1947
JIVE TONIGHT
Hot music’s deepest groove in years will lead to the Capitol to-night, when 8 leading bands will stage Perth’s first Jazz jamboree. Outstanding combinations of Merv Rowston, Chris Gosper, Sammy Sharp, John Stirling, Henry Cochrane, Ray Harley, Bill Kirkham and the Hounslow group will present a programme ranging from earliest jazz to modern and swing.Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 12 October 1947, page 11
1948
JAZZ JAMBOREE OF 1948
Capitol Theatre
Sunday Night October 31
eight leading bands led by
Merv Rowston, Sammy Sharp, Chris Gosper, Harry Bluck, Ron Jenkins, Bill Kirkham, Jack Harrison, Ken Murdoch
Box plan at Nicholsons. Adm 2/6 Proceeds to Charity.
Harry Bluck, who heads the A.B.C. Rhythmettes, is the brains behind the business and all proceeds go to the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund.
The Mirror Saturday October 23 1948 Vol 25. No. 1379
Jazz enthusiasts and the disciples of boogie-woogie, swing and be-bop (the translation of which has yet to be given to me) will be right in front of the eight-ball, so to speak, on Sunday night at the capitol theatre where the Jazz Jamboree of 1948 will take the stage as a charity concert. Harry Bluck, who heads the A.B.C. Rhythemettes, is the brains behind the business and all proceeds will go to the Musicians’ Benevolent fund. This year over 60 of Perth’s leading musicians will combine to make the show something for be-boppers (and others) to bop about. Merv Rowston’s Orchestra, Jackie Harrison’s Quintette, Chris Gosper and his Concert Orchestra, Ken Murdoch’s Swing show Quartette, Sammy Sharp’s Orchestra, Harry Bluck’s Jazz Group, Ron Jenkin’s Band and Bill Kirkham and his Jive Five will all be on stage, in addition to the “1948 Mystery Band”. This mystery band seems to be something of a mystery to all except the musicians in it. Harry Bluck tells me that nobody know the personnel, the music they are likely to play, the instruments they will select or even if they will “give out” from the stage or the stalls. But it seems like a great night and the cause will be a worthy one. It should be well worth while to go along to find out exactly what bo-peep is (sorry) bo-bep (excuse), I mean be-pop. Won’t somebody get me out?
The Broadcaster October 1948
JAZZ CONCERT
At the Capitol Theatre on Sunday night the professional dance-band musicians of Perth will present a jazz concert. The programme, it is stated, has been planned to cover every style of modern Jazz idiom. Eight bands will be conducted by the following: Merv Rowston, Jack Harrison, Sammy Sharp, Harry Bluck, Ron Jenkins, Chris Gosper, Bill Kirkham and Ken Murdoch. The proceeds will be for charity.
The West Australian Thursday 28 October 1948 page 24
AROUND PERTH in 1948 WITH HARRY BLUCK
PERTH RADIO STATIONS USING MORE BANDS
AND LIVE ARTIST SESSIONS
Quick survey of local musicians currently airing programmes in Perth shows what a keen interest is being shown by local radio stations, both national and commercial, in presenting “flesh and blood” shows, especially by members of the dance band fraternity. Here are where a few of our leading “outfits” can be heard over the local ether. Sammy Sharp’s Band (featuring a 15 piece combination) and vocalist Peter Boyd are prominent each Thursday evening over station 6PR with a Band Presentation and “Talent Quest” show. Over the same network from Perth town Hall, Chris Gosper and his “Music for Moderns” are relayed from their weekly midday sessions, which have proved a huge success, and shows signs of developing into something really big. From the same network come many other “live” shows including pianist Warrick Lever, Henry Cochrane and Jimmy Beeson. George Hay and his “Hawaiians”, Billy Barnes’ Hill Billys, Accordionist Harry Bluck, saxophonist Jack Pateman.
