl), John Critchenson (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Kenny Clare (d), Vic Lewis (ldr) + Shorty Rogers (flhrn-1) and Bud Shank (as-2,f -2). Shorty*(1)/Deep Roots*(2)/Down Home*(2)/Evolving*(2)/Full Circle*(2)/Back Again* (this is a quintet title featuring Rogers, Shank, Vic Lewis (p), Mathewson and Clare). (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis & His Big Band - Tea Break, Back Again & Jazz From Two Sides) Vic Lewis + BBC Radio Band + guest soloists - September 12th, 1985 (Tea Break - Concept VL3) Nigel Carter, Brian Rankine, Paul Eshelby, Bill Turner (tp), Jiggs Whigham, Colin Sheen, Gordon Campbell, Eddie Lorkin, Andrew Fawbert (tb), Peter King (as), Bud Shank (as,f), Barry Robinson, Gordon Keates, Peter Warner, Nigel Nash, Derek Hyams (reeds), Andrew Finter (p), Len Walker, Graham Atha (g), Roy Babbington (b), Ronnie Verrall (d), John Chambers (perc), Vic Lewis (ldr). Intermission Riff/Lover Man*/Apple Piety*/Conversation*/Triple Threat*/Sunday Girl*/The Loneliest Monk*/Go Litely*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis & His Big Band - Tea Break, Back Again & Jazz From Two Sides) From 1989 to 1994 Vic Lewis recorded five albums in California, USA with the Vic Lewis West Coast All Stars. No British musicians took part in any of these recordings... |
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