The Contemporary British Big Bands Scene

(Mr John Killoch has kindly supplied this information on presently operating British orchestras.)
While there are few existing bands in the UK, there are a lot of what I call 'bands from the wardrobe'; i.e. the band does not exist except in a pile of music in a wardrobe! As and when it does happen, the music is extracted and they ring around. Often there is a nucleus of performers but the band does not exist on a permanent basis.

[ BBC Radio Big Band ]    Top of Page
Leader Barry Forgie uses a lot of transcriptions of classic swing and jazz pieces. Music by Florence, McConnell, Kubis etc. The sidemen are all good readers; efficient if a little careful in their performances. The latter is because of short paid rehearsals. All are pro's. So the usual 'twice through' at a rehearsal produces accurate performances. For me, I wish they would go for broke and enjoy the odd clam!! Fine young drummer in Mike Smith. The Band has a weekly radio show and tours regularly.

[ Peter Cater Big Band ]    Top of Page
Leader PETER CATER is an excellent drummer, late of the Midland Youth Jazz orchestra. This is a new unit based in Ruislip, on the outskirts of London. Regular personnel usually. Music of Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Mintzer, Hancock and Peter Herbolzheimer. All the players are escapees from NYJO. A band of wonderful soloists and biting ensemble playing. They are always very exciting and enthusiastic. Quite possibly, they're the best JAZZ big band in the UK. The band has yet to record. Plays regular concerts at the Ruislip Golf Club.

[ Chris Dean Orchestra ]    Top of Page
Trombonist Chris Dean has re-created the sounds of the excellent post war era GERALDO orchestra, proving that the Geraldo Orchestra was as exciting and as dynamic as any of today's bands. It just had the limitations of poor recordings. The Dean orchestra is still another wordrobe band but when it is out, it is excellent. Top London pros. One CD now hard to find except from leader.

[ Peter Herbolzheimer ]    Top of Page
Peter Herbolzheimer must be the best composer and arranger in Europe. His is a brilliant Big band that does lots of TV work. Top Anglo/American/German Band. Occasionally reminds one of Woody Herman at his best, but also produces outstanding work on the music of Metheny, Hancock etc. Many of their CD's are available. All are superb. Peter also leads the best youth orchestra I know of in the GERMAN BUNDESJAZZORKESTER. Three remarkable CD's out. This band, well funded and superby competent, uses P.H.'s charts and in-house stuff. The P.H. influence always dominates... and that is good.

[ Syd Lawrence Orchestra ]    Top of Page
This is a professional band with a large contingent of regulars. The band features the music of Glenn Miller and the swing era. It's acknowledged by the Miller Estate as one of the best tribute bands. Touring all the time. Assorted records and CD's... does not sell to dealers but distributes at concerts. Old stuff finds it way onto cheap and cheerful CD/LPs.
Sad to relate, Syd Lawrence passed away on May 5, 1998. He was 74.

[ Vic Lewis ]    Top of Page
This rabid follower of Cricket, in his time, led a band that had the support and appreciation of STAN KENTON. Known as the English STAN KENTON, the band gradually disppeared and is now only available on deleted albums but well worth visiting. Lewis is still active as a promoter and in furthering the KENTON cause.

[ Don Lusher Big Band ]    Top of Page
Trombonist Lusher calls up the usual guys when he tours or does a radio gig. The band's library consists of carefully played late swing era and contemporary charts. They have several albums. The music is reminiscent of Ted Heath. he also leads the TED HEATH band when it appears, - same comments apply.

[ Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra ]    Top of Page
Based in Birmingham, MYJO takes its players from from the heartland. They receive absolutely no funding as of this writing. The band exists on money it can make at concerts and the odd parental help, etc. There are 70 young people in three bands. The senior band has an upper limit of 25 years. This band features the music of Florence, McConnell and top American writers/arrangers. This orchestra is a pet project of Bob Florence who shows a keen interest, as does Rob McConnell, who has guested. They have won the BBC National Radio Big Band competition every time the band has been allowed to enter. They no longer bother with junior side of competition. Assorted cassetes and one CD self sponsored. High professional standard and very audience friendly.
WebURL: http://www.myjo.co.uk

[ National Youth Jazz Orchestra ]    Top of Page
Led by Bill Ashton, NYJO is reckoned to be the flagship of youth orcehstras in the UK. Rehearses every week in London. Players from all over the country arrive. The standard is high and members tend to go on to better things. Lots of CD's. The band only plays in-house arrangements or those done specially for the band. Audiences are irked a bit because of a deliberate policy of avoiding standard material, and never playing music of other bands. So, you won't hear a Kenton, Rich, or Florence piece. Because of its 'national' connotation, the band gets money thrown at it via sponsorship etc.

[ Jack Parnell Big Band ]    Top of Page
Unfortunately this band met its demise through some apparent in-fighting but has left a legacy of fine recordings. They were one of the great British bands from the 1950's. Think of Bellson, Herman and the impact would be there or thereabouts. Parnell is now a musical director of TV and radio orchestras. He was a fine JAZZ drummer in the American style. Played loose and swinging, very dynamic. His recordings are starting to re-appear on a label called MUSIC FOR PLEASURE (EMI) some excellent compilations.

[ The Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, Directed by Michael Law ]    Top of Page
This orchestra was founded in 1988 by musical director, singer and pianist Michael Law to play the great popular music of the 1920's and 30's, hopefully with a distinctively British style. The orchestra plays as an 11, 12, 14 and 15 piece. The 12 piece has played at The Savoy Hotel on Saturday nights since October 1997, and is thrilled to be following in the footsteps of earlier famous Savoy bands such as Carroll Gibbons, Geraldo, Fred Elizalde etc. This is the first time the Savoy has had regular big band dancing since the 1960's. To make a nice link with the past, they play some of the same musical arrangements that Carroll Gibbons recorded, such as "It's D'Lovely," "Change Partners," "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" and "Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now." We also play transriptions of Jack Hylton's "If I Had A Talking Picture Of You" and "Happy Feet." Four albums have been released and a fifth due out this year to celebrate their tenth anniversary. The band has broadcasted for BBC radio 2 and 3 and BBC TV.

[ Jack Sharp Big Band ]    Top of Page
This orchestra, with the usual London senior faces in band, had the right to play the music of the late, fabulous, Tubby Hayes. They enjoyed regular gigs at the 'Bulls Head' in Barnes. Their Baritone playing leader recently passed away and no-one else has kept it going. Two CDs are well worth buying on the Jazz House label.

[ Stan Tracey Big Band ]    Top of Page
This brilliant ex-Heath pianist writes beautiful music with a side-long affectionate glance at Ellington. Stan left Heath because of his penchant for explosive adventurous soloing and/or his frustration at limited scenarios for expressing himself. Another wardrobe band, comes out occasionally for a festival or radio/TV shot. Always worth a visit.