Cyril Stapleton (Dec. 31, 1914 - Feb. 25, 1974) was a British violinist and jazz bandleader. Born in Mapperley, Nottingham. At age seven, Cyril began studying the violin, and, at age 12, made his first broadcast from 5NG, the local radio station in Nottingham. He was often heard on broadcasts from the BBC Studios in Birmingham, but while still very young, he went to Czechoslovakia in order to study under Sevcik, the famous Czech violin teacher.
While still a teenager, he found work playing in cinema
'pit orchestras' accompanying silent films. At age 17, he won a Trinity College
of Music (London) scholarship. While still a student, he found work playing in
the Henry Hall Dance Band, just formed for BBC broadcasts. He was with the band
on their first ever broadcast, and can be heard playing on some of Hall's early
Columbia 78s recorded in 1932. At some point, Cyril left Hall and he returned
to Nottingham, and again found work in the local cinemas.
He next joined the Jack Payne Orchestra, and was a member
when the band toured to South Africa. And, again was heard on some of Payne's
1936 Rex label recordings (78rpm). When that job ended, Cyril formed his own
band in London, where he found work at The Casino (Compton Street), and also at
Fisher's Restaurant (New Bond Street). In 1939, he made his very first
broadcast with his own band. He also played briefly with the Jack Hylton
Orchestra, under Billy Ternent.
With the start of WWII, his musical career came to an
abrupt halt when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an air gunner. He soon
was organizing music for Camp shows and concerts at various military stations.
During this time, he visited New York City. During his final year of RAF
service (he served for a total of five years) he became a member of the RAF
Symphony Orchestra then playing in Uxbridge Upon his Service discharge, he
followed a career in 'Classical' music, and at one time, was a member of three
orchestras: the London Symphony, the National Symphony and the Philharmonia
Orchestra.
In 1947, for whatever reasons, found him back in London
again playing at Fisher's Restaurant with his own band. (One of his vocalists
was a young Dick James, who later became music publisher for The Beatles.)
Stapleton's band was also heard on late night broadcasts. In 1948, he added a
string section, and his work on such radio shows as "Your Hit Parade"
and "Golden Slipper" brought him wider fame.
In 1952, the "BBC Dance Orchestra" became the
"BBC Show Band", and Cyril Stapleton became the leader. The Show Band
was also seen in some early BBC Telecasts, further increasing Stapleton's fame.
The first broadcast was heard on October 2, 1952. Robert Farnon arranged the
band's signature tune, which opened to the words: "Just For You... “As the
BBC's prestige Pop music orchestra, the band attracted both top British stars,
and American entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Nat 'King' Cole. In late
1955, a second Show Band film "Just for You" (Cinemascope, directed
by Michael Carreras, Odeon Cinema circuit) appeared. In 'The Story of a Starry
Night' section, Stapleton was the featured violin soloist, and further on also
accompanied Joan Regan on piano.
On June 28, 1957, the BBC announced a decision to end the
band. Cyril then formed his own group with which he toured and appeared at
venues all over the UK. He even managed two chart hits in the United States
with the instrumental "The Italian Theme" (#25, 1956) and "The
Children's Marching Song (Nick Nack Paddy Whack)" (#13, 1959). Stapleton
continued to tour and record into the 1970s; in 1965 he also became head of
A&R for Pye Records.Sadly he died from a heart attack at only 59 years of
age.
"Theme from "Department S"" by Cyril
Stapleton
6 comments:
For Cyril Stapleton & His Orchestra and vocalists late 1940’s
recordings go here:
http://www63.zippyshare.com/v/81335043/file.html
1) Sleepy Serenade 2:52
2) They Say It's Wonderful (Dick James) 3:21
3) In A Boat, On A Lake With My Darling 2:49
4) Be True 3:03
5) Candy And Cake (Jean Campbell & The Staplejacks) 2:35
6) I'll String Along With You (Bob Dale) 3:03
7) Hawaiian War Chant 3:00
8) The Hop Scotch Polka (Bob Dale & Jean Campbell) 2:26
9) I Only Have Eyes For You (Bob Dale) 3:01
10) A Tree In A Meadow 2:43
11) Lullaby Of The Leaves 2:44
12) Moonlight Serenade 3:17
13) One Wonderful Morning 2:47
14) Chase Me Charlie 2:58
15) I'd Give A Million Tomorrows 2:50
16) Dear Hearts And Gentle People (Bob Dale) 2:22
17) Perfidia 3:08
18) A Shawl Of Galway Grey (Bob Dale) 2:58
19) Carnival Time 2:46
20) Who Do You Love, I Hope 3:23
One of my favourite bandleaders from the UK,thank you Bob, Robert
And.... a very swinging new year!
Robert
beatiful good
File delete too soon!
Hi Luis, The file was removed as someone complained about it. I will re-up just for you here:
http://www32.zippyshare.com/v/dwZU1zFV/file.html
But in future if the file has been removed then it's gone. Please visit my blog regularly to catch any downloads.
Regards
Bob
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