Cool Blends (V) ★ British Panorama (I)

Soho After Dark

London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene

During the 1950s and 1960s, the United Kingdom developed a thriving jazz scene that absorbed the influence of American cool jazz and West Coast jazz. The combination of sophisticated arrangements, counterpoint, smooth tones, and chamber music influences resonated deeply with several British composers and performers.

However, to understand how this refined sound germinated on the other side of the Atlantic, one must look to the urban labyrinth of Central London. As British music journalist Roy Carr noted, the London nightlife of those years was a snapshot of a time, now long gone, when London’s Soho square mile almost rivalled New York's 52nd Street and L.A.'s Central Avenue for musical excitement.

That "insatiable hunger for Modern Jazz", which caught fire just before Christmas in 1948 at the legendary Club Eleven on Great Windmill Street, took on a distinct identity within the British scene. The aesthetic was no mere carbon copy: stylistically, the music performed revealed influences that encompassed East Coast Hard Bop, Cu-Bop, and West Coast Cool, but importantly, all were delivered in an unmistakable local accent.

The high technical caliber of British soloists was so striking that visiting American jazz giants offered unreserved praise and eagerness to collaborate. In 1959, Woody Herman assembled an impressive lineup of local heroes—including Ronnie Ross, Don Rendell, Kenny Wheeler, and Bert Courtley—to form his Anglo-American Herd. That same year, the Modern Jazz Quartet toured with Joe Harriott and Ronnie Ross as special guests, while bandleaders like Stan Kenton routinely hired players such as Harry Klein, Tommy Whittle, or Rendell to dep for absent sidemen.

This installment of Cool Blends explores the studios, basements, and legendary clubs of Soho—from the 100 Club on Oxford Street to The Flamingo on Wardour Street, and Ronnie Scott’s newly opened cellar on Gerrard Street—through a mix of studio sessions and live dates to discover how British musicians translated the subtlety, balance, and poise of the cool jazz movement into an essential chapter of European jazz. *(taken from Roy Carr's liner notes)*

Subtitled "London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene" — a genre not too well covered even by most in-depth modern jazz histories — this two-CD compilation has two and a half hours of British jazz from 1949-1960. That's almost as much music as a double CD can hold, and while experts on the style will no doubt be aware of much worthy material that didn't make the cut, this would seem to be a good overview or introduction to this relatively little-studied corner of '50s jazz. A few of the names might be familiar to the serious jazz fan, like Ronnie Scott, Johnny Dankworth, Ted Heath, Don Rendell, Tony Crombie (unfortunately not represented by "Eastern Journey", upon which the Who based "Cobwebs and Strange"), Tubby Hayes, and Tito Burns (though he's more renowned as a pop manager/promoter than a musician). But it's safe to say that even the typical well-schooled jazz listener will have encountered few if any of these tracks before. While jazz is justly thought of as a primarily American idiom, however, this is a highly respectable and diverse collection of 35 tracks in various styles, from swing and bop to cool and Latin-influenced. It might be a bit more reserved than the most renowned recordings in these areas, and not heavily colored by (as U.K. rock of the 1960s was) a particularly British character. Yet it can hold its own with the jazz music being made across the ocean during the same era, occasionally going into some odd but interesting detours like Dankworth's cinematic "African Waltz" (a U.K. Top Ten hit), the Stan Tracey Trio's vibe-heavy "Free", and the Afro-Cuban jazz in Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists' "Mango Walk". Some more in-depth detail and context in the liner notes would have been nice, but overall it's a surprisingly interesting and entertaining survey. *(All Music Guide)*

*CD 1*

1 - Second Eleven

(Dankworth)

Johnny Dankworth Club XI Quartet

Johnny Dankworth (alto sax), Norman Stenfalt (piano),

Joe Muddel (bass), Laurie Morgan (drums).

London, April 27, 1949

2 - 52nd Street Theme

(Monk)

Ronnie Scott Club XI Boptet

Ronnie Scott (tenor sax), Denis Rose (trumpet), Johnny Rogers (alto sax),

Tommy Pollard (piano), Lennie Bush (bass), Tony Crombie (drums), Ginger Johnson (bongos).

London, April 9, 1949

 

3 - Mango Walk

(Graham)

Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists

Jo Hunter (trumpet), Kenny Graham (tenor sax), Jack Honeyborne (piano),

Roy Plummer (guitar), Cliff Ball (bass), Dickie Devere (drums, percussion).

London, February 10, 1951

4 - Festival Hall

(Hall)

Tito Burns and His Sextet

Tito Burns (accordion), Albert Hall (trumpet), Jimmy Chester (alto sax),

Rex Morris (tenor sax), Ronnie Price (piano), Coleridge Goode (bass), Derek Price (drums).

