Savoy Orpheans 1925..Oh that sweet in suite 16..

The Savoy Hotel from 1916 to 1920 had a ragtime quartette for it's entertainment..Wilfred de Mornys (a music entrepreneur who had bought the ODJ Band to London to play at his venues,Hammersmith Plaise and Rectors in Regents Street) suggested to management that they liven up the hotel's music policy..He was promptly awarded the job of music director with unlimited budget..De Mornys enrolled Bert Ralton and his Havana Band to play at the hotel which they did from 1921 to 1927..After 2 very successful years,he decided to bring in another band,and from 1923 to 1927 The Savoy Orpheans played at the ballroom...In 1926 de Mornys still thought there was room for another band and The Bostonians (later the Sylvians) played from 1926 to 27.
How on earth was there room or time for 3 bands to play at the same venue l hear you ask...Well the Bostonians (Staritas and Gibbons and Howard Jacobs all from Boston) played at teatime without brass instruments and in the parlour (not in the ballroom) The Savoy Havana Band played early evening approx 7pm to 10pm and the Orpheans were the main act playing 10pm until 1 or 2 am)
The only player of the 3 bands that went on to international recognition and success was someone that came and went without so much as a whimper as a sax man for the Orpheans..He tried to sing one night on stage and was quickly told to stick to sax playing as his nasal style of singing was awful...His name was Rudy Vallee and he could not wait to return to America as England was not to his liking.
De Mornys held the band contracts and to his frustration grew as the hotel management were very reluctant to allow tours or outside live performances..Thus the bands huge popularity,through records and radio could not be exploited through live concerts..Therefore de Mornys terminated the bands contracts with the Savoy Hotel and they left on Dec 31st 1927..The bands were free agents and the Orpheans headed off for an extensive tour of Germany..It was the end of an important era within the British 1920s.
During the early 1920s the Bands were paid some of the world's highest wages,until Whiteman got going.The bands recorded extensively and even the Bostonians made several records.
They were Europe's finest bands from 1921 to 1927 playing in a vigorous and joyous manner.They also had a unique sound that came to personify the British and Europeans Roaring 20s sound.
This recording in typical of their output..Fast,furious and robust..The stunning trumpet work is by Vernon Ferry who played with the Orpheans from their onset in 1923..In 1926 the bands policy was to use top American players for the Trumpet seat..He was shunted over to the Havana Band where he also excelled..
The Orpheans regarded themselves as one of the world's finest and they were keen to further show their prowess by recording 6 titles in an out and out black American jazz style..They used the name The Savoy Hotheads..The records were passed for release,but the record executives got cold feet and the records were never released..No test pressings have ever showed up..A big shame,don't you agree...

Category:

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• Savoy
• Orpheans
• Havana
• Band
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• Sylvians
• Bostonians
• British
• Dance
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• 1920s
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[JohnnnyW]

Hi David, yes a great recording. Again may I correct a few things..... the band's director on that recording was Debroy Somers who you haven't mentioned. The lead trumpet player from 1923-mid 1926 was Vernon Ferry. And on htis recording the main solo work is from the trombone player, George Chaffin.

[davidglow3]

@JohnnnyW l don't know why but l have always confused Frank Worrel with Vernon Ferry so thanks for correction..However the trumpet on this record is the main soloist not the trombone...l did not mention Debroy Somers as l personally thought it not that important

[davidglow3]

@JohnnnyW Can you read through all the other notes on my uploads to check for any corrections Thanks

[JohnnnyW]

Hi David, thanks for response. As well as being the conductor/director it's likely that Debroy Somers would have written out the music arrangement. Yes the trumpet solos early on but there's a lot of trombone too :o) Yes I'll check out your other uploads and notes. All good music!

[bill3murr]

stompin' my tootsies...great fun. thank you for sharing.