British Traditional Jazz 1953-1963

I created this video for the Epsom & Ewell U3A Classic Jazz Group meeting in July 2012 from clips on KZbin of Acker Bilk, Humphrey Lyttleton, Chris Barber and Kenny Ball to illustrate the sound of the popular jazz music of the decade. The essentials were a front line of trumpet or cornet, clarinet and trombone, and a rhythm section consisting of banjo, string double bass, and drums, or traps as they sometimes named them. Acker and Kenny Ball also used a piano, whereas Chris Barber rarely had one. Saxes and guitars were generally disliked, to the extent that many people would show their anger if either were produced. Fortunately, these days we now prepared to tolerate a wider range of instruments, even the flugle horn, violin, flute and penny whistle, as long as the musicians don't push their luck too far!

[@TrevorG3241]

Had many happy visits to 100 Oxford Street to see and hear some of these greats back in the day

[@alfching2499]

Yes it was wonderful while it lasted great bands Like Humphrey Littleton’s,Chris Barber, and Early Acker and his Paramounts.and a dash of Kenny Ball who was also a good trumpeter,Plus loads more inc The Temperance Seven who were very Authentic thanks to George Martin,A good Ol scene was had by one and All

[@stephenreid7937]

my parents met there ! My mother was a bit of a jazz groupie ..The Alex Welsh band were in residency so she went there to snag Lennie Hastings and went off with the Bass player (my father Bill Reid). I heard many stories ...but no Welsh or Lightfoot on this video ?!

[@trig6712]

A long time ago they got me started into jazz 1958 still love it . at 83 now I met most of them in the 50/60s/Thank you so Much. Cheers

[@nobby314]

I played clarinet for the Savannah City Jazz Band in England and played alongside these big names at the Luton's TUC Club in the early 1960s. They were fun times.

[@Albron1980]

Great menu of for me, the 1950's & 60's. Traditional jazz will continue to be loved and what a pleasure to hear Lonnie & Otilie singing together. Sheer magic. Thank you very much.

[@ricardo12744]

Absolutely brilliant but sorry Ken Colyer was not featured!

[@stuarttootell]

What a wonderful return to a long since gone youth, thanks for the memories and the pleasure.

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks for your comment, very interesting. So glad you enjoyed all those memories. Mike

[@_flyboyblue]

My dad's birthday today. He grew up with this music and it's a delight to be able to listen to it some years after we lost him. Thanks for uploading.

[@roncouch]

Started work after leaving school at this time and in no time at all was completely smitten.Saw all these artists - ‘in the flesh’ -at various ventures in and around my Essex roots. Got called for National Service in 1960. When I ‘got out’ all the favourite and popular venues had essentially closed down: all in the space of 2 years. A cultural shock to find trends and fashion had changed - virtually overnight. I had to get used to a greatly changed social life; even ballroom dancing was in decline.Took me three years to get back to some kind of ‘normality’. A sad passing of a great musical era.

[@rropo1]

Ron Yes I did National service same time - one of the last! The jazz scene certainly changed almost overnight and for me my jazz days are mostly a very happy memory.. bring back the duffle coats beards black stockinged gals and yes Watneys Red Barrel (well I liked it!!)

[@taylorserawan7872]

I am from Ewell and living in Australia listening to your excellent mix--I had forgotten how good a singer Mrs Barber was.

[@edwarddavidson9360]

I remember Acker Bilk and his band coming Borneo to play to the troops in 1964/5. Wonderful times.

[@alankirkby465]

Acker Bilk, Brother, David Bilk, was a neighbour of mine in Bristol. Dave, at one time was Ackers, manager. Dave, would often reminisce about Acker, and himself Boyhood/Band early days etc. Unfortunately Dave, died a year or so ago, Dave, was 89. Anyone, Peace to all.

[@TheBobbryant]

thanks for posting made an old man of 76 feel quite young again

[@cynthiatims8178]

You are very welcome...

[@user-td5gh4qf7l]

i have not opened this for some time but when I do it knocks me so many of my years off. I go way back to the days I would listen the get up and rock. Can hardly stand nowadays!

[@hubertbanks2009]

AMEN

[@davidbalmer-wellard3928]

Wonderful. All those Sunday lunchtimes in the pub.

[@spmoran4703]

Happy music .

[@robinwilson1433]

What a brilliant video - many thanks for sharing this with us! I love all sorts of trad jazz. I used to love Kenny Ball (but not his chart hits!) - I went to a number of his concerts, what great evenings they were. What a showman and entertainer R.I.P!

