Pasadena Roof Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra (commonly abbreviated to PRO) is a contemporary band
from England
that specialises in the jazz
and swing genres of music of the 1920s and 1930s, although their full repertoire is considerably wider. The orchestra has existed since 1969, although the line-up has frequently changed. It has achieved success outside of the United Kingdom
, most notably in Germany
.
who moonlighted as a BBC
session bass player. Arthy discovered a cache of original musical arrangements dating from the 1920s in an attic and on the strength of this find decided to form his own band. The name of the band was inspired by Harry Warren
’s (Home in) Pasadena. There was a strong revival movement for music of the 1920’s at the time (known as the Trad/Rad movement; other rival bands included The Temperance Seven
); however, Arthy moved this new band in a different direction to most of the revivalists: away from humour and towards more serious, dedicated renditions of the music.
The orchestra's first vocalist was John "Pazz" Parry, an old friend of Arthy's (the two had both been members of The Water Rats Jazz Band). With Arthy as Bandleader and also performing on the double bass
and sousaphone
, the PRO soon grew in popularity.
The orchestra became professional in 1975. Their first LP
was recorded in Autumn 1974 and released the following Spring, premiering at the Midem
music fair in Cannes
. The orchestra followed this by touring West Germany
(where the revival movement was incredibly popular) in the Autumn of that year.
The orchestra toured the US in 1993 and 2001 (their 25th Anniversary album cover featured a photo of the band in front of the Ambassador Theatre in Pasadena, California
). They have worked with musical luminaries such as Robbie Williams
(in 2005) and Bryan Ferry
(in 2000).
Although John Arthy retired in 1997, the band continues to tour and record with bandleader and singer Duncan Galloway. In 2009, the orchestra will be touring Great Britain
and Germany
.
, with guests. This DVD is only available in Region 2 format.
This DVD is the first release to feature a double sided DVD which plays in glorious colour and digital stereo on one side, and the flip side plays in vintage Sepia-tone, with authentic Phonograph style mono audio.
In August 2005 another DVD, Dance the Night Away appeared, but only in Region 1 format. This DVD was not sanctioned by the orchestra and was recorded from a 1979 German TV show.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that specialises in the jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and swing genres of music of the 1920s and 1930s, although their full repertoire is considerably wider. The orchestra has existed since 1969, although the line-up has frequently changed. It has achieved success outside of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, most notably in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Brief history
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra was formed in November 1969 by John Arthy, a bakerBaker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
who moonlighted as a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
session bass player. Arthy discovered a cache of original musical arrangements dating from the 1920s in an attic and on the strength of this find decided to form his own band. The name of the band was inspired by Harry Warren
Harry Warren
Harry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
’s (Home in) Pasadena. There was a strong revival movement for music of the 1920’s at the time (known as the Trad/Rad movement; other rival bands included The Temperance Seven
The Temperance Seven
The Temperance Seven is a British band specializing in 1920s-style jazz music.- Career :The Temperance Seven were founded at Christmas 1955, although it has been alleged they first "saw the light" in the Pasadena Cocoa Rooms, Balls Pond Road, North London, in 1904...
); however, Arthy moved this new band in a different direction to most of the revivalists: away from humour and towards more serious, dedicated renditions of the music.
The orchestra's first vocalist was John "Pazz" Parry, an old friend of Arthy's (the two had both been members of The Water Rats Jazz Band). With Arthy as Bandleader and also performing on the double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
and sousaphone
Sousaphone
The sousaphone is a type of tuba that is widely employed in marching bands. Designed so that it fits around the body of the musician and is supported by the left shoulder, the sousaphone may be readily played while being carried...
, the PRO soon grew in popularity.
The orchestra became professional in 1975. Their first LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
was recorded in Autumn 1974 and released the following Spring, premiering at the Midem
Midem
-MIDEM:Short for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale, MIDEM is the world's largest music industry trade fair, which has been held annually at and around the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, since 1967...
music fair in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
. The orchestra followed this by touring West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
(where the revival movement was incredibly popular) in the Autumn of that year.
