Phoenix Jazz Band -"Dusty Rag"

In the early 1950's London's traditional Jazz scene was very much affected by the Crane River Jazz Band, an amateur group which played in the then very popular N.O. Revival style. When certain members wanted to "go more professional" there was a split-up. One outcome was the formation of the Chris Barber Band. The members wanting to stay 'amateur' included Ray Orpwood (tbn.) who joined with other enthusiastic amateurs to form the Phoenix Jazz Band. This is the earliest recording of theirs I can find. It was recorded in "The White Hart" (a pub in Acton, London) in early 1954. The line-up is Vic Roberts tpt. Geoff Kemp clt. Ray Orpwood tmb. Phil Dearle pno. Len Page bjo. Don Smith bss. and Arthur Fryatt dms. The photograph shows, L to R, Geoff, Arthur, Vic, Don, Ray and Phil. and was taken circa 1953. The recording, of course, suffers from the limited technology available to amateurs in those days, but I hope it will be of interest to some others of my generation!

Channel: Music
Uploaded: September 19, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Author: MoleDFigg

Length: 03:00
Rating: 4.22
Views: 1676

Tags: Jazz  NewOrleans  Revival  

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