1946
W. Evans’ Vaudeville Show
On Thursday evening last Mr. Evans of Perth brought his vaudeville show to Toodyay to present the “Gaieties of 1946.” Among the artists, most of whom were returned servicemen, were: “Nutty” Cook (drummer), Greta Hall (singer), Mr. Rennie (comedian), Ken Gosper (piano accordion), Yvonne Teague (ballerina), Miss Wylie (ballet mistress), Mr. Young (saxophonist, clarionet and violinist), Miss Cecilia Young (show girl and ballet dancer), Great Devante (Master of Magic), Ian Meale (female impersonator) and Eric Allen (novelty pianist and musical director). Some very interesting funnies were put over by the talented comedian and ballet dancing was also well received by the large audience. Orchestral and band musical numbers were sundered right throughout the programme, making excellent accompaniments for the well-known and most popular numbers sung by Greta Hall. This show will be presented in Kalgoorlie tomorrow night and will .be leaving for South Australia early in January. We wish Mr. Evans and all his artists the very best of luck and trust they may return at a later date with bigger shows for a much increased audience of people.
Toodyay Herald (WA : 1912 – 1954), Friday 22 November 1946, page 12
1951
1952
1953
OLD HATS INSPIRED ‘MAD HATTER ‘ – MUSIC VOGUE
A stack of old hats in his father’s men’s wear store started Ron Jenkins on the road to success in dance band-cum-comedy work. Discarded headgear gave Ron the idea of adding a novelty angle to his band. Later, he dug deeper into the pile of old clothes which had collected in the shop since its inception in 1910, and the idea for what so many dancegoers now know as typical Jenkins’ style was born. Ron always believed patrons want something more than straight music, lust how right he was is illustrated by the way dancers will stop and gather round the stand while Bon and the boys go through their crazy caners.
The Jenkins’ humour is essentially a team effort. A title is first chosen, then all band members offer their suggestions for slapstick. Best ideas are pooled and a number is ready to split the dancers’ sides. A lot of comedy is impromptu, but for big shows the band gets together at Ron’s place — as some Melville residents know only too well— to rehearse. To back this fooling Ron has a huge store of varied clothes. Included in his ‘wardrobe’ are 50 hats, ranging from elegant bowlers’ to Yankee gob caps, 8 striped blazers of unknown vintage, parson’s coats, swallow-tailed coats, oilskins, and Indian blankets. He also has masks, spectacles, false noses, cheeks and such like by the hundreds, not to mention innumerable wigs, both male and female. Compere of ‘Jazz at the Capitol’ Peter Harrison will probably say smoke bombs and crackers should be included in the list of the Jenkins’ equipment. While Harrison was talking before Jenkins’ act last Sunday a smoke bomb exploded behind him. Amid crackers and jumping jacks he was removed from the stage in a none-too-gentle manner. Before the smoke of the battle had cleared away the boys were on their stands beating out ‘Crazy Man ‘Crazy.’ It was!! Some think Ron’s car must have elastic sides, judging from the huge bundle of clothes of one sort or another which he brings to engagements. When he opens the door out comes Ron. crazy clothes and all. The next half hour is usually spent sorting it out. Comedy is only part of the Jenkins’ group. His musicians are ton class and can turn out solid music. Group comprises Vince Cook (drums), Allan Cole (bass). and Austin Ray (piano), not to mention Ron Jenkins on sax and clarinet. When the outfit is increased to a quintet for bigger bookings Ray Reason (you should listen to Reason) adds his trumpet.
Nutty Cook, apart from his brilliant drumming, can certainly put over a vocal — particularly a semi-comedy type. Ron vouches for the fact that many of the ideas for his shows come from the Cook cranium. Pianist Austin Ray has built up a great local reputation with his keyboard work, and really enters into the spirit of things when the band goes mad. Allan Cole (bass), needs no Introduction. He used also to be with Colin Hicks. Ron Jenkins has based his band to some extent on the Fats Waller style. ‘Fats got terrific lift out of popular numbers for a small combination and we try to get something of the same effect,’ says Ron, summing up. He sticks mainly to popular numbers which please the majority. The drive the quartet gets is amazing. Ron Jenkins’ interest in dance music dates back to when he was 6. His parents used to take him to dance festivals and the like. Soon after, he started to practise on his father’s drum kit and then he switched to the sax. He started playing with his father at small dances and shows. His first big job was with Merv Rowston’s Old Time Band at Government House. Later, he formed his own group. He has had more or less the same personnel in his outfit since the end of the war.
