Bert Firman at the Coda Club

this page first published by John Wright, 9 June 1999
last update 9 June 1999vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk

During the last few years of his life Bert Firman was befriended by Pete March and Guy Rowland, who regularly took Bert to the Coda Club meetings in London (for retired musicians) where Bert met old friends from the dance band days⁽¹⁾.

Photographs taken 1994-1996⁽²⁾

a bit of fun as Bert peeps through a Zonophone record sleeve:

(2) Photographs taken by:
Pete March	Guy Rowland

(1) Bert's dance band friends:

• George Elrick became drummer and vocalist with Henry Hall's band in 1935, then led his own band from 1937.
• Tommy McQuater played trumpet in several bands in the 1930's including Bert Ambrose, Phil Green, Jack Hylton, Lew Stone, and was in the RAF Dance Orchestra during WW11.
• Harry Hayes played clarinet and alto sax with several bands including Fred Elizalde, Bert Ambrose, Geraldo, Syd Lipton. Later Harry led his own band.
• Harry Gold played reeds with Roy Fox and Oscar Rabin bands, and was with Bert Firman at the Cafe Anglais. Harry led his Pieces of Eight well into the 1990's.
• Woolf Phillips played trombone with Ambrose and Jack Hylton.
• Guitarist Ivor Mairants and reed player Billy Amstell sat together in the Ambrose and Geraldo bands. Ivor was with Bert Firman at the Cafe De Paris in 1939.