Ted Heath

Ted Heath

Source: Jazz Wax

British trombonist, Ted Heath, was the UK's major version of a swing bandleader. Born on 30 March 1902 in South London, Heath's father ran a band called the Wandsworth Town Brass Band. Ted took up tenor horn at age six, shifting to trombone at age twelve. He was in a band with his brother, Harold, when he began working for Jack Hylton. He then joined the American band, the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, on tour to Europe. Come the Metro-Gnomes until 1928 when he joined the orchestra of Bert Ambrose at The May Fair Hotel in London.

Heath is thought to have first recorded trombone on February 20, 1922, in Middlesex with Rector's Paramount Six, those titles unissued: 'After a While' and 'Everybody Step' [Lord]. His first recordings to see release are thought to have gone down in January 1925 with the Hannan Dance Band per 'No One Knows What It's All About' (Columbia 3598). 'Suite 16' followed c 18 March toward Columbia 3653. Heath also put down tracks in 1925 with the Corona Dance Band led by Stan Greening and the Kit-Cat Band run by Hylton.

'Camel Walk'   Ted Heath (trombone) w the Kit-Cat Band led by Jack Hylton

Recorded 20 Nov 1925 in Middlesex   HMV B-2230

Trumpet: Tom Smith / Edwin Knight

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Al Starita / Jim Kelleher / George Smith

Piano: Sid Bright or Fred Hartley  Violin: Hugo Rignold

Banjo: Len Fillis  Tuba: Alfred Fields

Drums: Eric Little   Vocal: Al Starita

Composition: Bob Shafer / Chris Smith / Cecil Mack / Tim Brymn

'Headin' for Louisville'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Bert Firman's Dance Orchestra

Recorded 26 Jan 1926 in Middlesex

1 of 2 takes issued on either Zono 2709 or WRC SHB30

Trumpet: Max Goldberg / Vernon Ferry

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Herb Finney / Arthur Lally / Alec Avery

Piano / cello / arrangement: Cecil Norman

Violin / vocal: Bert Firman

Banjo / guitar / tuba: Joe Brannelly

Drums: Warwick Barnes

Heath had replaced Sam Acres in the orchestra of Bert Ambrose in time for 'Singapore Sorrows' on April 2, 1928 in which band he sat into 1936. He later joined Ambrose leading the Melody Maker Competition Band in 1942 toward 'I Didn't Want to Walk Without You'. The Melody Maker Band was a revolving outfit per the 'Melody Maker' music industry trade paper.

'Singapore Sorrows'   Ted Heath (trombone) w the Bert Ambrose Orchestra

Recorded 2 April 1928 in Middlesex   HMV B5464

Trumpet: Leslie Berkin / Dennis Ratcliffe

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Perley Breed / Jack Miranda / Joe Crossman

Piano: Leo Kahn   Banjo / guitar: Joe Brannelly

Bass brass: Dick Escott   Drums: Max Bacon

Composition: Jack Le Soir / Ray Doll

Heath's first tracks with the band of Philip Lewis went down on October 1, 1929, his last on August 19, 1930, resulting in 'Livin' In the Sunlight' et al.

'Tryin''   Ted Heath (trombone) w Philip Lewis & His Orchestra

Recorded 14 Nov 1929 in London   Matrix MB655-1   Decca F1600

Trumpet: Sylvester Ahola / Dennis Ratcliffe

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Arthur Lally / Danny Polo / Johnny Helfer or Joe Crossman

Piano: Claude Ivy   Banjo: Joe Brannelly

Vibes: Max Bacon or Rudy Starita

Bass brass: Tiny Stock   Drums: Max Bacon   Vocal: Maurice Elwin

Composition: Valeria May

'Three Little Words'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Philip Lewis & His Orchestra

Recorded 14 Nov 1929 in London   Matrix MB656-1   Decca F1600

Trumpet: Sylvester Ahola / Dennis Ratcliffe

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Arthur Lally / Danny Polo / Johnny Helfer or Joe Crossman

Piano: Claude Ivy   Banjo: Joe Brannelly

Vibes: Max Bacon or Rudy Starita

Bass brass: Tiny Stock   Drums: Max Bacon   Vocal: Maurice Elwin

Composition: Hart / Bright

Heath's first title with Joe Brannelly had been back on 20 July of 1925 with Bert Firman's Dance Orchestra toward 'Who takes care of the caretaker's daughter' issued on Zono 2617 and WRC SHB30. Ted and Brannelly worked together in the Bert Ambrose Orchestra to as late as 1936. In the meantime Heath joined Brannelly's Blue Mountaineers on February 29, 1932 for 'In the Jailhouse Now' and 'Open Up Dem Pearly Gates'. His last with the Mountaineers went down on March 27, 1933 toward 'Won't You Stay to Tea?' and 'There's a Tiny Little Hair on Your Shoulder'.

