Phoenix Jazz Band -"Dusty Rag"

In the early 1950's London's traditional Jazz scene was very much affected by the Crane River Jazz Band, an amateur group which played in the then very popular N.O. Revival style. When certain members wanted to "go more professional" there was a split-up. One outcome was the formation of the Chris Barber Band. The members wanting to stay 'amateur' included Ray Orpwood (tbn.) who joined with other enthusiastic amateurs to form the Phoenix Jazz Band.
This is the earliest recording of theirs I can find. It was recorded in "The White Hart" (a pub in Acton, London) in early 1954.
The line-up is Vic Roberts tpt. Geoff Kemp clt. Ray Orpwood tmb. Phil Dearle pno. Len Page bjo. Don Smith bss. and Arthur Fryatt dms.
The photograph shows, L to R, Geoff, Arthur, Vic, Don, Ray and Phil. and was taken circa 1953.
The recording, of course, suffers from the limited technology available to amateurs in those days, but I hope it will be of interest to some others of my generation!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jazz
• Revival
• NewOrleans

[rayebee]

Im confused I use to go to the pheonix club.was this the crane river jazz band who played there.I can remember going to the Kingsbury Swimming pool,Where the CR Jazz band in the 1950s

[MoleDFigg]

Don't know of a "Phoenix Club", but if you mean 44 Gerrard St. in Soho, the answer is yes.

[Steve6337]

Did this band play in a basement in Gerrard Street Soho in about 1954?

[MoleDFigg]

Yes, it certainly did -number 44 to be precise.

[COLYERFAN]

I like it takes me back

[poutitechatte]

I didn't know this band. That's a great discovery. Thank you so much for posting these gems.

[knulla08]

The trumpetist's is aping Bunk Johnson.

[RobeGre]

I'm sure that Ken in one of his letters home from New Orleans mentions Vic Roberts in admiring terms. Whatever happened to him?

[callitwhat]

bill brunskill played 44 gerrard st in 52 also he played at the fighting cocks kingston o t on a sunday night, arthur fryatt was with him along with don coe banjo and "punchy" wrenn piano

[callitwhat]

those were great memories even earlier arthur fryatt who worked for s t c played semi with bill brunskill also a fellow called lonnie donegan had a band, prior to tea chests and broomsticks

[golcowie]

bardzo ok.

wesoło i kolorowo.

pozdrawiam

Pablo

Golec Orkiestra

[mahoganyhall]

A good band with Crane River and Colyer/early Barber influences. I wondered what had happened to Ray Orpwood .. he did well with this band. I like Vic Roberts too.