Isador Simon “Sid” Phillips (b: June 14, 1907, London,
England; d. May 25, 1973, England ) was a popular post-war UK big band leader
often referred to as the "King of the clarinet" although he also
played alto sax and piano and his skills extended to composer and arranger. His
style was progressive Dixieland with a touch of big swinging band which gave
him plenty of leeway in choice of material.
It is interesting to note that Kenny Ball, later a successful bandleader in his own right, was originally trained by Sid while playing in his band. Though world famous for the clarinet Sid also loved the piano which he would often play as a 'special' during a concert. ("Kitten on the Keys" was one of his favourites.). Few folks now recall that he was also an accomplished boxer- a strange hobby for a musician who must protect his hands.. He also loved to play Cricket.
Clarinet playing bandleader, Sid Phillips, is best remembered for his 1949 recording of 'Hors d'oeuvres', and his signature tune 'Clarinet Cadenza'. His earliest recordings were in the late 1920s, but his HMV single 'I Found A New Baby' was released in November 1954 - and the Band made this television appearance in May 1955. Kenny Ball who later enjoyed a successful career fronting his own trad band, is the featured trumpet player on this clip.
Sid Phillips grew up in London's East End with his three
brothers and four sisters. While still at school he and his elder brothers
Harry (trumpet) and Ralph (banjo), all self-taught musicians, used to practise
their instruments at the end of their garden because their mother chased them
out of the house when they made "all that noise". However, their
neighbours loved 'that noise' and dozens of them stood in the street outside
listening, tapping their feet and clapping.
Such was the start of 'The Riviera Five'. It was with this
group, augmented in 1923 by Sid Kreeger (piano) and Joe Badis (drums), that Sid
first toured on the continent and by 1927, now renamed 'The Melodians' they
were favourites in most fashionable European cities.
From about 1925, Sid performed mainly in Europe where he
made recordings in three countries, and learned five languages, -a skill that
would later help England during World War II. When the Melodians disbanded he
became an arranger for the Lawrence Wright music publishing company.
From 1933 thru 1937, he was a prominent member (saxophone)
of the popular Ambrose Orchestra. Some of his more memorable arrangements for
Ambrose included "Caravan", "Deep Henderson", and the
Ambrose Orchestra theme "Hors D'oeuvres" (music by David Comer), which
Sid later adopted as the "Out-Theme" for his own orchestra. (The
'In-Theme' was his own composition "Clarinet Cadenza".)
All this while, many of his own compositions were becoming
quite well known, including "Night Ride", "Streamline
Strut", "Hullabaloo", "An Amazon Goes A-Wooin'",
"B'Wanga", "Message From Mars", "Early Morning
Blues", "Mister Reynard's Nightmare", "Night Ride",
"Plain Jane", and "Cotton Pickers' Congregation". (Sid may
have composed another 100 or 200 tunes (not all released). During the late
thirties he freelanced and wrote arrangements and tunes for many British Bands.
In 1938, he travelled to the U.S. meeting with some well
known leaders including Paul Whiteman, and recorded some big band sides. With
WWII imminent, Sid spurned offers to remain in the U.S., and returned to
London, England. In 1940, he was called into London's wartime
"Specials" police, and soon after was called into the RAF, where his
command of languages earned him a commission in the intelligence branch.
In 1945, after World War II ended (in Europe), Sid was
de-mobilized and formed his Dixieland Jazz band which became Princess
Margaret's favourite, and on several occasions in the 1950s, played the annual
Windsor Castle Christmas Ball at her request. The band made frequent broadcasts
on the BBC networks, and throughout Great Britain, he became known as
"England's King of the Clarinet", while making about 200 records for
HMV.
It is interesting to note that Kenny Ball, later a successful bandleader in his own right, was originally trained by Sid while playing in his band. Though world famous for the clarinet Sid also loved the piano which he would often play as a 'special' during a concert. ("Kitten on the Keys" was one of his favourites.). Few folks now recall that he was also an accomplished boxer- a strange hobby for a musician who must protect his hands.. He also loved to play Cricket.
In 1973 while playing his beloved cricket, Sid suffered a
heart attack was rushed to the local Chertsey hospital where he died a few days
later, - just three weeks before his 66th birthday. (info from British Big
bands Database)
Clarinet playing bandleader, Sid Phillips, is best remembered for his 1949 recording of 'Hors d'oeuvres', and his signature tune 'Clarinet Cadenza'. His earliest recordings were in the late 1920s, but his HMV single 'I Found A New Baby' was released in November 1954 - and the Band made this television appearance in May 1955. Kenny Ball who later enjoyed a successful career fronting his own trad band, is the featured trumpet player on this clip.
1 comment:
For “Sid Phillips – Ridin’ High” go here:
http://www61.zippyshare.com/v/GGygUeWI/file.html
1. Serenata
2. Ridin' High
3. Wabash Blues
4. Pennsylvania 6-5000
5. Yodel In Swing
6. Southern Fried
7. Eeny, Meeny, Miney Mo
8. Strut Miss Lizzie
9. Man About Town
10. Hawaiian War Chant
11. Music For All
12. The Dark Town Strutter's Ball
13. Anything Goes
14. Royal Garden Blues
15. Who's Sorry Now
16. In the Mood
17. Copenhagen
18. Woe Is Me
19. Amoresque
20. Plain Jane
21. Mia Mia
22. Give Out
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