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| Vic Lewis (1940 to 1948)... |
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Band leader Vic Lewis had an incredible recording career and a list of the jazz musicians he employed or recorded with reads like a who's who of British jazz stars. He also had an active career in the USA using a number of top American musicians.Vic Lewis and Carlo Krahmer's Boys - February 13th, 1940 (HMV) Leo Wright (tp), Johnny Williams (as), George Shearing (p), Vic Lewis (g), Unknown (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). Love Is Just Around the Corner (unissued). Vic Lewis Band - September 18th, 1942 (?) Vic Lewis (tb), Peter Boutewood (cl), Dick Katz (p-1), Allan Hames (g), Joe Muslin (b), Pete Ringer (d). I Found A New Baby/I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate/London Blues(1) (all unissued). In the period from 1942 to 1944 Lewis made a number of records with Buddy Featherstonhaugh's RAF Sextet. Details... In 1944 'Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen' began recording for Parlophone... Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen - February 12th, 1944 (Parlophone) Billy Riddick (tp), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,sop), Derek Hawkins (cl,as), Dick Katz (p), Vic Lewis (g,vcl), Charlie Short (b), Jack Parnell (d). Johnny's Idea*/Mean Old Bed Bug Blues (vocal VL)*/Jazz Band Jump*/I'm Coming Virginia*^. (*Upbeat CD - Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen 1944/45 - 'Swingin' The Blues') (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Vic Lewis Jam Session Vol-1 1944-1945 The War Years - mid February, 1944 (Harlequin) Billy Jones, Jake Coven (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Johnny Mince (cl), Joe Gudice (ts), Dick Katz (p), Vic Lewis (g,vcl), Charlie Short (b), Jack Parnell (d). Johnny's Idea/Wigmore Blues (vocal JL)/Ja Da/Wigmore Jump/Tea For Two/Ain't Misbehavin'/My Blue Heaven/Someday Sweetheart. Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen - June 9th, 1944 (Parlophone) Billy Riddick (tp,mel), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,sop), Derek Hawkins (cl,as), Dick Katz (p), Vic Lewis (g,vcl), Lou Nussbaum (b), Jack Parnell (d). Jazz Men Blues*^/Ja Da (vocal VL)*^/Why Begin Again*^/Sugar*^/I've Found A New Baby*. (*Upbeat CD - Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen 1944/45 - 'Swingin' The Blues') (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) August 29th, 1944 (Parlophone) Personnel as June 9th, except Bert Howard (b) replaces Lou Nussbaum. That's A Plenty*#/Ugly Child (vocal VL)*#/Dick's Boogie*^/Mop Mop*. (*Upbeat CD - Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen 1944/45 - 'Swingin' The Blues') (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) (#Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) October 24th, 1944 (Parlophone) Personnel as August 29th, except Cliff Townsend (cl,as) replacesDerek Hawkins. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (vocal VL)*/Get Happy*/Indiana*/Someday Sweetheart*. (*Upbeat CD - Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen 1944/45 - 'Swingin' The Blues') (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) |
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Vic Lewis Jam Session Vol-2 1945 The War Years - early February, 1945 (Harlequin) Don Jacoby (tp), Harry Roche (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Derek Hawkins (cl), Sam Donahue (ts), Rocky Coluccio (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). Sam's Blues (four takes)/Oh! Lady Be Good/Rose Room/Ghost Of A Chance. Vic Lewis Jam Session Vol-3 1945-1946 - BBC Swing session Broadcast February 13th, 1945 (*Harlequin) Billy Riddick (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,sop), Derek Hawkins (cl,as), Dick Katz (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Jack Parnell (d). Jazz Men Blues/Swing Session Blues (vcl VL)/Jack's Idea/I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jelly Roll*/Big Crash From China/Baby Won't You Please Come Home/She's Funny That Way/Sweet Georgia Brown/Singing The Blues/The Blues*. Vic Lewis and Sam Donahue's Navy Band - March 12th, 1945 (A.E.F. broadcast) Kenny Baker, Arthur Mouncey, Johnny Best (tp), Lad Busby, Woolf Phillips, Tak Takvorian (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop) Derek Hawkins (as,cl), Ralph LaPolla (cl), Aubrey Frank, Sam Donahue (ts), Pat Dodd, Rocky Coluccio (p), Vic Lewis, Lauderic Caton (g), Joe Nussbaum (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). Yellow Dog Blues*. Vic Lewis and Lauderic Caton (g). Blues In E*. (*Candid CD - Vic Lewis 'The Golden Years' 1938,1945 and 1946) Vic Lewis Jam Session - March 12th, 1945 (Harlequin/Esquire) Johnny Best (tp), Derek Hawkins (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,sop), Stephan Grapelly (vln,p(1)), Vic Lewis (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). I'ts The Talk Of The Town*/I Never Knew*/I Found A New Baby*/Tri-colour blues(1)*. (*Candid CD - Vic Lewis 'The Golden Years' 1938,1945 and 1946) Carlo Krahmer Chicagoans - March 12th, 1945 (Esquire) Johnny Best (tp), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Stephane Grappelly (vln,p), Vic Lewis (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). I've Found A New Baby/I Never Knew. (Both titles unissued until the 1980s - Carlo Krahmer memorial album ESQ306) Vic Lewis Jam Session - March 15th, 1945 (Harlequin/Esquire#) Johnny Best (tp), Aubrey Frank (ts), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b). Johnny's