[ Cafe Colette Orch. ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios during 1936.

         [ Alfredo Campoli and his Tzigane Orch. ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: the 1934 film 'His Majesty and Co.'

         [ Jack Cannon Orch. ]
In private correspondence, the wonderful vocalist, Mr. Tony Walsh has recalled:

       "One of the Palais De Danse outfits was the Jack Cannon band resident for
       many years at the BURY Palais, the band broadcast during the second
       world war, and the Palais was first home to many refugees from London
       During the war it was a very popular venue for the Armed forces playing
       nightly to packed floors of servicemen and women, -Bury at that time was
       a garrison town. The Jack Cannon band continued to play there well into
       the 1960s. Amongst the line up of the final band, Fred Durst (piano),
       Ken Johnson (bass), Joe Scholes (drums), Jack Ufton (trumpet) in the
       section, Jack Longworth (trombone), Jimmy Duxbury (trombone), Alan
       Spencer (tenor sax), Alan Greenhalgh (alto sax), Ted Tweedale (alto sax),
       vocalist George Crooks was later replaced by Tony Walsh, the band was
       usually 14 pc including the leader Jack Cannon."

         [ Eddie Carroll's Band ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios ca.1928

         [ Lauderic Caton and his Rhythm Swingette ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: the 1946 pix 'Walking On Air'

         [ Johnny Claes and his Claepigeons ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: 1946 in film 'George in Civvy Street'

         [ Lionel Claff and his Band ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: 1934 film 'Love, Mirth and Melody'

         [ The Clapham and Dwyer Orch. ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: the 1937 picture 'Sing As You Swing'

      [ Gracie Cole's (All-Girl) Orch. ], mid-1950s
We had little information on this band but, in private correspondence, Mr. John Stephens has graciously forwarded some information and wonderful photographs.

Gracie Cole had been a member of 'Ivy Benson's All Girl Band', until 1950, when she left and formed her own orchestra, ca. 1951. Here's a photo of the ladies On Stage, and here's a good Close-up photo, of the ladies. who are (left to right - as the drummer Sheelagh Pearson recalled): "Lena Kidd, Brenda Duke, Greta Marshall, Ralda Croucher, Sheelagh Pearson, Gracie Cole, Miriam Wood, Nina Dellamure, Rosemary ?, then Ruth Harrison or June Robinson?, and Dorothy Burgess (Sheelagh was not sure of these two)."

Many of the arrangements were by Johnny Dankworth. In 1954, the Coles orchestra played at the State Kilburn for the Jazz Jamboree - the first 'All Girl' band to do this. During this period, the band's drummer, Sheelagh Pearson, was voted best girl drummer in the UK, in the Melody Maker Poll. This photo shows the 'Dinah Dee Orchestra' rhythm section; the guitarist, bassist and Sheelagh on drums. (Apparently, there was only one blonde in Cole's orchestra.) And finally, here's a great shot of Sheelagh in Action, on stage.

At other times, the "side-ladies" in this all- girl band were:
    Saxes: Brenda Duke, Maureen Mortimer, Lena Kidd, Nina Dellamure
    Trumpets: bandleader Gracie Cole, June Robinson, and Dorothy Burgess
    Trombone: Ruth Harrison
    Piano: Greta Marshall
    Drums: Sheelagh Pearson
    Bass: Miriam Wood
    Vocals: June Robinson

In 1956, Eleanor "Lena" Kidd (former member of the Ivy Benson, and Gracie Cole Bands) formed the Lena Kidd Quartet. And, here's a great photo of that Lena Kidd Quartet. Photo shows Sheelagh Pearson as the drummer. ( During 1957-1960, Sheelagh played with Dinah Dee All Girl's Band. )

These wonderful photos, and information, were sent by Mr. John Stephens, through the graciousness of Ms Sheelagh Pearson.

         [ Emilio Colombo and his Tzigane Band ]
Currently No Information Available, but known to have worked in British Film studios including: 1936 film 'Gypsy'

         [ Comedian Harmonists, The ]
Please see their entry on our German Bands Database Not a band, but a 6 man vocal group immensely popular in pre-WW2 Europe. They also worked in the British Film studios including: 1931 film 'Monte Carlo Madness'.

         [ Francisco Cavez Quintet ]
Currently No information on the band that was resident during 1953 in London's Copocabana club. The members consisted of:
Drums: Francisco Cavez
Piano: Gordon Franks
Guitar: Chic Lovell
Bass: Bob Howard
Vocals/Maracas: Ronnie Harris

         [ Al Collins Orch. ]
b. London, England, UK, d. 1964, London, England, UK.
In 1919, having worked in America during the WWI years, Collins and the young pianist Billy Mayerl returned to England. He first found work at the Piccadilly Hotel, and a year later led a small dance band at the Savoy Hotel, - the hotel chain where he would spend most of his life-long career.

In 1920, he led a dance band quintet at Claridge's Hotel. The 1925 line-up had (on far left side of photo) Ben Tucker, alto sax; Al Collins in center holding his violin. The other members (not identified in the photo) were Dave Comer (formerly in the old Savoy Quartet), piano; Hyatt Berry, banjo; Sid Racklin, drums. In 1927, the band was augmented by Will Dannan (tenor sax) and Charlie Jones (tuba). During 1929 - 1930, the Collins orchestra was resident at the main Savoy Hotel, sharing the musical duties with Arthur Lally and later with Percival Mackey. In 1932, Collins switched to another Savoy Group hotel, The Berkeley, remaining there for many years.

He subsequently played violin as a sideman in various orchestras before retiring to Israel, where his son and daughter were living. However, he soon returned to London where he continued to play his violin in an amateur orchestra right up until his death in 1964.

         [ Percy L. Chandler Orch. ]
Currently No Information on this musician.
In 1930, 'Percy L. Chandler and His Quaglino's Quartette' were resident at Quaglino's restaurant, and were twice heard on the BBC, once as 'Percy Chandler and his Band from Chez Quaglino's'. Apparently, at year's end, the band was no longer resident at Quaglino's Chandler did record in April 1931 for Piccadilly records (Al Bowlly was on three of the sides).

He seems to have ceased working actively in music and turned his hand at Yachting. It is known that he raced his yacht at many regattas. While no longer active musically, he never-the-less seems to have formed "pick-up" bands for single special events.

In the mid-1930s, he joined the Royal Navy for his full time career. In time, he retired from the Admiralty as a Third Commander, and took up residence in Hastings.