[ Arthur L. Ward Orch. ]
Currently no information available, but the band was seen in a British film, 'Off The Dole'.

     [ Tommy Watt Orch. ]
b. Glasgow, Scotland, UK, d. May 20, 2006, Bristol, England, UK.
né: Thomas Mitchell Watt
In 1942, he left Glasgow when he became the pianist in clarinettist Carl Barriteau's touring band, remaining with Barriteau until 1944 when he was called up into the RAF during World War II. While serving in the RAF, he met actor Brian Rix (and learned to fly Tiger Moths). On his discharge, he moved to London and freelanced in London's West End, playing with bands led by Ambrose,   Kathy Stobart,   Harry Roy,   and Ken Mackintosh   amongst others.

In 1955, he again met Brian Rix, then starring in the play 'Reluctant Heroes'. It was Rix, a Jazz fan, who arranged (and paid) for a demo disc recording session for Watt, which led to a contract with the BBC to make 36 lunchtime broadcasts with the singer Matt Munro. The broadcasts resulted in a Parlophone recording contract. (Watt later turned down an invitation, from George Martin, &R man for Parlophone, to help a new band from Liverpool called the Beatles).

In 1955, Watt formed a quintet that would enjoy a two-year stay at London's Quaglino's restaurant. He also formed a big band that, in 1956, recorded a series of four-track, seven-inch, 45RPM records. One of the tracks, "Overdrive", won an Ivor Novello award. 1958 saw his first LP, "It Might As Well Be Swing." The band had such great sidemen as Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Ross, Tommy McQuater, Bert Courtley, Jackie Armstrong, Phil Seamen and the others. And they didn't just play for Watt on his records; they appeared under his leadership in broadcasts, clubs and concerts. The band reflected Watt's great love of the music of Count Basie. (Basie was so impressed with Watt's writing that, after a British tour, he took some of the Scotsman's arrangements back to America with him.) In 1957, the Quaglino's gig ended and Brian Rix again helped getting Watt to write the music for six Whitehall farces and for two of Rix's films, "The Night We Got the Bird" (1961) and "Nothing Barred" (1961).

In 1960 Watt became leader of the Manchester-based BBC Northern Dance Orchestra, but Watt, a somewhat opinionated and argumentative man, made enemies in BBC management and lost the job the following year. Previously divorced, in 1962 he married his second wife, Romany Bain. She was the daughter of the Rev George Bramwell Evens, widely known as "Romany of the BBC", who had captured a generation of children with his broadcasts on Children's Hour and books on nature. 1964 found Watts leading the London-based 'Centre 42 Big Band'. He also began writing for the BBC again, as well as for the newly formed 'London Weekend Television'. In the late 1960s, he worked summer seasons as musical director for Tommy Cooper and Freddie Starr.

In 1970, he formed a big band to play at the Dorchester Hotel in London. He wrote a great new library for the band, but unhappily his audiences were made up of little old ladies who'd come for a tea dance. When disillusionment set in, he gave up music and became an interior decorator in Barnes, west London (but still occasionally playing piano in a trio at the Bull's Head, Barnes's celebrated jazz headquarters). Then, when he injured his elbow, he gave up decorating, and became a house-husband while his wife Romany, a magazine journalist, was the breadwinner.

In the 1980s, with Watt now effectively fully retired, they moved to Oxford. His son Ben found success as half of the pop duo 'Everything But the Girl', and Watt was happily able to recommend such Jazzmen as Peter King and Dick Pearce to play on the duo's early recordings.

     [ Jay Whidden Orch. ]
b: ca. 1890, New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA, d: 1968, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Violin
Overview
Here's an autographed photo (source unknown) of Jay Whidden, that reads: " A "Lovely Melody" To Joe Sanders (Coon-Sanders Orch. --ed) Theme by Yours, Jay Whidden. This American born violinist came to London, England in 1912. In time, he was involved in a vaudeville show which, in 1925, toured Australia and New Zealand. Whidden had a major impact on British dance music all during the 1920s. His band's vitality and cheerfulness was seldom matched by any of its contemporaries. His recordings, from 1926 on, are British Popular Music landmarks, and in April 2001, some of Whiddens records were, fortunately, re-issued on CD. In 1931, Whidden was performing in Los Angeles, CA. Ca, 1933, He his band was recorded in the USA. In 1939, he was again in Australia, this time leading an Australian Band before giving the band over to Roy Fox and then returning again to Great Britain. There he remained until 1941 when he returned to the USA. Some writer's have noted that Whidden was a Montana Cowboy, but this is a complete fiction. He grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York.

Whidden first found work as a violinst in American vaudeville theaters and later in Broadway musicals. In 1912, he visited England as a member of the touring Revue, 'Everybodys Doing It'. He subsequently toured New Zealand and Australia. In 1925, he was again back in England, where he formed a band for the Hotel Metropole's 'Midnight Follies Revue'.