On the Nationals the weekly show features the “Rhythmettes”, a novelty outfit led by Harry Bluck, while the Jackie Harrison Quintette and Emil also give occasional broadcasts, not forgetting of course, soloist Henry Cochrane. Quick roundup of the other stations tells us of a weekly Sunday Show by the “400 Swingtette” over 6KY, where Chris Gosper and Ralph St. Clair play solo piano sessions, while a prominent Hill Billy movement is also aired by this station.
Theatre May Use More Music
News that Sammy Sharp’s Thursday night broadcasts shift into the Ambassador’s Theatre as part of the programme etc, may mean the thin end of the wedge for some other houses to follow suit and gradually reintroduce more musicians into local theatres. From observation it appears that Perth picture houses are not doing terrific business mid week. Perhaps some really good musical acts and support may be the answer, as indications from the other side of the show business points to outstanding houses for all flesh-and-blood performances.
The Jazz Jamboree
Already the bands concerned in this year’s “Jazz Jamboree” are working on their numbers for this colossal programme which shows every promise of superseding last year’s magnificent turn out. The bands listed to appear so far are – Merv Rowston’s, Jack Harrison’s, Ron Jenkin’s, A Jazz Group, Bill Kirkham’s, Chris Gosper’s and Sammy sharp’s bands. This year a box plan will be opened and so it is hoped to avoid the terrific crush and queuing that took place last year – the queue was four deep, entirely encircling a complete city block – and was there for a couple of hours in pouring rain. Also – at last – proceeds from this year’s Jamboree go to the Musician’s own Benevolent Fund.
Music Maker October 1948
JAZZ JAMBOREE OF 1948
Capitol Theatre, Sunday Night October 31
eight leading bands led by
Merv Rowston, Sammy Sharp, Chris Gosper, Harry Bluck, Ron Jenkins, Bill Kirkham, Jack Harrison, Ken Murdoch
Box plan at Nicholsons. Adm 2/6 Proceeds to Charity.
Harry Bluck, who heads the A.B.C. Rhythmettes, is the brains behind the business and all proceeds go to the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund.
The Mirror Saturday October 23 1948 Vol 25. No. 1379
JAZZ CONCERT: At the Capitol Theatre on Sunday night the professional dance-band musicians of Perth will present a Jass concert. The programme. It is stated. has been planned to cover every style of modern lass idiom Eight bands will be conducted by the following: Merv Rowston, Jack Harrison, Sammy Sharp, Harry Bluck, Ron Jenkins, Chris Gosper. Bill Kirkham and Ken Murdoch. The proceeds will be for charity.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Thursday 28 October 1948, page 25
1949
Followers of the Gosper combination will be with me in wishing Chris, who is now studying with the Melbourne Conservatorium all the best. They tell me that while Keith Whittle (Embassy drummer) and Chris were marking time In Melbourne recently, it was jointly decided to take on a temporary occupation with the South Melbourne Aviation Engineering Supply Co. transferring nuts and bolts by wheelbarrow from one part of the factory to another. In 3 days, the musicians ran into no end of humorous strife. Climax came when Chris was accidentally ‘crowned’ with a 5 foot crow-bar. Chris has been sitting in with the Stork Club and is now with George Watson’s Academy of Music, teaching modern pianoforte. L V A Ball: The Wednesday night ball held at the Embassy Ballroom in conjunction with the annual conference in Perth of the LVA, was attended by more than 700. Ball was preceded by a cocktail party on the balcony which was attended by a gathering of some 200 people. Music was supplied by the Goldenhour Old Time Dance Band. Thursday’s 50-50 two-band nonstop show continues to draw the crowds. Among this week’s personalities, noticed Jim and Sylvia Rowling of Scarborough celebrating their first wedding anniversary, and Sylvia’s 21st birthday with friends, Jeff Watts of Mt. Lawley, and Pat Atkinson, of South Perth. During the evening Sylvia cut the top tier of her wedding cake. The river view by night is always an attraction. On the balcony