London, July 12, 1951

5 - The Slider

(Wise, Raeburn, Temple)

Johnny Dankworth Seven

Johnny Dankworth (alto sax), Don Rendell (tenor sax),

Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet), Eddie Harvey (trombone),

Bill Le Sage (piano), Eric Dawson (bass), Tony Kinsey (drums). 

London, July 12, 1951

6 - Catherine Wheel

(Parnell)

Jack Parnell and His Orchestra

Jimmy Deuchar, Albert Hall, Jo Hunter (trumpets); Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (trombones);

Derek Humble (alto sax); Ronnie Scott, Pete King (tenor saxes); Harry Klein (baritone sax);

Max Harris (piano), Sammy Stokes (bass), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (drums).

London, October, 1952

7 - The Champ

(Gillespie)

The Ronnie Scott Jazz Group

Ronnie Scott (tenor sax), Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet), Ken Wray (trombone),

Derek Humble (alto sax), Pete King (tenor sax), Benny Green (baritone sax),

Norman Stenfalt (piano), Lennie Bush (bass), Tony Crombie (drums).

London, December 1, 1952

8 - Hi-Ya Mr Jackson

(Jackson)

Tony Hall's Hall Stars

Jo Hunter (trumpet), Joe Temperley (tenor sax),

Kenny Napper (piano), Sammy Stokes (bass), Phil Seamen (drums). 

London, January, 1954

9 - Mambo Macoco

(Puente)

The Kirchin Band

Murray Campbell, Frank Donlan, Dougie Arthur, Norman Baren (trumpets);

Bryan Hayden (alto sax); Johnny Marshall, John Xerri (tenor saxes);

George Robinson (baritone sax); Johnny Patrick (piano);

Ronnie Seabrook (bass); Basil Kirchin (drums), Ivor Kirchin (conductor).

London, September, 1954

10 - Swinghouse

(Mulligan)

Vic Lewis and His Orchestra

Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Johnny Brown, Trevor Lannigan (trumpets);

John Watson, Rusty Hurren, Andy Wilson, Alec Gould (trombones);

Ronnie Chamberlain, Bernard Allen (alto saxes); Brian Gray, Howard Morgan (tenor saxes);

Brian Rodgerson (baritone sax); Red Mitchell (piano),

Len Edwards (bass), Andy White (drums).

London, January 9, 1955

11 - 'Bang!'

(Reece)

Dizzy Reece Quintet

Dizzy Reece (trumpet), Sammy Walker (tenor sax),

Tony Crombie (piano), Lennie Bush (bass), Phil Seamen (drums).

London, May 16, 1955

12 - Cool Sparks

(Rendell)

Don Rendell Quintet

Don Rendell (tenor sax), Ronnie Ross (baritone sax),

Damian Robinson (piano), Sammy Stokes (bass), Benny Goodman (drums).

London, May 16, 1955

13 - Kings Cross Climax

(Graham)

Ted Heath and His Music

Bobby Pratt, Duncan Campbell, Bert Ezzard, Eddie Blair (trumpets);

Wally Smith, Don Lusher, Jimmy Coombes, Ric Kennedy (trombones); 

Leslie Gilbert, Roy Willox (alto saxes); Henry Mackenzie (clarinet, tenor sax);

Danny Moss (tenor sax); Ken Kiddier (baritone sax); 

Frank Horrox (piano); Johnny Hawksworth (bass); Ronnie Verrell (drums).

London, February 14, 1955

14 - Cottontail

(Ellington)

Keith Christie Quartet

Keith Christie (trombone), Johnny Dankworth (alto sax),

Bill Sutcliffe (bass), Allan Ganley (drums).

London, July 26, 1955

15 - 'Early Morning'

(Le Sage)

Vic Ash Quartet

Vic Ash (clarinet), Terry Shannon (piano),

Pete Elderfield (bass), Benny Goodman (drums).

London, February 18, 1956

16 - Fascinating Rhythm

(Gershwin)

Tony Kinsey Trio with Joe Harriott

Joe Harriott (alto sax), Bill Le Sage (vibes),

Sammy Stokes (bass), Tony Kinsey (drums).

London, December 9, 1954

17 - It Don't Mean A Thing

(Ellington)

Tony Kinsey Trio with Joe Harriott

Joe Harriott (alto sax), Bill Le Sage (piano),

Eric Dawson (bass), Tony Kinsey (drums).

London, May 17, 1955

18 - Brawl For All

(Feldman)

Victor Feldman Septet

Victor Feldman (vibes); Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece (trumpets);

Derek Humble (alto sax); Tommy Pollard (piano);

Lennie Bush (bass); Phil Seamen (drums).

London, August 18, 1955

19 - Ten Bar Gait

(Whittle)

Tommy Whittle Quintet

Tommy Whittle (tenor sax), Harry Klein (baritone sax),

Dill Jones (piano), Joe Muddel (bass), Eddie Taylor (drums).