From late 1927 to 1930, the Whidden band was playing for the Carlton Hotel's cabaret productions. In 1930, after the Carlton contract ended, the band did some theatre tours. In 1931, Whidden disbanded and returned to the United States where he led a band at the Los Angeles, CA., Biltmore Hotel.

In 1934, Whidden's band was playing at the prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco (future film star, and WW2's favorite 'Pin-Up girl', Betty Grable, was the bands singer). During the following years, Whidden was seen in several Hollywood films including 'Dancing Lady' and 'Penthouse Serenade'. In 1938, Whidden went to Australia, where he led a band composed of local musicians. In 1939, he returned to the UK but was largely unsuccessful in re-capturing his former popularity. In 1940, he returned to America. In 1968, Whidden died at his Los Angeles, CA residence.

     [ Jack White Orch. ]
b: circa 1905, Liverpool, England, UK, d: 1982, Brighton, England, UK
Clarinet and Alto Sax.
As a young man, this Liverpool-born musician was an active Footballer, - he even registered with the Everton FC, but eventually decided to make Music his mistress. During the 'teens, and early 1920s, the public's desire for Dance music was unquenchable, and Jack earned a living playing clarinet and Alto sax in various local dance bands before finally forming his own group 'The Collegians'. When that band came under the aegis of the Mecca Organisation, a prestigious booking agency managing many of the UKs largest ballrooms, they secured a very long residency at the Astoria.

In 1935, the band began to be heard on Radio. And, in 1937, the band started recording for EMI, but in the late 1940s transferred to Decca Records. They were heard on the long running radio series, 'Music While You Work'. The show was very well received by the public, and they were continually heard on the air until they made their final broadcast on Christmas Eve 1966.

When the Astoria contract ended, the bands work gradually diminished. By 1963, the band was basically a radio studio orchestra. In 1966, Jack White disbanded, ended his music career and went into a printing business (in Brighton). He never again showed any interest in his former musical career, always declined to be interviewed, and even disposed of his souvenirs and mementoes.

     [ Jay Wilbur Orch. ]
b. 1898, Bournemouth, England, UK. d. 1970, Capetown, South Africa.
A very popular bandleader throughout the 1930s. He backed up many singers including Sam Browne, Al Bowlly, Jack Lorimer, and Peter Mendoza. The band was seen in the 1941 British film, 'Hi Gang'. Jay also worked as the Staff Director for Dominion Records. Most prolific of all. Later worked for Crystalate and their subsidiaries Imperial, Eclipse and Rex Labels. Here's one of his recordings "Sing, Brothers", recorded in 1932. The "boy" singer is probably Peter Lorimer, and the two "girls" are Helen Clare and Phyllis Robins. (Digitally re-engineered by Mr. Verne Buland.). Here's another tune, "Choo Choo", (484 kb).

The selling of records and CDs has always been a rather wild business. For one example, in America, Cameo Records recorded the song "San" as played by the 'Alabama Red Peppers' in 1928. The "Peppers" were, in reality, 'Bob Haring and His Orchestra'. In Britain, the very same recording was issued under the pseudonym of "Jay Wilbur and His Orchestra". Listen now to the Wilbur,,..er, Haring,,,er...Peppers .....er... whoever, playing "San", back in 1928.

     [ Maurice Winnick's Orch.]
b. March 28, 1902, Manchester, U.K., d. mid-1960s
Violin/leader
Theme: "The Sweetest Music"
Here's a CD album cover, showing Maurice Winnick, who, as a child, studied the violin. By the age of 14 years he was playing in a Manchester cinema orchestra for the silent movies. Winnick went on to study music at the College of Music in Manchester.

Maurice first formed an 8 piece band that was booked into Manchester's Plaza Hotel. A little later, he became the leader of Jan Ralfini's orchestra at the Nottingham Palais. In time, he became the leader of a band on one of the Ocean Liners traveling back and forth between the U.K. and the USA. In the 1930's, he moved down to London, and to the Hammersmith Palais de Dance, where he led a five-piece group. But his big break came (in 1930) with his first BBC remote broadcasts when the band was playing at the Piccadilly Hotel. In 1932, Winnick moved to the Carlton Hotel, and in 1933, to the famous Ciro's Club. His Band appeared in the 1934 film 'Gay Love' (starring Florence Desmond and the great American Vaudevillian, Sophie Tucker, - "The Last Of The Red Hot Mamas". Winnick's Band was also in a 1938 film.

During these years, Winnick "cut" many fine dance band recordings on labels such as Regal, Panachord and Edison Bell Winner. While from time to time, the band was still being heard over the BBC.

Though he had been leading an ensemble of rather high musical standards, Winnick was to make a daring decision that changed the course of his long career. In November 1934, the orchestra began a residency at the posh 'The San Marco' club, situated in London's Mayfair district. Winnick did something else too. He completely changed his band's musical style becoming an English counterpart of America's phenomenally successful Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians Orchestra. This was accomplished with the full co-operation of both Guy Lombardo and with his prolific song writer brother Carmen Lombardo. (It was Carmen who had written "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven.")