saw Joy Lague and Vernon Herd, of Wembley; also Gloria Stuart of Victoria Park with Eastern States visitor John Balcom, of Box Hill, Victoria …. South Perth’s Merle Cooper was on the floor . . . Marianne Higgs celebrated her 18th birthday with a cocktail party at her Claremont home, followed by dancing at the Embassy. She was attractively dressed in black ballerina with pink lace insets. Vocals this week were capably handled by Johnny Carlton, of the Goldenhour Old Time Dance Band. TIVOLI: Current attraction at this theatre is selling well. One of the centre points of interest is Philip Edgeley, son of Eric Edgeley, of Edgeley and Dawe fame, who are well remembered In Perth. Another young personality, Bruce Beeby, son of Dr. Beeby, of the Patch Theatre is seen in the same play.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 30 April 1949, page 14
PETER BOYD
Style and personality incorporated in Peter Boyd’s vocals may well have originated in his early school days, when, at the age of 10, he won packets of boiled sweets in singing competitions at his school. He has always been keenly interested in vocalising, but not seriously until 1944, when at 21 he joined a small 3piece outfit led by Morrie Cooperman, who was playing for an all-modern Saturday day night session at Mary Shaw Studios. From this, the first rung of the ladder, Peter moved across to the Rechabite Hall, where he carried the vocals for a trio in Jean Crammond, Mick Bartlet and Ted Campbell in a 50/50 programme. His real break came when he joined Viv Nylander’s Embassy Band, before that musician retired from the dance band world to occupy a chair at the ABC. Upon Viv’s retirement, Bill Kirkham took up the reins of the combination and Peter remained with the show until Sammy Sharp returned from England, whereupon he teamed up with the Sharp outfit, which subsequently presented the Sunday Serenaders (a programme over the ABC), the Sammy Sharp Show on the Scarborough promenade, Sunday afternoons and the Sea Crest Cafe programme presented by Sammy’s quartette and Peter handling the vocals. He was also later heard in the Battle of the Bands, and the 1948 Jazz Symphony. Peter favours the voice o John Charles Thomas, and selects as his favourite band, Stan Kenton’s. He is at present still handling the vocals for the Sharp outfit at the Embassy and the YAL. – ‘QUAIL’.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 30 April 1949, page 14
JACK HARRISON CHEQUE BOOK:
4 JULY 1949
JACK Cheque to: Jack Pope Womens College £5/3
Colin Youlden Womens College £2/11/8
Bill Kirkham Womens College £2/11/8
Charlie Thompson Womens College £2/11/8
George Franklin Womens College £2/11/8
Bill Hendrie Womens College £2/11/8
Roy Coates Womens College £2/11/8
JAZZ JAMBOREE OF 1949
EIGHT OF PERTH’S BEST BANDS – Alvan St. Jazz Group, Harry Black’s Swingtette, Jack Harrison’s Quintette, Ron Jenkins Lido Quartette, Ken Murdoch’s Band, Bill Kirkham’s Jive Band, Merv. Rowston’s Band, Sammy Sharpe’s Band.
CAPITOL THEATRE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30th
ADMISSION: 3/6 (reserved). Box Plan at Nicholsons. [6]
JIVE FANS
BIG moment in local jive lives will arrive Sunday week when another Jazz Jamboree will be held at the Capitol with 60 of Perth’s best musicians featured in 8 bands.
Alvan-street Jazz Group, Harry Bluck Swingtet, Jackie Harrison’s Quintet, Ron Jenkins Lido Quartet, Bill Kirkham’s Swing 7, Ken Murdock’s Band, Merv Rowston’s
Society 5 and Sammy Sharp’s Band. Fans will also appreciate a re-appearance of sensational blind singer Phyllis Frost.
Mirror Saturday 22 October 1949 page 14
BIG JAZZ SHOW
Over 60 musicians will appear in the “Jazz Jamboree of 1949” in the Capitol Theatre on Sunday October 30. Eight bands will feature every style from Dixieland to bop. The concerts have been held since 1947 and have attracted very big audiences. The proceeds for the show are donated to the musicians’ benevolent fund. The bands taking part will be: Alvan-street Jazz Group, Harry Bluck Swingtet, Jackie Harrison’s Quintet, Ron Jenkins Lido Quartet, Bill Kirkham’s Swing 7, Ken Murdock’s Band, Merv Rowston’s Society 5 and Sammy Sharp’s Band.
