[ Chappie D'Amato Band ]
Currently no information available, but known to have appeared in some British films including the 1944 'Round Rainbow Corner' film.

      [ Evelyn Dall Orch. ]
May have appeared with her band in a 1937 British film.

      [ Al Davison's Band ]
Currently no information available, but known to have appeared in some British films including the 1932 pix 'The New Hotel'

      [ Marcel de Haes and his Band ]
Currently no information available, but known to have appeared in some British films including a 1934 film.

      [ Joe Daniel's Hot Shots ], (40's)
b. March 9th 1909, Transvaal, South Africa, d. July 1993, Middlesex England, UK.
He was still a child when Joe 's family emigrated to England. He began playing drums at age 11 years, while his older brother Len played Sax and accordion. Just 3 years later, at age 14, he was playing with Harry and Burton Lester's "Cowboy Syncopators. Like many before him and since Joe played at sea with Cunard's Liners, and he also found a seat with several bands- Al Kaplan, Billy Mason, Fred Elizalde and Sid Roy (brother of Harry Roy).

In 1926 he formed his own band which featured Max Goldberg, and later played with Goldberg's Criterion Dance Band which Joe took over as leader in Aug. 1926. In 1927 he again formed his own band an took it to Belfast, Northern Ireland for a residency there. Later in 1927 he joined Al. Tabors Band in Birmingham England where he stayed for a year.

In 1929, he had brief stints with Pete Mandell and Jim Kelleher before joining Billy Mason for 6 months. Joseph then signed with Harry Roy with whom he stayed for 7 years. It was during this time, when the "Hot Shots " were born, that Joe Daniels and The "Hot Shots" became a very popular 1930s recording band, and did many radio shows with the British Broadcasting Corporation ( B.B.C.). In 1937, he left Harry Roy to concentrate on the "Hot Shots". Here are the Hot Shots in 1937 playing "Runnin' Wild". And, here's a photo of Joe at the drums

In 1938 they toured Scandinavia. At the outbreak of war Daniels joined the Royal Air Force (R.A.F) where he organized a service band and produced shows for service personnel.

Ater the war he reorganized the "Hot Shots" and in 1946 took the on tours to Italy and Austria to entertain the troups. He went solo during 1947 and 1948 and toured the Middle East and in English music halls and theatres. In 1948 he again reorganized the "Hot Shots". In the mid-1950s, the band was at Butlins, Ayr, and the sidemen included:
Saxes: Ron Plummer, Bernie Stanton, Alan Jordan
Trumpets: Johnny Oldfield, Alan Wickham.
Trombone: Bob Pratt.
Piano: Austin Payne.
Bass: Johnny Oxley.
Drums: Bill Dean.
Vocals: Barbara Young, Mike Stephens.

When the British Big Band era ended in the 50's Joe bought and operated a Wimpey Bar Franchise ( A large British Burger Chain- pre Golden Arches)

He couldn't stay away from music however, and throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, he organized small groups and appeared in big bands. He also recorded as "Washboard Joe and the Scrubbers" and in many English holiday resorts and Holiday camps.

Joe Daniels suffered a stroke in the late 80's which finally ended his playing career and he died on 2nd. July 1993.
Thanks to Mr. Derrick Wilkinson for the above entry on Joe Daniels.

      [ Herman Darewski & his Melody Band ], (30's)
Herman was a song publisher who also managed to lead his own band for a few years. His band was booked into London's Winter Gardens Theater in the mid-1930s.

      [ Carroll Dickerson's Savoyagers ]
Violinist Carroll Dickerson led a band that at various times, included such well know New Orleans musicians as Louis Armstrong, Honore Dutrey, Natty Dominique, and Earl Hines. As can be deduced from the name, the band was resident at Chicago's Savoy Ballroom, but Dickerson also toured on the Pantages Vaudeville circuit and also recorded under the name of Carroll Dickerson's Savoy Orchestra.

One (1928) band (called the Savoy Orchestra) was composed of Earl Hines on Piano; Pete Briggs on Tuba; Mancy Carr on Banjo; Crawford Wethington on Alto Saxophone; Jimmy Strong on Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone; Bert Curry on Alto Saxophone; Louis Armstrong and Homer Hobson on Trumpets; with Fred Robinson on Trombone. Zutty Singleton did the Vocals while Carroll Dickerson was on Violin, and Conducted.

      [ Johnnny Dankworth Orch. ]
b. Sept. 20, 1927, London, England
Johnny is recognized as perhaps England's most prolific and dynamic bandleader. He entered the 'Royal Academy of Music' by the age of seventeen after showing an early proficiency on the clarinet. Early in his career, he worked on ship crossings for some time and, during his frequent New York stops, he absorbed as much live American jazz as he could. He studied saxophone to play modern jazz In 1950, he formed the 'Dankworth Seven', (John on alto and clarinet, consisted of Don Rendell (tenor), Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet), Eddie Harvey (trombone), Bill Le Sage (piano), Eric Dawson (bass) and Tony Kinsey (drums). The only singer was then Marion Williams. )

Famed trumpeter Ron Simmonds recalls seeing
       "....the Seven perform in the October of 1951, first at the Jamboree
       and then, a few days later, at a concert organised by the New Jazz
       Society and presented at Londons Kingsway Hall, which was perhaps my
       first opportunity for studying their work in some detail. By then
       Eddie Blair had taken over the trumpet chair, Eddie Taylor the drums,
       and Cleo Laine, the future Mrs. D, was astonishing everybody with her
       distinctive voice, great jazz style and natural musicianship. Another
       vocalist who had by then joined the band was Frank Holder, from Guyana,
       another fine stylist who also played bongos in many numbers.