[@keithtanner2806]

I agree, I hated his commercial stuff but when I saw him live he discovered he was a great jazzman, showman and very funny. “I’ll come sliding down the rhubarb to you.”

[@jurgenmeise7041]

Wunderbare Mischung meiner 3 B s es war eine Tolle Zeit. Danke Jockel

[@joesmith34]

Alex Welsh What happened One of the best and underated jazz bands Ever.

[@stephenreid7937]

I was going to write this and am glad someone has mentioned the Welsh band ! My father Bill played Bass ( always surrounded by superior musicians in truth) after he left Terry Lightfoot .Maybe not your era , of course...Archie Semple, eh ...he was something else.

[@joesmith34]

@@stephenreid7937 Yeah thanks Steve I m a big fan of Alex Saw him twice at The Great Harry Warsash. This guy and Kenny Ball got all the praise because they had hits.

[@johndowson7929]

Superb musicians in the Alex Welch band , Roy Williams for example. My dad played trombone and sat in with the Welch band when he was in his prime n believe me you had to be bloody good to even sit in with that band . Between Chris Barber and Alex Welch I'd say were the best in Britain at that time .

[@joesmith34]

@@johndowson7929 Particilarly when you had Lenny Hastings on drums

[@rodgermyles2871]

What a coincidence! Going to a U3A Jazz group tomorrow for Xmas session.

[@mfmbam]

Nearly brought my duffle coat and black polo neck out of retirement. Lovely memories of Riverside Jazz club Norwich.

[@joluttringer4450]

Many thank's for this NICE upload. Jo Luttringer, close friend of Chris Barber and the late Pat Halcox since january 1961 and still.

[@luisfernandezcordero8923]

Música para soñar, MARAVILLOSA

[@derekfarman6014]

Fabulous. We used to go every week to see all these bands at the British Legion Hall in South Harrow in the early 60's. I think the recording of Barber in Berlin on EMI is one of the best ever.

[@stephenreid7937]

My father ( a Harrow county boy ) ran most of the Harrow British Legion stuff then ! Dagenham and Southend and more ...Did you see Jerry Lee Lewis there !?!!?

[@sunnyvenice6694]

A terrific collection, took me back years ! thank you.

[@JazzVideoMike]

So glad you enjoyed all those memories. Great music never dies, and trad jazz was great. Mike

[@OlgaNovakauskiene]

British Traditional Jazz- 1953- 1963 Excellent

[@chalkmiracle122]

Excellent! Mr McCartney certainly heard this before writing Lady Madonna. Also Humph later said ace record producer Joe Meek processed the piano sound making it a hit. If Humph hadn't been on holiday he'd have vetoed it!

[@christopherstead4466]

What a legacy these guys left and what talent.but where is Ken Colyer?

[@JazzVideoMike]

Good point, but I did not come accross any suitable Ken Colyer clips on KZbin when I made this.

[@r.m.groenteman3263]

Wonderfull.Brings back the old time.

[@raystevens4635]

" Best OF British Jazz " great to see Lonnie and Chris -- 1954 -- Style. Thank you , Ray Stevens.

[@susanmillett7021]

My Dad was a clarinet player in this scene, he played with Crane River, and later in ken Colyers marching band, I remember his jazz mates coming round before they all went out, we lived in a caravan in Chertsey!

[@FatMattInAHat]

was that Neil?

[@susanmillett7021]

Yes did you know him? He died 2001

[@FatMattInAHat]

+susan millett hi. not me, granny did. ☺

[@susanmillett7021]

Ah, is she still around? Be nice to hear from her...

[@FatMattInAHat]

+susan millett yes she's ken's widow. i can get her to connect with you on Facebook if you like

[@stuartparker6989]

Listening to Humphrey Lyttelton, Bad Penny Blues was written by my uncle Johnny Parker who was his pianist at the time for HL. Our family are still bitter that HL got all the credit and cash for that track. Hey HO! That was then and would not happen now!

[@JazzVideoMike]

Stuart Parker That seems to be a story that happened right from the beginning of recording. My guess is that it would still happen today as bandleaders still hold the reigns, and the band member doesn’t have much option if he wants to get his tune recorded and published. However remember that Humph ploughed an awful lot of his cash back into his band and musicians. Mike

[@myramartin3140]

What a shame. I liked your uncle.

[@keithtanner2806]

Lonnie only received £2 standard recording fee for Rock Island Line! Especially galling as the record company weren’t interested in skiffle and only left the equipment running during a recording break as a sop to the band!

[@dixielandsk]

Nezaboravniot Acker Bilk zaedno so svojot klarinet i PJB ostavija trags vo Britanskiot jszz i pop muzika. Blagodaren sum za negoviot tvorecki opus.

