James Edward Wilbur was a British bandleader and prolifically recorded musician identified with and influential in the Big Band

Big band

A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...

 era.

Wilbur grew to fame in the 1930s. Jay Wilbur and His Band performed extensively for Allied

Allies of World War II

The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...

 military servicemembers during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. He is known for recording established tunes while rendering them in foxtrot style.

Wilbur was the third husband of Ouida MacDermott, the youngest child of G. H. MacDermott

G. H. MacDermott

Gilbert Hastings MacDermott was one of the biggest stars of the Victorian English music hall. He performed under the name of The Great MacDermott, and was well known for his rousing rendition of a war song he was persuaded to buy from G. W. Hunt for one guinea...

.