In Nov. 1953 the 'Dankworth Big Band' (20 men) made it's debut at the Royal Albert Hall. At the 1954 Jamboree, the personnel, in addition to John and vocalists Cleo Laine, Frank Holder and Tony Mansell, included Don Pashley, Rex Morris, Maurice .Owen and Alex Leslie (reeds), Derrick Abbott, Bill Metcalf, Jimmy Venn and George Boocock (now known as bandleader George Bradley) (trumpets), Maurice Pratt, Keith Christie, Eddie Harvey and Bill Geldard (trombones), Derek Smith (piano), Eric Dawson (bass) and Allan Ganley (drums), - while just a couple of years later, South African Dave Lee was on piano and the drummer was Kenny Clare.

Dankworth was forever experimenting with new sounds and ideas, and over the years, other sidemen would appear in the band, including reedmen Danny Moss (tenor) and Alex Leslie (baritone), and trumpeters Derrick Abbott, Stan Palmer, Bob Carson, Dickie Hawdon, and Kenny Wheeler. Also Trombonists Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood and Ken Wray played in the band, while the rhythm section would see Joe Palin on piano, Eric Dawson on bass, Kenny Clair on drums, and Ron Snyder on tuba. Interestingly, Messrs Abbott, Dawson and Leslie had been members of the original Dankworth orchestra of around 1953/4; - Dawson of course, was a member of the Original Seven. On July 3, 1959, Dankworth appeared at America's Newport Jazz Festival.

In private correspondence, Mr. Peter Warner, Tenor Sax, with the Dankworth band has recalled the line-up of the 1955-'56 band.
Drums:     Kenny Clare and Alan Ganley
Bass:       Bill Sutcliff
Piano:      Derek Smith ( emigrated USA ) Dave Lee
1st Tpt:    Derek Abbot
2nd Tpt:    Bill Metcalf
3rd Tpt:    Stan Palmer
4th Tpt:    Colin Wright
1st Trom:    Bill Geldard
2nd Trom:   Harry Buckles
3rd Trom:   Garry Brown
4th Bass-Trom:  Danny Elwood
Front line.
Trom:      Laurie Monk
Tnr Sax:  Pete Warner
Tpt:         Dougie Roberts
Bari sax: Alex Leslie
Vocals:   Cleo Lane and Frank Holder

Trumpeter Mr. Ron Simmonds has also advised that Dankworth
       "was named 'Musician of the Year' by the Melody Maker Jazz Poll every year from
       1949 until 1955, the only jazz artist to ever achieve this level of recognition.
       In one of those years he won the poll in five different categories -- Musician
       of the year, Band, Alto sax, Composer and Arranger."

Here's a photo (source unknown) of the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra, as they appeared at London's Marquis Club in 1962. During 1962- 1963, the sidemen in the band included
Ron Simmonds, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Gus Galbraith (trumpets)
Tony Russell, Ed Harvey (trombones); Ron Snyder (tuba)
Roy East, Vic Ash, Art Ellefson, Danny Moss, Ronnie Ross (saxes)
Alan Branscombe (piano)
Kenny Napper (bass)
Ronnie Stephenson (drums)
and John Dankworth (leader, alto, arranger)

A large part of Dankworth's touring season is devoted to showcasing the talents of his wife, Cleo Laine, "The First Lady of Jazz". In addition to the band, Johnny Dankworth has composed scores for films and the musical theatre. He founded the London Symphony Orchestra's pops program and has served as the orchestra's Pops Musical Director. He served as Musical Director for the British visits of Nat "King" Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sophie Tucker and Oscar Peterson. John still tours world wide, and is already booked for appearances in the United States in 1999 and 2000.

A reader, Mr Ron Critchlow, in private eMail has noted that
       "Dankworth still operates a big band as part of the Wavendon, near Milton Keynes operation.
       This involves his own theatre holding over 500 people, a seven day per week programme often
       featuring himself, Cleo Lane, and many well known artists and musicians. Each year there is a
       garden festival in the grounds of their home. Also, 2005 saw the return of the 'Johnny Dankworth
       Seven', featuring some of the original musicians, including Frank Holder, Eddie Harvey, Alan Ganley
       (now -Dec. 2005- running one of the finest big bands in the U.K.), and Don Rendall. Eddie Blair was
       also present but not playing."
The Database thanks famed trumpeter Mr. Ron Simmonds for contributing these notes on Johnny Dankworth. The 1962-'63 Dankworth orchestra had Ron Simmonds, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Gus Galbraith (trumpets); Tony Russell, Ed Harvey (trombones); Ron Snyder (tuba); Roy East, Vic Ash, Art Ellefson, Danny Moss, Ronnie Ross (saxes) Alan Branscombe (piano); Kenny Napper (bass); Ronnie Stephenson (drums); John Dankworth (leader, alto, arranger)

      [ Ben Davis' Carlton Hotel Dance Band ]
May have been the first "dance band" on an English radio broadcast, May 24, 1923.