'Is I In Love? I Is!'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Joe Brannelly's Blue Mountaineers

Recorded 27 July 1932 in London   Broadcast 3227

Trumpet: Nat Gonella   Trombone: Possibly Tony Thorpe

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Billy Amstell / Joe Crossman / Joe Jeanette

Piano: Bert Read   Guitar / banjo: Joe Brannelly

Vibes: Max Bacon or Rudy Starita

Tuba: Don Stutely   Drums: Max Bacon   Vocal: Sam Browne

Music: L. Russell Robinson   Lyrics: Mercer Cook

Among Heath's frequent partners, both supporting each other's projects and other bands, was clarinetist and saxophonist, Freddy Gardner. Heath and Gardner first recorded together on October 17, 1932, with Phil Allen's Merrymakers: 'Since I Fell In Love With Emmalina'. Gardner last supported Heath's orchestra on January 28, 1946, for 'Wotcher!' and 'Bakerloo Nonstop'.

'Since I Fell In Love With Emmalina'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Phil Allen's Merrymakers

Recorded 17 Oct 1932 in London   Eclipse 288

Trumpet: Billy Farrell / Claude Findlay    Trombone: Claude Findlay

Clarinet / alto sax: Freddy Gardner / Harry Hayes   Tenor sax: Buddy Featherstonhaugh

Violin: Reg Pursglove   Piano: Cecil Norman and/or Harry Robens

Guitar: Jack Simmonds   Drums: Max Abrams   Vocal: Les Allen

Arrangement: Ted Heath   Composition: Tyler Galpin

Another of Heath's frequent partners was clarinetist and saxophonist, Sid Phillips. First recording with Phillips in the Bert Ambrose Orchestra on October 5, 1933 ('Dinner at Eight'), Heath and Phillips partnered on multiple occasions, both backing other operations and each other. Their last session was in December of 1939, Heath siding Phillips on such as 'Music For You' and 'Plain Jane'.

'Dinner At Eight'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra

Recorded 5 Oct 1933 in London   Brunswick 01606

Trumpet: Max Goldberg / Harry Owen    Trombone: Tony Thorpe

Reeds (clarinet / alto sax): Danny Polo / Sid Phillips / Joe Jeanette / Billy Amstell

Violin: Ernie Lewis / Reg Pursglove   Piano: Bert Read   Guitar: Joe Brannelly

Bass: Dick Ball   Drums: Max Bacon   Vocal: Sam Browne

Music: Jimmy McHugh   Lyrics: Dorothy Fields

'Three's Company'   Ted Heath (trombone) w the Lew Davis Trombone Trio

Recorded 13 Nov 1935 in London   Matrix TB-2063-1   Decca F-5804

Trombone: Lew Davis / Tony Thorpe

Celeste: Sid Phillips   Piano: Bert Barnes   Guitar: Joe Brannelly

Bass: Dick Ball   Drums: Max Bacon

Composition: Lew Davis

'Three of a Kind'   Ted Heath (trombone) w the Lew Davis Trombone Trio

Recorded 13 Nov 1935 in London   Matrix TB-2064-1   Decca F-5804

Trombone: Lew Davis / Tony Thorpe

Celeste: Sid Phillips   Piano: Bert Barnes   Guitar: Joe Brannelly

Bass: Dick Ball   Drums: Max Bacon

Composition: Lew Davis

On April 15, 1936, Heath laid tracks with Benny Carter in London when the latter was touring Europe, among them: 'Swingin' at the Maida Vale', 'Night Fall' and 'Big Ben Blues'.

'These Foolish Things'   Ted Heath (trombone) w Benny Carter and His Orchestra

Recorded 15 April 1936 in London   Vocalion 5

Trumpet: Benny Carter / Max Goldberg / Tommy McQuater / Duncan Whyte

Reeds (clarinet / sax): Benny Carter / Andy McDevitt / E. O. Pogson / Buddy Featherstonhaugh

Trombone: Bill Mulraney   Piano: Pat Dodd   Guitar: George Elliott

String bass: Al Burke   Drums: Ronnie Gubertini

Music: Jack Strachey   Lyrics: Eric Maschwitz as Holt Marvell

Heath put together his first band in 1944 to broadcast for the BBC. His first session as a leader that year included such as 'South of the Border' and 'Caravan'. He first appeared in film, 'London Town', in 1945.

