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this page first published by John Wright, 29 March 2004
last update 2 December 2004vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk
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December 2004
American musicians who visited Britain in the 1920's-1930's
| Much research has been published on the activities and recordings made in Britain by American negro bands during the 1920's. These bands played hot jazz at various clubs in London. Less-well researched are the visits by the American hotel dance bands and smaller bands, mainly white, who were also visiting Britain at that time. Dates and personnel can be found by searching ship passenger lists and contemporary press. Some research on the Southern-Rag-A-Jazz band has already been published on this website which led to contact with a musician's family in USA who had photographs. It is hoped we can have a similar success with regard to other American dance bands, for example those of Vincent Lopez, Isham Jones, Ted Lewis, Paul Whiteman, Paul Specht etc
My colleagues Joe Moore and Mike Thomas are preparing webpages for some of the American dance bands who visited Britain and you can see the progress at Visiting American Bands | |
October 2004
Ted Heath - This Is Your Life
| I thought dance band fans might want to see several very special photos which Dick Starita sent to me. They were taken during filming of a This Is Your Life TV programme from 1959, devoted to British bandleader Ted Heath. Ted had played in Al Starita's Kit Cat Band in 1925-1928 and must have been astounded when Al Starita turned up at the TV studios in London over 30 years later: | |
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| BBC TELEVISION SERVICE 26.1.59
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - subject: TED HEATH First and second photos: Ted Heath, Principal Subject of "This Is Your Life" 26.1.59 listens while Al Starita (who was flown to London from Florida especially for the programme) relates some past incidents when he and the Principal Subject played in the same band. Eammon Andrews, compere, stands by with the script. |
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| Third photo:
Ted Heath, principal subject of This Is Your Life: 26.1.59 surrounded by his family and many friends who appeared on the programme. from left to right: Paul Carpenter, Dickie Valentine, Mrs. Moira Heath, Mr. Al Starita, Charles Holt, Ted Heath, Martin Heath, Bob Heath, Valerie heath, Raymond Heath. Front row: Timothy and Nicholas Heath. In the background are members of the Foden's Motor Works Band. |
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August 2004
Starita family contacted
| Very excited to say that we have been contacted by the Starita family. Record collectors and fans of dance bands will be familiar with the names of Al, Ray and Rudy Starita, all Italian-Americans and all important musicians in the British dance band scene. So it was with some surprise that I was contacted by the daughter of Julio Starita. Julio was previously unknown to me, because he is not listed as having made records, but Julio too was active in the Britsh dance band scene. His daughter Barbara Starita-Vincent wrote: "I am the younger daughter of the youngest Starita brother, Julio, who was also a musician. Dad played sax and piano. He sailed to London to play in his big brother Ray's band in the early thirties and then traveled to Johannesburg, So. Africa where he lived and played music for a couple of years. I believe dad and his band were employed by a large hotel. Eventually he returned to the states where he met my mother Dorothy. Dad, the last surviving member of his family passed away September 2001. He was 88 and had a very interesting and long life".
AL STARITA In 1921 the Starita brothers formed a band in the Boston, USA area. 1934-1941: Played primarily in New England and New York. Mentioned playing frequently at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. 1942-1943: Went on tour with the USO in the States. Played for several bands including the Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. When he was with Carmen Cavallero he played in Florida and loved it so much he decided to move here. The bus stopped in West Palm Beach - he got off! 1944-1960: Led society orchestras and small combos. Played many war benefit gigs in Florida. Played for the Vice-President at a huge ball. Settled down with a large orchestra at the Pennsylvania Hotel in West Palm Beach for a few years. Formed a small combo and a permanent gig at the Okeechobee Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach right where the present Kravit Center stands today. He featured his big bass sax - people came from all around to hear it. Stayed there until his death. Al always had a day job:
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