London, March 22, 1955

20 - Message To The Messengers

(South)

Tubby Hayes Quintet

Tubby Hayes (tenor sax), Dickie Hawdon (trumpet),

Harry South (piano), Pete Elderfield (bass), Bill Eyden (drums).

London, July 17, 1956

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*CD 2*

1 - African Waltz

(MacFarland)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra

Dickie Hawdon, Kenny Wheeler, Gus Galbraith (trumpets);

Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey, Ian McDougall (trombones);

Johnny Scott (flute); Johnny Dankworth, Peter King (alto saxes);

Danny Moss, Art Ellefson (tenor saxes); George Tyndale (baritone sax);

Dudley Moore (piano), Spike Heatley (bass), Ronnie Stephenson (drums). 

London, July 2, 1960

2 - Cheek To Cheek

(Berlin)

The Jazz Couriers

Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (tenor saxes);

Terry Shannon (piano); Phil Bates (bass); Bill Eyden (drums).

London, February 16, 1958

3 - Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues

(Scott)

The Jazz Couriers

Ronnie Scott (tenor sax), Tubby Hayes (vibes),

Terry Shannon (piano), Phil Bates (bass), Bill Eyden (drums).

London, February 16, 1958

4 - Mirage

(Hayes)

The Jazz Couriers

Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (tenor saxes);

Terry Shannon (piano), Jeff Clyne (bass), Bill Eyden (drums).

London, November, 1958

5 - The Little Giant ║ Orient Line

(South)

Tubby Hayes and His Orchestra

Tubby Hayes (tenor sax); Mike Senn (alto sax); 

Jackie Sharpe (baritone sax); Ian Hamer, Dickie Hawdon (trumpets);

Harry South (piano); Pete Blannin (bass); Bill Eyden (drums).

London, February 18, 1956

6 - Minore

(Crombie)

Victor Feldman Modern Jazz Quartet

Victor Feldman (vibes), Tommy Pollard (piano),

Eric Peter (bass), Tony Crombie (drums).

London, September 12, 1955

7 - L'il O'l Pontsville

(Tracey)

Tony Crombie Jazz Inc. Orchestra

Leon Calvert, Les Condon (trumpets); Al Newman (clarinet, alto sax);

Bobby Wellins (tenor sax); Harry Klein (baritone sax);

Stan Tracey (piano); Kenny Napper (bass); Tony Crombie (drums).

London, January 5, 1960

8 - Little Klunk

(Tracey)

Stan Tracey Trio

Stan Tracey (piano), Kenny Napper (bass), Phil Seamen (drums).

London, May 22, 1959

9 - Free

(Tracey)

Stan Tracey Trio

Stan Tracey (vibes), Kenny Napper (bass), Phil Seamen (drums).

London, May 22, 1959

10 - Shepherd's Serenade

(Reece)

Dizzy Reece, Donald Byrd (trumpets); Tubby Hayes (tenor sax);

Terry Shannon (piano); Lloyd Thompson (bass); Art Taylor (drums).

London, August 24, 1958

11 - Wilton's Mood

(Gaynair)

Wilton "Bogey" Gaynair (tenor sax), Terry Shannon (piano),

Kenny Napper (bass), Bill Eyden (drums).

London, August 26, 1959

12 - Messin' About In Boats

(Moule)

Ken Moule's Music

Leon Calvert (trumpet); George Chisholm (trombone); 

Dickie Hawdon (tenor horn); Bob Edwards (tuba);

Johnny Scott, Roy Willox (flutes); Dougie Robinson (alto sax);

Bob Efford (tenor sax); Ronnie Ross (baritone sax);

Ken Moule (piano); Arthur Watts (bass); Allan Ganley (drums).

London, January 28, 1958

13 - Maenya

(Reece)

Victor Feldman Big Band

Jimmy Watson, Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece (trumpets); Ken Wray (trombone);

Derek Humble (alto sax); Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (tenor saxes);

Harry Klein (baritone sax); John Burden (french horn);

Jim Powell (tuba); Norman Stenfalt (piano);

Victor Feldman (vibes); Lennie Bush (bass); Phil Seamen (drums).

London, September 21, 1955

14 - Just Goofin'

(Harriott)

Tony Kinsey Quintet

Joe Harriott (alto sax), Bob Efford (tenor sax),

Bill Le Sage (piano), Pete Blannin (bass), Tony Kinsey (drums).

London, May 16, 1957

15 - The Colonel's Tune

(Dankworth)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra

Dickie Hawdon, Derek Abbott, Bob Carson, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright (trumpets);

Jack Botterill, Garry Brown, Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood (trombones);

Jim Powell (tuba); Johnny Scott (flute); Johnny Dankworth (alto sax);

Danny Moss (tenor sax, clarinet); Alex Leslie (baritone sax, clarinet);

Bill Le Sage (vibes); Dave Lee (piano); Eric Dawson (bass); Kenny Clare (drums).

London, June 20, 1958

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