In the mid-1930s, specifically at the beginning of 1935, while the band was at The San Marco, pianist/vocalist Sam Costa joined them. Costa was a fine piano player, but under Winnick's tutelage, he began to devote full time to vocalizing, and Ronnie O'Dell (also piano/singer) was brought in to replace Sam Costa on the piano. Sam would go on to become one of the busiest sesion singers on London's music scene.

Just a few months later, vocalist Judy Shirley joined the band. This sophisticated lady was born 1911 in Leicester, and came from the very talented Lenner family. Under Winnick's guidance, she too would later branch out into a successful solo career (which started with a regular solo spot in the long-running radio series 'Monday Night at Seven/Eight's'). And by the late l930s, Maurice Winnick was regularly using the now legendary singer Al Bowlly, for numerous broadcasts and recordings. Later on in 1935, Maurice replaced Harry Roy's orchestra at the Mayfair Hotel.

Maurice continued touring and playing the better hotels and dance halls. In 1940, his band included Ted Heath on trombone; Don Barrigo an Tenor sax, who was followed by Joe Crossman; Bill Shakespeare, trumpet; and Bert Barnes on piano and arranger. Al Bowlly and Dorothy Carless were vocalists.

With the close of the 1940's and the ending of World War II, the big band era also came to an end, and Maurice disbanded. Winnick became a booking agent for TV shows, a Television show Producer, and was even involved with the formation of the ITV (in a failed venture with Lord Kemsley - of the London Times newspaper). Maurice Winnick died in the mid 1960's. Later on in 1935, Maurice replaced Harry Roy at the Mayfair Hotel. Maurice continued touring and playing the better hotels and dance halls.

In 1940, his band included Ted Heath on trombone; Don Barrigo on Tenor sax - who was followed by Joe Crossman; Bill Shakespeare, trumpet; and Bert Barnes on piano and arranger. Al Bowlly and Dorothy Carless were the vocalists.

With the close of both the 1940's and the ending of the World War II, the big band era came to an end, and Maurice disbanded. He became a booking agent for Television shows; then a TV show producer, and was even involved with the formation of the ITV (in a failed venture with Lord Kemsley - of the London Times newspaper). Winnick died in the mid-1960s. In retrospect, many critics feel that his band quite possibly had the most distinctive sound of any British dance orchestra during the 1930s and '40s.

     [ Eric Winstone & his Orch ]
b. 1915, d. 1974
Eric was a virtuoso piano-accordionist who, during the late 1930s and well into the 1950s, was very well recorded not just as a soloist, but with his Swing Quartet (Accordion/Bass/Guitar/Vibraphone), leading the large 'London Piano-Accordion Band', and later with his own big band dance orchestra -that had several post-war hit records releases. Alan Kane and Julie Dawn were his primary vocalists. Eric did keep his smaller accordion ensemble active though, especially for his very popular 'Music While You Work' radio show. His main accordion competition was probably Harry Bidgood's accordion band (better known as The Primo Scala Accordion Band), but there was also George Scott-Woods 'Six Swingers', (who recorded with Sam Browne).

The personnel of Winstone's mid-1950s orchestra included:
Trumpets: Alan Moorhouse, Bill Limb, Ronnie Heasman
Trombones: Bram Fisher, Stan Smith
Saxes: Bobby Deeks, Harry Bence, Jimmy Brown, Alan Boorman, Alan Nesbitt
Vibes: Roy Marsh
Piano: Ralph Dollimore
Bass/Vocals: Colin Prince
Drums: Martin Aston
Vocals: Michael Holliday, Elizabeth Batey, June Marlow
Arrangers: Alan Moorhouse, Ralph Dollimore

     [ Marius B. Winter Orch ]
Marius' band is little remembered today, yet it had many 'firsts' to it's credit. For example, Winter's was the first dance band on radio, broadcasting from London's Marconi House attic in March 26, 1923.

In 1924, Marius was first again on Commercial Radio, this time it was Radio Paris. Winter also claimed that he was the very first leader to use what we today call a Theme Song. Before his time, bands didn't have theme songs. And not only that, but Winter always claimed that he was also the very first leader to play 'linking' music between numbers. All in all, a rather impressive list of "Firsts".

  VIDEO: "Barnyard Symphony"   Marius Winter's Orch, in 1930, playing a 'novelty' number. (Film Clip: jozefsterkens )

     [ Tommy Whitefoots Orchestra ]
Currently no photograph available.
Mr. Henry Samuels (of Manchester, England) has recalled that:
       "Tommy Whitefoots orchestra played at the 'Levenshulme Palais' around 1940. I was
       the vocalist with them. There were 3 brothers with the band, Cyral Boole on alto sax,
       Ernie Boole on tenor sax, and Harold Boole on piano. Fred Evans, Leslie Waterson.
       Bert Brown on trumpets. and Ted Brophy on bass."