Max Jaffa - Czardas

Max Jaffa (28 December 1911 - 30 July 1991) was a British light orchestral violinist and bandleader who established a reputation in the field of light music which was unparalleled in Britain.

From his first lessons off London's Tottenham Court Road in the centre of the rag trade (his father was a tailor), he knew that he was to be a violinist, and even through his years at the Guildhall School of Music he was playing professionally. Starting by accompanying silent films, he soon moved on to terrace teas and then to Lyons Corner House, to hotels like the Piccadilly, clubs like Ciro's, society dance bands, to South America on a luxury liner and recording for films - the whole light music scene of the twenties and thirties. In addition, he was performing classical music, leading the Scottish Orchestra, taking part in a concert tour with opera singer Joseph Hislop, playing chamber music and giving recitals.

After a dangerous wartime interlude, notably as a ferry pilot, he returned to radio shows (including the Palm Court) and recording - he seems to have led virtually every ensemble performing light music - and then to live TV. And, as well as concerts on cruise liners, there was Scarborough every summer for twenty-seven years, where he built an enormous following of fans from all over the world.

Max Jaffa took his 'light' music and musicianship very seriously. His kind of music - neither serious nor 'pop', dance band nor jazz, but a little bit of everything - offered listeners a varied repertoire to enjoy.

This track, 'Czardas' is taken from 'Max Jaffa with The Palm Court Orchestra & His Concert Orchestra & Trio' (EMI 1991) and is uploaded here to celebrate what would have been Max's 100th birthday.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Max Jaffa
• Scarborough

[nellisssima]

Lovely centenary performance...