[@keithward2283]

I used to follow several top jazz groups around three venues in my area, back then they would sit at the bar during the break with the customers, and these were all free entry.

[@Chardonni]

Thanks for that, it was most enjoyable. The years just fell away.

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks for your comment, very interesting. So glad you enjoyed all those memories. Mike

[@davidliell4573]

Thanks for the upload. This was my time with Trad. Boy, what great music.

[@Normlaure0]

I had a skiffle group and filled in the spaces when the Chris Barber Band was breaks, and one night I really felt we were swingiing like never before, and I looked round and Chris had joined in on a real Double Bass. Memories like that never leave you; All the guys were great and no side to any of them at that time.

[@anthonybowes9273]

This takes me back to my mid 20's great music in the Chiselhurst caves.

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks, those were the days! Glad you enjoyed!

[@tgc6266]

Excellent, thanks a million!

[@paullangton728]

Humph’s Bad Penny Blues was the first record I bought. Correct me if I’m wrong but on the reverse side of the 10” 78 was Red Beans and Rice bought from a record shop in Parsons Green, Fulham. So many hours of listening pleasure.

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks Paul, I'm glad it brings back happy recollections. I only know that red beans and rice was Louis Armstrong's favoutrite dish frpm New Orleans.

[@pamtyler9118]

Brilliant from start to finish!

[@josefsmesny4044]

Parádní muzikanství v tomto swingovém ´oboru´. P. S.

[@hughsinclair8730]

Happy memories from Eel Pie Island and many other jazz clubs. It,s time for a revival. Hugh Sinclair

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

...thanks for a this great upload - you cannot help foot tappin with Ottilie Pattterson's great voice.

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Jazz V Mike

[@harryboggon8718]

Great Stuff, Happy Memories 👍👍

[@regwilkins2180]

anybody remember the Star in Croydon on a Friday night in the sixties? all the big bands played there

[@anthonyabel7428]

Reg Wilkins. I remember it well, might have known you too? Frank Getgood on the door with Nobby. Mr and Mrs Smythe behind the bars, he was ok, but she was a dragon. I remember my fried Bryan and I making a racket outside after closing, we were tying a ginger bloke to a lamp post. She threw a bucket of water out of the upstairs window. I was drunk when Ken Colyer was on stage playing “ waltzing with the king” I grabbed the mike and sung it instead, he was furious. I went to the Star every Friday from 1959-1964. Glory days, had a lot of girlfriends from there too, I wish I could do it all again!!

[@goldasimkins4285]

Luvly1 It made my week. Thank Mike

[@Old-Jazz-by-Terry]

I enjoyed the selection, but was somewhat surprised at the omission of Ken Colyer (The Guvnor). After all Acker, Lonnie, Monty, Chris, Ron Bowden, Jim Bray etc. all featured in bands led by Colyer

[@Normlaure0]

Ken Colyer, Mick Mulligan, Sunday Riverboat Shuffles on the Thames out of Windsor (run by Johnny Mansfield - Keith Mansfield's elder brother. ........

[@petekernow1]

If that's so, shock horror and I could not agree more! He was the acknowledged leader of the school of traditional jazz which modelled itself on the NO players who stayed in the city and never moved north. Best known probably George Lewis. Wonderful music!

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks for your comment, very interesting. So glad you enjoyed all those memories. Unfortunately I rarely saw Ken Colyer - I was trying to earn a living in those days. Fortunately there is much of Ken's material now on CD which was recorded by John & Rene Long. Mike

[@pradeepn7]

Thank You.

[@petermcmurray2807]

The soaring clarinet was my favourite - sadly disappointed when Sutton Chicago jazz band headed mainstream with Sax. Tony Robinson the trumpeter/leader is still playing now in Dorset.

[@tomek4710]

Wonderful

[@aguildsman]

Lord Montague, Eel Pie Island, 51 Club, Oxford Street, Flowers Keg, Watney Red Barrel, slick dancing, what great times, and what great empires.

[@APPRENTICE5703]

Ta for posting and reviving the memory of Flowers Keggy Bit (we used to call it). Don't forget Scott's, BOTH clubs. The 2i's coffee bar, next to Heaven and Hell where the tables were in the shape of coffins.

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

I remember going to a coffee bar with coffins as tables but don't recall it being named 'Heaven and Hell' but something else ......was it called "The Macabre?"