The Jenkins’ Group will always be small and compact. Ron says he would never be able to put across his comedy with a big band. Things would get out of hand and it would be a shambles. He has a great admiration for the way Spike Jones can present the music be does with so many in the band, and thinks this would take a lot of practice. He doesn’t take ideas from Spike, however. During the ball season the Ron Jenkins’ Quartet or Quintet has a busy time. Apart from regular Saturday engagement at the Valray, Rockingham, he has also a number of week-night engagements. He has travelled as far north as Big Bell and as far south as Busselton to play at dances. One Australian he has a lot of time for is Bobby Limb. Both Bobby Limb and Ron Jenkins serve up a similar type of fooling. Now Ron intends to revive some of his favorites from a few years back. Among best numbers are ‘Down on the Farm,’ ‘I’m Nuts on Screwy Music’ (which naturally enough his one of his favorites) and ‘Don’t Bring Lulu.’
Current, numbers which have received a going over from the Jenkins’ group Include ‘Ugly Child,’ ‘Dear Ron (John), and ‘I See the Moon.’ Ron was in 2 minds whether to play ‘Dear Ron’ or ‘I See the Moon’ at the Capitol last Sunday. He settled for the latter as it was more topical. Applause almost brought the roof down. Looking to the future. Ron and the boys are very interested in the advent of TV in the West. A group, like theirs should do very in this medium. Band gets Just as much kick out of playing as you get from seeing and having fun.
The Mirror Saturday 3 July 1954 page 14
1955
Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1955), Saturday 2 July 1955, page 5
1961
1961 ABW2 TELEVISION To Stage Live Musical Tonight – By Keith Flanagan
ABW will stage a 25-minute programme in place of “Roundabout” at 9.35pm tonight.
It will feature the music of Jack Harrison’s new quartet in such numbers as “Dizzy Fingers”, “Misty” and “Stardust”. Harrison, a clarinettist with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra, is one of the most versatile musicians in the business. Tonight he will play the harmonica, the piano and saxophone as well as the clarinet. Leonie Martin-Smith, one of Perth’s leading radio actresses, will make her television debut on the programme – as a singer. Earlier this year, she had the leading role in the stage production of “Annie Get Your Gun”. Tonight she will sing “Cock-Eyed Optimist” from “South Pacific” and will join Nutty Cook in a duet.
1961 A Show Without A Spoken Word – By Keith Flanagan
ABW set a record of sorts for W.A. live television last night by presenting 25 minutes of entertainment in “Music Box” without a spoken word. Each item was introduced with graphics with the tinkling notes of a musical box in the background. It was a programme of pleasant rhythm and songs, with the Jack Harrison swing quartet and vocalists Leonie Martin-Smith and Nutty Cook. It was easy to listen to, and rhythm fans would have found nothing to distract them. Pictorially, it was not very lively. There were no elaborate settings, no trick lighting gimmicks. It was one of those quiet shows the ABC likes to specialise in. Repeated close ups of clarinet and piano accordion don’t make for absorbing television. They were certainly the most recurrent.
1976
QUAIRADING SCHOOL ITEMS OF INTEREST
Music lessons : Due to the organisation of Mrs Beryl Stacey, music lessons in piano, organ, guitar and drums have commenced. Forty-nine children have enrolled for the lessons and Mr ‘Nutty’ Cook (who will be remembered by many parents as the drummer for Ron Jenkins’ band) and fellow musicians will conduct lessons on Wednesdays.
Beverley Times (WA : 1905 – 1977), Thursday 26 February 1976, page 6
A number of school students who have been having regular music lessons this year from Mr ‘Nutty’ Cook have reached a stage where they apparently have sufficient confidence and musical knowhow to combine their talents and play as a group. They are Brad Gordon, Dean Carter, Hadyn Hadlow, and Bob Williams, all of whom play electric guitars, and Reid Carter (on the drums). With continued practice they hope to eventually be proficient enough to provide music for school socials.
Beverley Times (WA : 1905 – 1977), Thursday 1 July 1976, page 2
Hadyn Hadlow shared Christmas in Zurich with Jody Harrison and Leanne Glover when a bunch of homelss australians sought each other’s company.
Hadyn always was quite handy on the guitar and was a solid member of the Spooky Mens choir for 10 or so years and had a good voice. His son Sam did a jazz degree at WAAPA on trombone and is a very respected player around Perth.
Haydn tragically died in 2025.