Jack Harrison scrapbook
MUSICIANS HERE DON’T LIKE BEPOP
Some of Perth’s leading jazz musicians were asked whether they agreed with caustic comment on bebop by the king of jazz trumpeters Louis Armstrong in Paris last week. Armstrong said that bebop was nothing but friction and squeezing notes out of a bad trumpet. “They play only mistakes and made weird sounds” he said.
Band leader-trumpeter Sammy Sharpe, who has played all over the world, thinks that Armstrong is the greatest jazz musician that has ever breathed. “Bebop leaves me cold” he said. “It’s an ultra modern idea of excitement in music, The music itself has a terrific construction with plenty of liberty with chords.” Bandleader and radio swing session compere Ken Murdoch (clarinet and saxophone). Finds bebop “an interesting study”. Band leader-saxophonist Bill Kirkham agrees with Armstrong’s criticism. “It’s surrealism in music and the public doesn’t understand it. I have music for bebop in my library, but my band never plays it,” Kirkham said. Australia’s youngest band leader, clarinettist Jackie Harrison (18) likes listening to the style.
Daily News Saturday 1949
1950
All Together With A Tra-la-la
EVERY musicker of note turned up at the Jack and Dudie Pateman’s Nedlands home for the serious business of wetting baby Graeme William’s head. They packed the women off to Sylvia Caporn’s home and the ”boys’ had a right royal time. During the arvo Harry Bluck cheffed up spag. savories and what have you. Pete Sullivan (not the curly headed one) brought a can of Indian curry. A spokeshavian playlet ‘Cinderella’ was produced by Maestro Beeson, featured Alan Gough, Cliff Adam, Pete Harrison, Merv Rowston and ‘Lily of the Valley’ Roberts. It was a real classic. Kev Logan even stopped hibernating and made an attempt to hydrate himself. They nearly sold him a sax. Bam Sharp put on a happy time and the beer flowed like wine. Ray Le Cornu did a job with the kegs. Chick helped the food along. Wally Hadley, Maurice Maurice, Keith Whittle. ‘Mule Train,’ George Caro, ‘Cigarettes’ Cooke, Baden Flxter, Butch Kirkby, Bill Kirkham, Henry Cochran. were ell in it. At nine o’clock sharp they drank a special toast to George Franklin— wherever he might have been between here and Curfew rang at 2 a.m and everyone departed for their homes. They tell me the Patemans have since bought a block and 3 tents in case of repercussions from neighbours who may dislike jazz, Dixieland — and just plain noise.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 20 May 1950, page 12
AT THE CAPITOL
THIS SUNDAY NIGHT
20 August 1950
RHAPSODY IN JAZZ
Come and hear Jack Harrison, W. Kirkham and Colin Hicks and their orchestras. Supported by Betty Whittaker, Hazel Lewis, Michael Harrington-Martin, Phil Moron and other leading artists. Compered by Geoff Manion
Tickets at the door. Price 5/- and 3/.
The Daily News Saturday 19 August 1950 page 22
1951
SUBIACO POLICE BOYS’ CLUB modern Dance. Drill Hall. Sat, nights. Bill Kirkham’s 6-pce. swing band. Dancing from 8-12 p.m. Adm. 2/6. –
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 20 October 1951, page 22
CAPITOL THEATRE
SUNDAY 28th OCTOBER 1951
JAZZ JAMBOREE
Featuring
12 of Perth’s Leading Dance Bands
Jazzstars, Cliff Adams, Norm Wrightson, Merv Rowston, Ron Jenkins, Harry Bluck, Jimmy Beeson, Bill Kirkham, Peter Clinch, Ken Murdoch, Jack Harrison, Sammy Sharpe.
Booking Opens at Nicholsons. Friday 19th October 1951.
1952
Wednesday 28th May 1952
Jazz At The Capitol
Lena Horne. Spike Jones. Mills Brothers. Harry Eddison. Lester Young. Ella
Fitzgerald. Ray Brown . . .