Blues*. Johnny Best (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl), Aubrey Frank (ts), Gerry Moore (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). Mean To Me*/#Down By The Old Mill Stream*/#Rosetta*. (*Candid CD - Vic Lewis 'The Golden Years' 1938,1945 and 1946) Carlo Krahmer Chicagoans - March 15th, 1945 (Esquire) Johnny Best (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as), Aubrey Frank (ts) Gerry Moore (p), Vic Lewis (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). Down By The Old Mill Stream/Rosetta. (Both titles unissued until the 1980s - Carlo Krahmer memorial album ESQ306) Carlo Krahmer Chicagoans - March, 1945 (Esquire) Don Jacoby (tp), Harry Roche (tb), Derek Hawkins (cl), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Sam Donahue (ts), Rocky Collucio (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Carlo Krahmer (d). S.D. Blues. (Unissued until the 1980s - Carlo Krahmer memorial album ESQ306) Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen - March 19th, 1945 (Parlophone/DJM#) Billy Riddick (tp,mel), Laddy Busby (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Derek Hawkins (cl,as), Dick Katz (p), Vic Lewis (g,vcl), Bert Howard (b), Jack Parnell (d). #At The Jazz Band Ball*/#Royal Garden Blues*/Singing The Blues*^/Prince Of Wails*^. (*Upbeat CD - Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell's Jazzmen 1944/45 - 'Swingin' The Blues') (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) When Jack Parnell left to join the new Ted Heath orchestra the band became Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen and they were the first British group to visit Europe after the war, visiting Denmark and Sweden... Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen - July 20th, 1945 (Parlophone/DJM#) Billy Riddick (tp), Frank Osborne (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Harry Singer (d). #Fidgety Feet/Dippermouth Blues/#Bluin' The Blues/Ballin' The Jack. Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen - August 8th, 1945 (BBC broadcast / Harlequin HQ3010) Billy Riddick (tp), Laurie Clarke (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Harry Singer (d). Riverboat Shuffle/Peg Of My Heart. (Five other titles were not issued on the Harlequin LP). Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen - August 22nd, 1945 (BBC broadcast / Harlequin HQ3010) Billy Riddick (tp), Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Bert Howard (b), Harry Singer (d). Copenhagen/Round About Eight (RC + rhythm only)/Etude In Red/Fidgety Feet. (Four other titles were not issued on the Harlequin LP). Through 1946 Lewis continued to record for a variety of labels as: Vic Lewis and his Sextet, with Ronnie Chamberlain (as) and Jimmy Skidmore (ts)... Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen, with Ronnie Chamberlain (as) and Jimmy Skidmore (ts)... Vic Lewis and his Sextet - January 5th, 1946 (Boosey & Hawk) Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Johnny Quest (b), Tony Lytton (d). N.R.C. Jump/It Might As Well Be Spring/Eager Beaver/Sergeant On A Furlough. Vic Lewis Jam Session - January 6th, 1946 (Harlequin HQ3010) Jimmy McPartland (cnt), Clarence Magnusson (cl), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Marian McPartland (p), Vic Lewis (g), Ken Batchelder (b), Joe Nardy (d), Gracie Scott (voc). I've Found A New Baby*/The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise*/Sweet Lorraine (vocal GS)*/Rose Room*/Blues*. Jimmy McPartland (cnt), Clarence Magnusson (cl), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Jerry Schwartz (p), Vic Lewis (g), John Quest (b), Tony Vitale (d). Jazz Me Blues*. Marion McPartland (p), Vic Lewis (g), John Quest (b), Tony Vitale (d). I Got Rhythm*. (*Candid CD - Vic Lewis 'The Golden Years' 1938,1945 and 1946) Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen - January 28th, 1946 (DJM) Reg Arnold (tp), Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Johnny Quest (b), Harry Singer (d). Strut Miss Lizzie/Tin Roof Blues/Smokey Mokes/Panama. Vic Lewis and his Sextet - probably May 5th, 1946 (Harlequin HQ3012) Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Ken Thorne (p), Vic Lewis (g), Johnny Quest (b), Tony Lytton (d). N.R.C. Jump/Eager Beaver/Sergeant On A Furlough. Having now heard recordings of the Stan Kenton big band and following discussions with his arranger and composer Ken Thorne, Vic Lewis formed his first big band in late 1946 to play music in the style of Stan Kenton. The music was very advanced for the time and led to the band being billed as "The music of Tomorrow by the band of Today". The band made it's debut on BBC Radio in November 1946. In December 1946 the band was recorded for the first time... Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - December 3rd and 6th, 1946 (Harlequin HQ3013) Ken Somerville, Jack Parker, Reg Arnold (tp), Alfie Reece, Ed Sweeny, Ruth Harrison (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as,bs), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Charles Granville (ts,cl), Ken Thorne (p), John Quest (b), Reg Swain (d), Helen Mack (vcl), Vic Lewis (voc,dir). I Love Again (vcl HM)/I Like To Riff (vcl VL)/It Might As Well Be Spring. In December 1946 Vic Lewis recorded for the Overseas Radio Broadcasting Servce in London. Of the twelve titles recorded three were later issued by DJM. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - December 17th, 1946. Ken Somerville, Jack Parker, Reg Arnold (tp), Alfie Reece, Ed Sweeny, Ruth Harrison (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore, Charles Granville (ts), Frank Holmes (bs), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Reg Swain (d), Helen Mack (vcl), Vic Lewis (vcl,dir). Blue Champagne/All Reet/I Love Again/I Like To Riff (vcl VL)/Strut Miss Lizzie/Apple Honey/Prelude To A Legend/Round About Eight/A Good Man Is Hard To Find (vcl VL)/Well Git It/Medley (Blue Champagne/It Might As Well Be Spring). January 30th, 1947. Personnel as December 17th, 1946. Making Whoopee (vcl VL)/Smiles/The Things We Did Last Summer (vcl HM). Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - March 1st, 1947 (Vic Lewis Society) Johnny Shakespeare, Jack Parker, Reg Arnold (tp), Alfie Reece, Ed Sweeny, Ruth Harrison (tb), Neal Saunders (frh), Laurie Saunders (f), Moss Kaye (oboe), Peter Howe, Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as), Jimmy Skidmore, Charles Granville (ts), Jerry Alvarez (or Frank Holmes) (bs), Frank Horrox (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Norman Burns (d), Helen Mack, Frank Holmes (vcl), Vic Lewis (dir). I Can't Get You Out Of My Mind (vcl FH)/Somewhere In The Night (vcl HM). Vic Lewis and his Jazzmen - March 23rd, 1947 (Esquire) Reg Arnold (tp), Laddie Busby (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Frank Holmes (bs), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). At The Jazz Band Ball/Pennies From Heaven. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - June 23rd, 1947 (Esquire#) Johnny Shakespeare, Vernon Thompson, Bunny Layzell (tp), Fred Mercer, Ed Sweeny, Ruth Harrison (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Charles Granville (ts,voc), Frank Holmes (bs, voc), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Darktown Poker Club (vocal VL)/#For You Alone*/Eindayz*/Summertime/Red Top. (*BMG CD - Vic Lewis - A Tribute to Stan Kenton) Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - November 24th, 1947 (Parlophone) Johnny Shakespeare, Vernon Thompson, Bunny Layzell (tp), Fred Mercer, Ed Sweeny, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Derek Knight (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Laura/When Your Lover Has Gone/Come Back To Sorrento/Artistry In Percussion. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 19th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3014) Johnny Shakespeare, Vernon Thompson, Bunny Layzell (tp), Fred Mercer, Ed Sweeny, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Skidmore, Derek Knight (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir), Stan Kenton (speaking-1). Stan Kenton Speaks-1/Balbao Bash. (Twelve other titles recorded have not been issued). Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - February 23rd, 1948 (Parlophone/DJM) Johnny Shakespeare, Vernon Thompson, Bunny Layzell, Billy Riddick (tp), Fred Mercer, Ed Sweeny, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Jimmy Walker, Ken Beckett (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Ken Thorne (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Too Fat Polka (vcl VL)/They Didn't Believe Me/Indian Summer/Body And Soul. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - March 15th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3013) Johnny Shakespeare, Vernon Thompson, Bunny Layzell, Billy Riddick (tp), Bill Sharp, Roy Bassett, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Peter Howe (cl,as), Jimmy Walker, Ken Beckett (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Frank Horrox (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Lynda Russell (vcl), Vic Lewis (dir). I Wish I Didn't Love You. March 30th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3013) Personnel as March 15th. Pat's Party/I Never Loved Anyone (vcl LR). April, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3013) Personnel as March 15th. You Do (vcl LR)/Bam Bam. May 5th, 1948 (BBC broadcast Harlequin HQ3014) Personnel as March 15th. Intermission Riff. May 28th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3014) Personnel as March 15th. Hep Boyd's. September 18th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3014) Personnel similar to March 15th. At Last. The tracks following were from a BBC Light Programme broadcast "Design for Dancing" Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - November 26th, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3014*/DJM) Johnny Shakespeare, Bunny Layzell, Hank Shaw, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Roy Bassett, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Ken Beckett (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Minor Riff*/The Folks Who Live On The Hill. The tracks following were from a film soundtrack for the film "Vengeance is Mine" Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - early December, 1948 (DJM) Johnny Shakespeare, Bunny Layzell, Hank Shaw, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Roy Bassett, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Ken Beckett (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir) + woodwinds and percussion. Vengeance Is Mine (part 1)/Vengeance Is Mine (part 2). Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - December 3rd, 1948 (Harlequin HQ3013) Johnny Shakespeare, Bunny Layzell, Hank Shaw, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Roy Bassett, Jimmy Wilson (tb), Peter Howe (cl,as), Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Ken Beckett (ts), Bill Collins (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Quest (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Body And Soul. Vic Lewis 1949 onwards Click here... |
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