[@lindaaldridge2349]

elizabeth sheffield hi the Macabre was in Wardour street. From the old Marquee club (mid 60s) turn right towards oxford street. The macabre was on the right on the corner of an ally. I don't remember anything else remarkable other than drinking our drinks from the coffins. Memories! Alan

[@myramartin3140]

51 Club Oxford Street. 1952 and 3. It's why I'm still going strong at 84!

[@jackparker2887]

it"s great to hear REAL Jazz

[@janetmundie3981]

Great memories of St Andrews Hall Glasgow--Chris Barber.

[@vojtechtrnka7857]

Wonderfull !

[@uslines]

I remember the Brit Trad Bands back when I lived in Paris 1961-1964. Had some recordings but alas no longer.

[@panther6421]

Que hermosooo!!!

[@robingainsford5299]

Agree with Stuart listening on a yacht in Croatia loving both Robin

[@bigbigtrack]

Very nice !

[@andynew2]

Acker had the unique clarinet sound.

[@ianblaby2986]

Many thanks for this from Dorchester and District U3A

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thank you - if I can be of help to your U3A group please get in touch via the Epsom & Ewell U3A website. Mike

[@carlah1000]

very good!!

[@zamarrip0n]

THANKYOU!!!

[@jeanlemenicier8438]

I heard chris in london, when i was twenty years...I did love that kind of music, and i 'm very happy to know that he is always blowing his trumbon. I like your video, but did'nt forget the marvelous otilie Paterson?

[@barrylangroydhanson2226]

"Bad Penny Bluues really stands the test of time as did Benny Goodmans "Sing Sing Sing"!

[@biancaaimareuzebio9661]

Parece aquelas músicas dos desenhos animados da década de 1980. Pica-pau.... Muito bom!!!!!!!!

[@geoffboxell3906]

In a Persian Market is available on Lake LACD 195. Lake have re-released most of Ball, Barber, Ball and other 1950s-60s British jazz on their label.

[@jeffayoe7468]

nice

[@derekrisebrow9322]

It was great dancing with Delia in those, beautiful, heady days. I wonder where Delia has gone?

[@lesjohnson7749]

Les Johnson (piano) here. Are you the Derek that played clarinet in the jazz band we formed at Goldsmith's College, around 1958/59, with Vernon and others ?

[@LeeAElliott]

Nice!

[@johnwhitehead3360]

86 and still enjoying all kinds and eras of Jazz

[@jimpaterson5508]

John Whitehead q Great

[@myramartin3140]

Another octogenarian! Jazz keeps us young.

[@peterosborn6056]

Me too and at 92 I'm a fan of Tuba Skinny

[@peterdunkler7756]

das war meine Zeit im Berliner Sportpalast

[@peterferry9582]

Elite Syncopations - not a patch on the track recorded by Ken the Guvernor

[@peterh.schindler5444]

Formidable!

[@JazzVideoMike]

Hi Peter, Thank you and I am pleased that you enjoyed my video. Mike

[@petekernow1]

Re sheet music: one of the essential things about traditional jazz is that much/most of it is improvised, but by players (I'm not one!) who understand the idiom and each other. Many famous guys picked it up from recordings, not sheet music.

[@geoffrowell775]

Sydney bechet played soprano sax... Trade at its best

[@docterdrippy1860]

Geoff Rowell M ,

[@surreydodger]

Steamboat Bill ,, so that's where Casey Jones of the Canonball Run came from :)

[@MadAndyBeckman]

I was expecting it to break into Christie's "Yellow River."

[@fins59]

I thought it was The Beatles intro to Lady Madonna when I heard Bad Penny Blues at 2:14, is that where they got it from I wonder.

[@keithtanner2806]

fins59 Yes, they acknowledge that was its origin. They began as a skiffle group!

[@trevorjarrett4098]

SKIP JIVING AT EELPIE ISLAND ~ BOUNCY BOUNCY ~ 3 PINTS OF BEST PER HOUR ~ TONKIN BEAN JOINT ON THE GO ~ GOOD OLD DAYS WILL NOT RETURN

[@jamescottis6724]

Of course Ken Colyer was the Master and began it all.

[@sidclack2068]

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

[@colflak2616]

James Cottis ' Think you'll find George Webb began it all. He was playing trad (as it became know) long before his band first recorded in 1943 and this was long before Ken formed the Crane River band ( with.Barber,Donigan,Sunshine etc). Ken later joined the Merchant Navy and jumped ship at New Orleans. When Humph left the Army (Guards} he joined the George Webb Dixielanders as second trumpet and got his first pay for playing jazz!

[@jamescottis6724]

col flack You are quite right of course. I lived near the actual Crane River in those days. My comment was meant to read "and began it all for the west London Lads et all

[@FatMattInAHat]

correct

[@gunners47]

it's trad, dad: great!