They’re just a few big names of modern music in the long list of acquaintances claimed by Ron Stanton, now in Perth. Ron, a Sydneysider, is a genuine young man of music. American tours have given him an intimate knowledge of techniques over there — and he’s bringing them to Perth.
Particularly impressed with the annual festival Jazz at the Philharmonic, he has formed a “leaders group” in Perth for Jazz at the Capitol. Group includes Harry Bluck, Sammy Sharp, Cliff Adams, Bill Kirkham, John Mowson, Charlie Thompson and Ron Stanton himself.
Program— at the Capitol on Wednesday night— will also include the “name bands” of Perth, Chung Doo, Stanton’s sextet and Jack Harrison’s quartette.
Mirror Saturday 24 May 1952 page 8
Sunday October 26th 1952
Jazz Jamboree
DANCE BAND FANS!
BOOK EARLY And Avoid Disappointment for the
JAZZ JAMBOREE
CAPITOL THEATRE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 At 8.45 p.m.
SAMMY SHARP HARRY BLUCK
MERV ROWSTON KEN MURDOCH
BILL KIRKHAM JACKIE HARRISON
THE JAZSTARS NORM WRIGHTSON
RON JENKINS JIMMY BEESON
COLIN HICKS CLIFF ADAM
Tickets 4/-
BOX PLAN NOW OPEN AT NICHOLSONS
Bill Kirkham is a motor engineer who takes time off from sorting out nuts and bolts to sort out crotchets and quavers. He amuses himself in his spare time with speedcar racing and he expects to have something, special for this season with a new car he recently brought over from Adelaide. Bill’s professional musical career resulted from the depression. When things were tough he teamed up with other musicians and he has been at It ever since. He has had his own band for the last 5 years. Kirkham’s favorite band— Glen Milller. Tops in his own instrument, the saxophone – Tex Beneke.
Mirror Sat 1 November 1952 page 6
1953
IMPROMPTU JAM STOLE THE SHOW
An impromptu jam session nearly stole the show at Thursday night’s WA Amateur Dance Band Concert at the Capitol Theatre. Composite band of members who had competed earlier, really went to town and had patrons rocking in their seats. Jam band was led by internationally known Harry Phillips on the trumpet and Sid Vandervelde on guitar. Boys really turned it on and the crowd went wild. Even when Sammy Sharp came forward to announce the night’s awards the audience clamoured for another spread of jam. So, a grinning Sammy waved the boys to continue. Night was a feast of bounce, jive and bop with the amateur instrumentalists showing enough promise to indicate that many will soon be making pro names for themselves. Hundreds were present to hear 13 outfits, ranging in size from 4 to 11 pieces, vie with one another in a variety of Jazz renditions. Judges Ken Murdock, Ron Moyle, Merv Rowston, Harry Bluck and Bill Kirkham were not set an easy task. Finally, they awarded the shield to the West Coast Dixielanders, a 7 -piece outfit led by Phil Battey on trumpet, George Battey, clarinet, Dick Hatton, trombone. Conn Goldsmith, bass, Bob Anderson, piano. Alan Blight, drums, and Vince Goldsmith, guitar. These boys have been playing together less than a year and decided at the last minute to enter the contest They will hold the shield until next year’s contests.
The Dixielanders all prefer the type of music their name suggests is their special dish and are keen on the Jelly Roll Morton school. Second place went to Neil Manno’s Quintette with the Jive Five led by Wynne Hammer third. Other awards were: Best Instrumentalist; Ray Taylor, trumpet. Best Guitar: Jimmy Taylor. Best Drummer: Wynne Hammer. Best Pianist: Thelma McGrath. Best Vocalist: Bill Groessler. Most promising reed player was 17-y-o Neil Boon, a Dutch youth. Organisers, the W A Musicians’ Union, Sammy Sharpe and compere Wally Hadley are to be congratulated on a good show which all agreed was a great improvement on previous contests and augurs well for the future of dance music in this State. Saw quite a sprinkling of musicians who have given up regular playing in the audience at the Capitol, including Harry Ward and Laurie McGrath.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 25 July 1953, page 11