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| Ken Moule discography... |
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Pianist Ken Moule was born in Barking, Essex in 1925 and like most of his contempories learned his craft in the British dance bands. He left the Johnny Dankworth Quartet to join Oscar Rabin in 1945. After working on the Queen Mary on the transatlantic route, in a band with Ronnie Scott and Johnny Dankworth, he worked with name bands including Jiver Hutchinson, Ken Mackintosh, Ambrose and other leading bands until he formed his septet in 1954. This was a two-tenor, baritone, trumpet and three rhythm group, its outstanding virtues were the Ellington tinged arrangements of its pianist leader. It had a fair amount of success, touring, broadcasting and recording for Decca. Internal friction brought about its downfall and Ken Moule gave up the band in May 1955 to form a trio and then briefly returning to Ambrose before joining Ted Heath's arranging staff. He continued limited freelance work with Don Rendell and the Jazz Today Unit. Moule was a neat arranger, his scores were orderly and melodic leaving room for jazz improvisation and in 1956 and 1957 he assembled a hand picked 'seven' to record two albums for Decca detailed below. |
From 1960 to 1966 he worked in the theatre as musical director for Lionel Bart successful shows Things Ain't What They Used To Be and Twang. He continued to write for the theatre and another piece was recorded by the London Jazz Chamber Group. He worked as a composer/arranger in Germany during the late 1970s until ill health made him move to the warmer climate of Spain. He died in Marbella, Spain in 1986. (Photo supplied by Michael Bilsbrough) Brian Reynolds adds (via email) that: "Ken Moule and his Music broadcast frequently during the '60s, appearing regularly in 'Morning Music' and 'Late Night Extra'. From the off-air recordings I have of the orchestra, it would appear to be a large string orchestra, plus clarinet, accordion, xylophone, piano and rhythm. Ken Moule later formed a combination called 'The Full Score' with which he broadcast and recorded. Ken was also the pianist for the restaurant scenes in the television series, 'Secret Army' and was in many episodes". |
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Ken Moule Seven - September 20th, 1954 (Esquire) Dave Usden (tp), Keith Barr, Roy Sidwell (ts), Don Cooper (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Lennie Breslaw (d), Cab Kaye (voc)*. Jelly Jelly Blues*/When I Hear That Conga Drum*/Bensonality/Hallelujah. Ken Moule Six - October 30th, 1954 (Decca LK4087) Dave Usden (tp), Keith Barr, Roy Sidwell (ts), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Lennie Breslaw (d). Waterloo Bridge/Hallelujah/I'm Beginning To See The Light. (*Jasmine CD - Modern Jazz At The Royal Festival Hall - 1954) Ken Moule Seven - February 22nd, 1955 (Decca EP6261* others Decca 78) Dave Usden (tp), Keith Barr, Roy Sidwell (ts), Don Cooper (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Lennie Breslaw (d). Times A-wastin*/Get Happy*/Main Stem/High Lift/Get Happy (unissued). Ken Moule Seven - February 28th, 1955 (Decca EP6261) Dave Usden (tp), Keith Barr, Roy Sidwell (ts), Don Cooper (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Lennie Breslaw (d). Sauce Accra (unissued)/Mood Indigo/Chelsea Bridge. Jazz Today Unit - November 10th, 1956 (Decca LK4180) (JM0657) George Chisholm, Keith Christie (tb), Geoff Taylor (as), Jimmy Walker (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Dave Shephard (cl), Jimmy McKenzie (vib), Ken Moule (p), Ken Sykora (g), Lennie Bush (b), Allan Ganley (d). Swingin' The Blues*/Doggin' Around*. (*Vocalion CD - Third Festival of British Jazz - 1956) George Chisholm-Keith Christie Quartet - November 10th, 1956 (Decca LK4180) (JM0657) George Chisholm, Keith Christie (tb), Ken Moule (p), Lennie Bush (b), Allan Ganley (d). Ja-Da*. (*Vocalion CD - Third Festival of British Jazz - 1956) Ken Moule Arranges For: - November 22nd, 1956 (Decca LK 4192) Leon Calvert (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d). Son Of Ponckle*/Nice Work If You Can Get It*/Prelude To A Kiss*. (*Vocalion CD - Jazz At Toad Hall/Ken Moule Arranges For) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Ken Moule Arranges For: - December 6th, 1956 (Decca LK4192) Leon Calvert (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d). You've Done Something To My Heart*/Makin Whopee*. (*Vocalion CD - Jazz At Toad Hall/Ken Moule Arranges For) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Don Rendell Jazz Six - January 15th, 1957 (Don Rendell presents the Jazz Six - Nixa NJL7) Kenny Wheeler (tp), Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (as,bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Don Lawson (d). Jack O'Lantern*/Will O' The Wisp*/I Saw Stars*/Limehouse Blues*. (*Vocalion CD - Don Rendell presents the Jazz Six / Tenorama Highlights) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Don Rendell Six Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Ken Moule Arranges For: - January 17th, 1957 (Decca) Leon Calvert (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d). Lullaby Of The Leaves*/The Tired Badger*/Cobbly*/Lulu's Back In Town*/My Funny Valentine*/High Ratio*. (*Vocalion CD - Jazz At Toad Hall/Ken Moule Arranges For) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Don Rendell Jazz Six - January 18th and 31st, 1957 (Don Rendell presents the Jazz Six - Nixa NJL7) Kenny Wheeler(#only), Bert Courtley (tp), Don Rendell (ts), Ronnie Ross (as,bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Don Lawson (d). Out Of Nowhere#*/Ignis Fatuus*/Star Eyes^*/I Know Why*/Takin' A Chance On Love*. (^Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) (*Vocalion CD - Don Rendell presents the Jazz Six / Tenorama Highlights) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Don Rendell Six Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Ken Moule's Music - January 28th/February 4th, 1958 (Decca LK4261) Leon Calvert (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Dickie Hawdon (ten-h), Johnny Scott, Roy Willox(or Derek Grossmith) (f), Dougie Robinson (as), Bob Efford (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Bob Edwards (tu), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d). Messin' About In Boats*#/Mr.Toad*/Mouse Carol*/Wind In The Willows*. (*Vocalion CD - Jazz At Toad Hall/Ken Moule Arranges For) (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Ken Moule's Music - February 11th/13th, 1958 (Decca LK4261) Leon Calvert (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Bob Efford, Art Ellefson(or Johnny Scott) (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ken Moule (p), Arthur Watts (b), Allan Ganley (d). The Boy Friend*/Fishin' The Blues*/Will O'-The Wisp*/Poor Arthur*/Blue Grass*. (*Vocalion CD - Jazz At Toad Hall/Ken Moule Arranges For) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) |
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