The orchestra toured the US in 1993 and 2001 (their 25th Anniversary album cover featured a photo of the band in front of the Ambassador Theatre in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
). They have worked with musical luminaries such as Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
(in 2005) and Bryan Ferry
Bryan Ferry
Bryan Ferry, CBE is an English singer, musician, and songwriter. Ferry came to public prominence in the early 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with the band Roxy Music, who enjoyed a highly successful career with three number one albums and ten singles entering the top ten charts in...
(in 2000).
Although John Arthy retired in 1997, the band continues to tour and record with bandleader and singer Duncan Galloway. In 2009, the orchestra will be touring Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Orchestra members
- John Arthy (founder, double bass, bandleader, sousaphone; 1969–1997)
- Charlie Baker (vocals; 2002)
- Clive Baker (trumpet; c.1976-84)
- John Barron (banjo, guitar; c.1977)
- Malcolm Baxter (trumpet; c.1991–present)
- Peter Beresford (violin; c.1972-75)
- Barrie Williams (violin; c.1975-1978)
- David Berry (double bass, sousaphone, tuba; c.1998-present)
- John Bright (banjo; c.1972-75)
- Tom Colbert (piano; 1972)
- Tony Cooke (trumpet; c.1969-75)
- Louise Cookman (vocals; c.2002)
- David Ford (trumpet; c.1996–present)
- Robert Fowler (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet; c.1987–present)
- Adrian FryAdrian FryAdrian Fry is a British freelance jazz trombonist, arranger and composer. He performs with many British bands including Back to Basie, Frank Griffith Nonet, Elio Pace, Karen Sharp Quintet, Stan Tracey Big Band, Michael Garrick Big Band, Don Weller Electric Octet & Big Band, the Pasadena Roof...
(trombone; c.2011–present) - Duncan Galloway (vocals; 1988–1994 and 2002–present)
- Keith GemmellKeith GemmellKeith Gemmell is a rock musician and saxophone player best known for being a member of British art rock band Audience from 1969 to 1972. He is now a music educator, author and journalist.-Early life and career:...
(alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, vocals, arranger; c.1983-1997) - Josephine Gurr (clarinet, alto saxophone; 1969–72)
- Dan Hammerton (trumpet; c.1996-2002)
- Michael Henry (trumpet, cornet, flugel horn; 1978–1990)
- Michael Holmes (vocals, piano; c.1987-1991)
- Bob Hunt (trombone; c.1977 and 1988)
- Ken Hughes (alto saxophone; c.1972-75)
- Stan Ivision (piano; c.1974)
- Paul Jones (alto saxophone, clarinet; c.2002)
- Derek Jones (drums; c.1974)
- Andrew Kuc (banjo, guitar; c.1999–2002)
- Sean Moyses (banjo, guitar; c.1990)
- James Langton (vocals, musical direction, production, bandleader; 1996–2002)
- Chris Macdonald (clarinet, tenor saxophone; arranger; 1969–74)
- David Manning (trumpet; c.1974)
- Robin Merrill (vocals; 1979–1988)
- John "Pazz" Parry (vocalist; 1969-1976 at least)
- Clive Payne (tenor saxophone; c.1974)
- Nik Payton (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet; c.1998-2002)
- James Pearson (piano; 2002)
- Dave Price (banjo; c.1969-71)
- Dai Pritchard (alto saxophone, clarinet; c.1981-present)
- Andy Pummel (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet, penny whistle, arranger; c.1972-1996)
- Bob Renvoize (trombone,arranger; c.1972-1987)
- Graham Roberts (tenor banjo, guitar;1990–1999 and 2007–present)
- Albert Sadler (banjo; c.1972-75)
- James Scannell (alto saxophone, clarinet; 1997–2001)
- Stephen Shaw, (vocal trio, trombone; c.1989-2002)
- Jake Spalding (trumpet; 1969–73)
- John Sutton (drums, bandleader; c.1985–2005)
- Enrico Tomasso(trumpet, cornet, flugel horn, vocals; c.1987-1993)
- Simon TownleySimon TownleySimon Townley is a piano player and composer.Townley was born in 1963 and read music at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating BA .He has been the pianist for the Pasadena Roof Orchestra since 1992 and the pianist and musical director for 'Beyond Broadway'...
