REHEARSAL FOR SAMMY SHARP’S JAZZ FANTASIA
Saturday September 16 1950
(photo) from left to right: Jack Harrison, Jim Beeson, Betty Wittaker, Sammy Sharp and Keith Whittle.
The Broadcaster Saturday September 16 1950
Keith Whittle, drummer with Jimmy Beeson’s combination, first began playing percussion instruments in a small way when he was 3. Whittle became a band leader in his own right at the age of 10. He organised an outfit at the Mt. Hawthorn School — two paper and comb experts, a mouth organ, tin whistle and a set of drums consisting of kerosene tins and bottles filled with water. It proved a great success with the other pupils but was rather frowned upon by the more conservative teachers. Not disheartened, Keith graduated from the tin can era and a few years later joined Chris Gosper’s Australian All Stars. When this combination went overseas he became a free-lance drummer with a number of Perth bands. Now employed by one of Perth’s leading music stores, Keith Whittle is a recognised authority on jazz records. His favourite drummer — Gene Krupa.
Mirror Sat 1 November 1952 page 6
Ladies’ Night | Was One To Be Remembered
Secretary Mrs. Le Cornu (Sylvia Caporn) and an energetic committee really pulled one out of the bag for Musicians’ Union Ladies’ Auxiliary’s first night at Anzac House lower hall on Tuesday. Musical items were contributed by Phyllis Frost and Bryn Gyfford, drummers Merv Rowston, Keith Whittle, Murray McKay and Max McKay, sax players George Caro, Sonny Henderson, Johnny McCaughan, trumpeter Jack Pope, pianists Nell Sheridan, Roy de la Mere and Henry Cochran, guitarist Hank Collins and Dane Gorn on bass. It was a jam session extraordinary, and it was enjoyed by all.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 15 August 1953, page 13
Rare Disc – GENE KRUPA’S long awaited disc of ‘Dark Eyes,’ which has not been available in Australia for 8 months, is now selling well, according to Keith Whittle, of Nicholons. Flip side is ‘After You’ve Gone,’ featuring Roy Eldridge, coloured trumpeter, late of Duke Ellington’s Band. Connoisseurs of jazz will remember Roy’s ‘Trumpet in Spades’ which caused a sensation before the war and is still a prized disc. ‘O Happy Day,’ by Lawrence Welk and Ork, is best seller in the pop field. Vocals by gravel voiced Larry Hooper, whose sore throat will be better soon, we hope.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 20 June 1953, page 12