[@Srizni]

Does anyone know where I can find sheet music for this kind of jazz?

[@geoffgeoff5586]

What a pity they interrupted the famous Gb chord at the end of Strangler on the Shore...oh well!

[@MrEclecticity]

What do you want/need?

[@althejazz]

Beats all the 'pop groups into cocked hats. You don't gte musicianship like this in the world of 'popular' music these days

[@zitosouza]

good.

[@alexmckenna1171]

I wonder why saxes weren't included? It would have improved the sound for me, but then I'd have a violin as well, and bass sax, if I had my way :-)

[@Mr3sheds]

The line-up of trumpet, trombone, clarinet, banjo, bass and drums was the "traditional" line-up which dated back to the Dixieland jazz of the 1920s, hence the term "trad-jazz". When saxophonists such as Tubby Hayes, Joe Harriott and Bruce Turner came on the scene in the 1950s, they developed a style which came to be known as "Modern jazz". Traditionalists such as Chris Barber and Humphrey Lyttelton remained true to their roots throughout their careers.

[@alexmckenna1171]

***** I'm thinking more of the 1920s dance-band sound really, as you may have guessed, although they were all called jazz bands at the time. :-)

[@colflak2616]

***** Listen to a few 'Dixieland jazz of the 1920s' recordings and you'll usually find a saxophone in there. Bix,Condon,Bunk etc all had sax in line-up sometime or other. Hayes, Harriot, Turner didn't 'develop a style which came to be know as Modern Jazz'. This came via USA thanks to the likes of Diz and Bird who wanted to move on from the old music. As did Barber and Humph - plenty of sax in their later bands (including Turner and Harriot!). Enjoy it all.

[@alexmckenna1171]

col flack Maybe it's a personal thing, but the sound of the saxes, including the soprano even, was more satisfying than the later sound with the clarinet taking over things.

[@petekernow1]

That takes me back to Rex Harris' Pelican book on jazz, chunks of which I could quote off by heart when I was at school in the mid 50s. He maintained that saxophones had no place in true jazz and wrote that if Coleman Hawkins had played clarinet, he could have won a place among famous jazz players!! A sort of jazz fundamentalist.

[@susanmillett7021]

Wow please do. Mum remembers Ken actually, he died youngish though?

[@FatMattInAHat]

yes in 88. what is your Facebook picture of? I'll try and find you

[@susanmillett7021]

My picture is me standing on a ladder painting, and my daughter out on a walk....I go under my name, thank you!

[@FatMattInAHat]

+susan millett i saw it earlier. I'll get her to add you. she's called delphine.

[@susanmillett7021]

thank you!

[@FatMattInAHat]

your facebook is on private so she can't add you. add her facebook.com/delphine.frecker?fref=nf :)

[@ScottDack]

Oh god I was born in the wrong era

[@ItzWhiz_]

*Right generation

[@zamarrip0n]

whats the name of the first song ?

[@jamesappleton7390]

In a Persian market place Ben...

[@katerinabozhinova9125]

What's the name of the song at 15:04 - 16:39?

[@jazz1944]

The Martinique.

[@OlTed]

+Katerina Bozhinova The Martinique :)

[@dixielandsk]

Tradicionalniot britanski diksilend e verojatno najdobar vo Evropa. Me raduva faktot deka i drugi drzavi od Evropa go neguvaat i praktikuvaat svirenje diksilend.

[@JazzVideoMike]

In A Persian Market

[@JazzVideoMike]

Thanks for your comment, very interesting. They were great days. Pop music has never been the same since. Mike

[@pideravall1162]

Papa pider

[@Malcolm701]

Don't keep chopping the end off of all these numbers! It's very irritating,.

[@Jill.Hellary]

Rare Acker Bilk. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXu4f4Jonq17j5Y

[@barrycarlson1560]

Dance band musicians playing trad , not like Ken Colyer playing Nawlins roots jass this help kill of the British jazz scene

[@JazzVideoMike]

All jazz from New Orleans jazz was dance music! That's exactly what Ken Coyer was playing. Humph and Chris Barber kept the UK jazz scene alive right through to the end of the 20th century and beyond. I don't understand what point you are trying to make.

[@BernardVictor]

Pity about the track of the Barber re-union band. I saw them a couple of years ago, and they were bloody awful.

[@Melvvynfirmager]

Great to hear all these old tunes, but oh, everyone clipped, leaving me in the lurch everytime. Sorry but can't stand that, as want to hear complete performances, not......