(piano, arranger, bandleader; 1992–present) - Barry Tyler (percussion/drums c.1970)
- Peter Warren (banjo, guitar; c.1989)
- Oliver Wilby (tenor saxophone, clarinet; c.2002-present)
Vinyls
- The Pasadena Roof Orchestra (Transatlantic; 1974)
- Good News (Transatlantic; 1975)
- On Tour (1975; live album recorded in Germany)
- Isn't It Romantic (Transatlantic; 1976)
- The Show Must Go OnThe show must go on"The show must go on" is a well-known phrase in show business, meaning that regardless of what happens, the show must still be put on for the waiting patrons...
(1977) - A Talking Picture (Transatlantic; 1978)
- Anthology (Transatlantic; 1978)
- Night Out (CBS; 1979)
- Crazy Wors, Crazy Tunes (Aves Records & Tapes; 1982)
CD's
- Happy Feet (Pasadena Records, 1987; CD PRO 1)
- ...Steppin' Out (Pasadena Records, 1989; CD PRO 2; live album recorded in England
- 42nd Street (1990)
- Breakaway (Pasadena Records, 1991; CD PRO 3)
- The Collection (Castle Music UK; 1992)
- 25th Anniversary Album (Pasadena Records, 1993; CD PRO 4)
- Rhythm is our Business (Pasadena Records, 1996; CD PRO 5)
- The Best of the Pasadena Roof Orchestra: Lullaby of Broadway (Castle/Pulse, 1997)
- Home in Pasadena: Very Best of the Pasadena Roof Orchestra (Castle/Pulse, 1998)
- Swing That Music! (Pasadena Records, 1998; CD PRO 6)
- 30th Anniversary (Pasadena Records, 2001)
- Here & Now (Pasadena Records, 2002; CD PRO 7)
- Roots of Swing (Pasadena Records, 2008; CD PRO 8)
- Licensed To Swing (2011; CD PRO 9)
Singles
- Pennies from Heaven/Back in Your Own Backyard (1978; 7" single)
- Paddlin' Madeline Home/Nagasaki (Island; 7" single)
- Me and Jane in a Plane/Pasadena (Transatlantic; 7" single)
- Looney Tunes/Nobody's Sweetheart (Reward Records; 7" single)
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and The Swing Sisters
- Take Me Back (Emporio 627, 1993)
- Sentimental Journey (MCI, 1993)
DVD releases
In 2003 the Pasadena Roof Orchestra released a DVD of the 30th Anniversary live concert at Regent’s Park, LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, with guests. This DVD is only available in Region 2 format.
This DVD is the first release to feature a double sided DVD which plays in glorious colour and digital stereo on one side, and the flip side plays in vintage Sepia-tone, with authentic Phonograph style mono audio.
In August 2005 another DVD, Dance the Night Away appeared, but only in Region 1 format. This DVD was not sanctioned by the orchestra and was recorded from a 1979 German TV show.
Appearances
- The PRO has worked on the soundtracks of several films, including The Comedian Harmonists (1997) and Just a GigoloSchöner Gigolo, armer GigoloSchöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo is a 1978 film directed by David Hemmings and starring David Bowie. Set in post-World War I Berlin, it also featured Sydne Rome, Kim Novak and, in her last screen appearance, Marlene Dietrich...
(1979).
- On October 1, 1975, the PRO appeared on the first episode of the second season of TwiggyTwiggyLesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
, a BBC2 variety show hosted by the model TwiggyTwiggyLesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
, with whom they performed Everything Stops for TeaEverything Stops for TeaEverything Stops for Tea is a record album by John Baldry released in May 1972. The album was produced by Elton John and Rod Stewart. Elton John provides vocal accompaniment on tracks 1, 3, 4, and 5...
.
- In the 1990s, the orchestra appeared in two six-part BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
half-hour comedy series. The premise was that the orchestra played themselves, despite the series being set in the 1930s. Each series would feature the band travelling the world and foiling the plans of villains and evil masterminds, always finding the time to play some music too. Duncan Galloway took the fore, supported by traditional British radio actors and comedians such as June WhitfieldJune WhitfieldJune Rosemary Whitfield, CBE is an English actress, well known in the United Kingdom since the 1950s for roles in radio and television comedy series....
and Roy HuddRoy HuddRoy Hudd, OBE is an English comedian, actor, radio host and author, and an authority on the history of music hall entertainment.- Early life :...
.