The Piccadilly Players - I've Never Seen A Smile Like Yours, 1929

The Piccadilly Players (Under the Direction by Al Starita) with Vocal Trio - I've Never Seen A Smile Like Yours, Columbia 1929
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NOTE: In the history of hot dance bands of 1920s, two exquisite dance bands called Piccadilly (or The Piccadilly) Players have to be mentioned. One was the American dance orchestra - a house band for the Edison label, directed by Mel (Melville) Morris. Quite a few recordings of that excellent orchestra can be found in YT.
The other was the British band, conducted by clarinetist Al Starita. He was formerly a member of Jack Hylton's famous dance orchestra, that played in one of best London West End night clubs - The Kit-Cat Club, in Haymarket. Hylton was engaged in numerous artistical occupations, and he often let Al Starita take over and conduct the band in his place, when the night was very busy.

It's how, in the end of 1920s, the new dance band was born in London - The Piccadilly Players, that started recording for Columbia also as The Piccadilly Revels Band (conducted by Al's brother, Ray Starita).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Roaring
• Twenties
• 1920
• London
• United
• Kingdom
• Al
• Starita
• British
• dance
• band
• jazz
• age
• 78rpm
• Jack
• Hylton

[jazzgirl1920s]

Thanks for the picture of Bessie Love and Anita Page at 0:27. Sadly Anita Page passed away last year. Probably one of the last silent film stars who was still living. I was lucky enough to meet her at a movie collectibles show in Hollywood called the Cinicon-Cinema Collectors Convention- when she was a guest there.

[fatsfan70]

Who could watch this parade of smiles and listen to such smiley music without a big smile on their own face - impossible!

[genia106]

Love the song...love the smiling beauties....love Jadwiga the BEST and I really love Loretta Young..who was born on my birthdate....JANUARY 6..... :-) and it is the date of the "Three Kings." My mother always said they brought me...:-)))) And that is why I am a "PRINCIPESSA!"

[Victrolaman1]

Doc,where do you get the time to dig up all those wonderful photos?.I went to visit my 91 year old Uncle in the Hospital today and his nurse was from Poland.

[EdisonSquirrel]

Vibrant dance tune and beautiful vocal harmony!

[phredl]

Great song! Great pictures! But I'm still waiting for a picture of Madge Evans.