The Cool Britons - February 3 1951
For 74 years the Melody Maker was the weekly 'trade paper' for the dance band and jazz musician as well as all those interested in the modern music scene. One of it's continuing features and talking points were the annual Readers Polls where readers voted under different categories for individual musicians, singers, big bands and a host of other categories. Esquire Records used these poll results to form and record hand picked modern jazz groups. Esquire recorded the Melody Maker All Stars as they were called, from 1951 until 1955. The first "Waxin' the Winners" record was a success and with the close co-operation of the Melody Maker editor Pat Brand the records became an annual event.
From Brian Davis' sleeve notes to Esq S321: It must be remembered that fans in those days, (the early 1950s), had an advantage no longer with us; the working big band was still in our midst. Many had regular BBC broadcasts (though less so the overtly jazz outfits), there were also the one-night stands as they toured the country's ballrooms and palais-de-dances where fans became familiar with the band's style and it's soloists. Ted Heath had the famous Sunday Swing Concerts at the London Palladium and some of the more enterprising local cinemas put on big band Sunday shows. So by and large the voters (readers) electing their top musician, swing band, sweet band or Latin band, knew what they liked and recognised quality.
Carlo Krahmer and Peter Newbrook of Esquire decided to record a band based on the 1950 Poll Winners. The 1950 winners were announced in the February 3rd, 1951 issue of the Melody Maker although Carlo had already contacted each section winner. Musician of the Year, John Dankworth, worked through the night preparing two numbers and then joined the other winners in the studio on February 3rd to make the record. The group contained nine winners and two runner-ups (Henry MacKenzie deputising for Sid Phillips, and Gordon Langhorn for Jackie Armstrong). The 78 Esquire disc 10-115 was on sale five days later!
Leased from Esquire Records
Session Information
Kenny Baker, trumpet; Gordon Langhorn, trombone; Henry McKenzie, clarinet; Ronnie Chamberlain, soprano sax; Johnny Dankworth, alto sax; Ronnie Scott, tenor sax; Dave Shand, baritone sax #1; Victor Feldman, vibes; Ralph Sharon, piano; Ivor Mairants, guitar; Charlie Short, bass; Jack Parnell, drums.
London, England, February 3, 1951
SSS-7-126, Brand's Essence (as Birdland Bounce), Blue Note 1611, Blue Note 5019
SSS-7-127, Marshall's Plan (as Leapin' In London), Blue Note 1611, Blue Note 5019
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