      [ Eric Delaney Band ]
Eric Delaney was born in London in 1924, and played to his first live audience at the age of six. In his early teens he was acclaimed as a "Drum Genius" taking command of the Royal Kiltie Junior Band and the Hughie Green Roadshow. By the time he was 16, he was voted Britain's Best Young Swing Drummer, and in 1941 at the age of 17, Eric joined George Shearing of the famous Ambrose Octet touring the variety theatres of that time.

From 1947 to 1954 Eric provided the rhythmic impulse for the Great Geraldo Orchestra, not only was he touring the country and playing in such venues as The Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Albert Hall but also provided the unmistakable sound for the session work and film soundtracks such as "Dance Hall", "Charlie's Aunt", "The Longest Day" etc.

In 1954 The Eric Delaney Orchestra was formed consisting of 5 trumpets, 3 tenors and 1 baritone saxophones, double bass and of course Eric on drums. (In private eMail, a reader, Mr. Ron Critchlow, has noted that Delany lost two fingers on one hand in a 1950s accident. However, this did not deter him from continuing with his recently formed band. Mr Critchlow also noted that Delany is still working (Dec. 2005), particularly in the Wigan area, -with the Wigan JazzClub- who promote the most important BigBand Jazz festival in the U.K. Many U.S.A. bands and artists appear regularly, such as the Woody Herman Band, Hamilton Band, singer Diana Krall, Arizona Big Band, and others.)

By 1955 The Eric Delaney Band was established and he was at the climax of his career. Eric was voted No.1 by the public in the musical media polls 8 times over, with such titles as Drummer of the Year, Musician of the Year and Band of the Year and various awards too abundant to mention.

The following year, Eric was commanded by the Royal Family to perform at the Royal Variety Performance. He subsequently appeared on two more occasions. Following the 1st Royal Performance he went on a demanding sequence of world tours. Meanwhile his recording career had taken off and he recorded his first hit record Oranges and Lemons for which he was awarded a Silver Record. He recorded 19 albums and 18 singles.

Eric is now 76 and still pulling large crowds, and was recently given the 'Freedom of the City of London' award. He tours the UK during the summer months and in winter travels to the warmer climate of the Costa Blanca where he wows the holidaymakers and residents with his amazing expertise and energy. He has recently played to packed houses at two concerts near to Benidorm.
The Big Bands Database thanks Mr. Frederick Carty for this information Eric Delaney.

      [ Sid Dean Orch. ]
b. June 4, 1907, England, UK, d. August 1, 1993, England, UK
Currently no information available. In the mid-1950s, this band was playing in the Brighton area with sidemen that included:
Saxes: Les Williams (also Arranger), Rufe Bernstein, Dennis Beard, Harry Strain, Johnny Nicholls
Trumpets: Johnny Woollaston (also Arranger), Ronnie Simms, Harry Bolton
Trombones: Billy Richards, Dennis Thorne
Piano: Frank Harlow (also Arranger)
Bass: Freddie Craig
Drums: Dennis Delaney
Vocals: Vickie Anderson, Billy Richards, Harry Bolton,
Staff Arrangers: Frank Harlow, Johnny Woollaston, Les Williams,

      [ Dinah Dee All Girl's Band ]
Currently no information available.
Please see our entry for the Gracie Coles (All Girl) Orchestra.

Here's a great photo of the Dinah Dee Band, performing on stage, and another shot of the band Performing On Stage in Hamburg, Germany. During this period, the band's drummer was Sheelagh Pearson, shown here with the rhythm section, guitarist and bassist, in a great action shot on stage.

Ms Pearson has recalled that while "members of Dinah Dee's - they did change now and again", bandmembers included:
        Dinah Dee,- Bandleader/Piano
        Miriam Wood,- Double Bass
        Sheelagh Pearson,- Drums
        Lynne Smith,- Baritone Sax
        Lillian Kemp,- Tenor Sax
        Betty Bailey,- Tenor Sax
        Ralda Croucher,- Alto Sax
        Maisie Langfield,- Alto Sax
        Maureen Mortimer,- Alto Sax
        Marilyn Carter,- Trumpet
        Marie Fawbert,- Trumpet
        Barbara Young,- Vocals

In private correspondence, Ms. Joan Hargreaves has recalled that: " I was one of the original members of the Dinah Dee Band and played Bari sax, Alto sax and Clarinet. Mary Lou Litchfield played first alto at the time. Before playing with Dinah I played alto/clari with the Royal Kiltie Junior band and am still playing (2006) in several groups in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. "