Jazz
Alan Elsdon (tp, vc)
Cy Laurie (cl)
John Davies (tb)
Alan Thomas (pno)
Brian Munday (bjo)
Stan Leader (bs)
Ron McKay (dm)
Ted Ramm (pno)
Graham Stewart (tb)
Alex Revell (cl Alan Root)
Jim Forey (bjo, gtr)
Johnny Johnson (bs)
Pete Mawford (dm)
Ian McKerrow (cl)
Terry Lightfoot (cl)
Phil Rhodes (tb)
Paddy Lightfoot (bjo)
Vic Barton (bjo)
Jimmy Garforth (dm)
John Barnes (cl)
Arthur Wood (pno)
Johnny Barton (bjo. vc)
Mick Gilligan (bs)
Colin Bowden (dm)
Lennie Hastings (dm)
Clinton Ford (vc)
Ron Drake (cl, ten sx)
Campbell Burnap (tb)
Brian Leake (pno)
John Attwood (bjo, gtr)
John Armatage (dm)
CY LAURIE'S JAZZ BAND: Here Comes The Hot Tamale Man; Irish Black Bottom; Beale Street Blues; GRAHAM STEWART SEVEN: Roll Along Prairie Moon; Song Of The Swanee; Savoy Blues; Just Gone; Black Bottom Stomp;Weatherbird Rag; Sunset Cafe Stomp. TERRY LIGHTFOOT'S NEW ORLEANS JAZZMEN: Muscrat Ramble; Black & Blue; Everybody Loves My Baby; Song Of The Volga Boatmen. ALAN ELSDON & HIS BAND: Palesteena; I Used to Love You; 12th Street Rag; Pretty Baby; Scotty; Lovely Rita
Alan Elsdon started playing the trumpet at the age of seventeen. He became a member of The Riverside Jazz Band playing the pubs and clubs of his native west London. He got the opportunity to sit in with various bands and came to the notice of Cy Laurie. At the time Cy was a force to be reckoned with in British traditional jazz circles. He was running a highly successful club at Great Windmill Street in London's West End and was recording for the prestigious independent jazz label, Esquire. It was December 1954 and Alan was barely twenty years old. He was playing with considerably maturity and drive. Today Alan divides his time between his own band and guesting with other bands. He is a modest, friendly man with a good sense of fun. What does shine through on all the tracks on this CD from the very first to the last is the firm, definite lead provided by Alan. The repertoire here reflects the policy of the various groups but whether it is the 1920s classic jazz repertoire of King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton, the mid 1930s popular idiom Roll Along Prairie Moon through the sophistication of Roy Eldridge to the unusual jazz choices of Song Of The Volga Boatman and Lennon & McCartney's Lovely Rita, Alan shows that he understands the trumpeter's role in a band - he is one of the chosen few who really does know how to lead a band! - Paul Adams
Alan Elsdon
Alan ElsdonBorn 15th October 1934 in Chiswick, London. Jazz critics and fans alike have heaped praise on Alan Elsdon ever since he first appeared on the British Scene. His approach to Jazz Trumpet playing was instantly recognisable. Deeply rooted in New Orleans, it has elements of the Swing Era, with dashes of Charlie Shavers, Roy Eldridge and Henry "Red" Allen. Starting out on trumpet at 16 years of age, he studied under Tommy Mcquater and Freddy Staff. At 19 he joined Cy Laurie''s Band, he did a compulsory stint in the Fighter Command Band, and started broadcasting extensively with Graham Stewart''s Seven on leaving the Air Force. The next big step was a long innings with Terry Lightfoot. Not really happy with the excesses of the British Trad Boom, he formed his own band, which has become a bye word for high class musicianship. Alan pursues a solo career as well as running his Band, guesting with various groups all over the country. He is a member of Neville Dickie''s Rhythmakers and toured Canada with them. |