'Opus 1'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 18 Dec 1944 in London   Decca F8512

Trumpet: Kenny Baker / Max Goldberg / Arthur Mouncey / Cliff Haines

Trombone: Harry Roche / Jock Bain / Woolf Phillips / Les Carew

Sax: Les Gilbert / Harry Smith / Aubrey Franks / Norman Impey / Bill Lewington

Piano: Ronnie Selby   Guitar: Freddie Phillips

String bass: George Garnet   Drums: Jack Parnell

Composition: Sy Oliver

'Birmingham Bounce'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 25 May 1950 in London   London 726

Vocal: Jack Parnell   Composition: Ray Noble

It was 1950 that Heath hired vocalist, Lita Roza, to his orchestra, for which he is perhaps best known. His first Royal Command Performance was for King George VI in 1951. His second arrived in 1954 for Queen Elizabeth II. In 1956 he visited America, touring with June Christy and Nat King Cole. Heath toured the States, Australia and Europe a number of times over the years.

'Blacksmith Blues'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 26 March 1952 in London   Decca F9911

Vocal: Lita Roza   Composition: Jack Holmes

'Hot Toddy'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 3 March 1953 in London   Decca F10093   UK charts: #6

Composition: Herb Hendler / Ralph Flanagan

'Skin Deep'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 13 Jan 1954 in London   Decca F10246

Trumpet: Kenny Baker / Bobby Pratt / Duncan Campbell / Stan Reynolds / Ronnie Hughes

Trombone: Don Lusher / Ric Kennedy / Maurice Pratt /Jimmy Coombes

Sax: Les Gilbert / Roy Willox / Danny Moss / Henry Mackenzie / George Hunter

Piano: Frank Horrox   String bass: Johnny Hawksworth   Drums: Ronnie Verrell

Composition: Louis Belson

'Hawaiian War Chant' in 1956 was originally composed broadly circa 1865 by Prince Leleiohoku, Kingdom of Hawaii. Originally a love song titled 'Kāua I Ka Huahuaʻi' ('We Two in the Spray'). That saw issue in June 1911 by the Crowel Glee Club on Columbia Records. The song received English lyrics in 1936 from Ralph Freed, Ray Noble altering the melody a bit about that time as well. Tommy Dorsey released a version in November 1938 on Victor. The song was also featured in the 1942 film, 'Ships Ahoy'.

'Hawaiian War Chant'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 1 May 1956 at Carnegie Hall in NYC

Album: 'Ted Heath at Carnegie Hall' on Decca LK4165

Trumpet: Bobby Pratt / Bert Ezard / Duncan Campbel / Eddie Blair

Trombone: Wally Smith / Don Lusher / Jimmy Coombes / Ric Kennedy

Sax: Les Gilbert / Ronnie Chamberlain / Henry Mackenzie / Red Price / Ken Kiddier

Piano: Frank Horrox   String bass: Johnny Hawksworth   Drums: Ronnie Verrell

Composition: Prince Leleiohoku of Hawaii   C 1865

In 1958 Heath managed to record nine albums. He supplied music to the film, 'It's a Wonderful World' released in 1959.

'Swingin` Shepherd Blues'   Ted Heath and His Music

Issued March 1958 on Decca 45-F 11003   UK charts: #3

Composition: Moe Koffman

'Amor'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded Jan 1960   Decca LK4389 / London LL3195

Composition: Ricardo López Méndez / Gabriel Ruiz

'Drum Crazy'   Ted Heath and His Music

Recorded 13 April 1961   Visual source of this soundtrack unidentified

Album: 'Big Band Percussion' on London SP 44002 in 1961 / Decca LK4165 in 1962

Trumpet: Bobby Pratt or Ed Courtly / Bert Ezard / Duncan Campbel / Eddie Blair

Trombone: Johnny Edwards / Keith Christie / Ted Barker / Ken Goldie

Sax: Les Gilbert / Ronnie Chamberlain / Dennis Walton / Bob Efford / Henry Mackenzie / Ken Kiddier

Piano: Derek Warne   Guitar: Ike Isaacs String bass: Johnny Hawksworth

Drums: Ronnie Verrell / Kenny Clare

Composition: Irving Berlin

Heath collapsed on stage on his 62nd birthday in 1964 of cerebral thrombosis. He continued to perform and record, though toured less. Tom Lord traces his latest sessions to his album, 'Big Band Spirituals' in May of 1964. Heath died on 18 November 1969 in Surrey, England. By the end of his career spanning more than five decades Heath had recorded more than a hundred albums and sold 20 million of them. His band's library of commissioned original arrangements exceeded eight hundred.

Geraldo Bright born England:

HMR Project   Wikipedia

Roy Fox born America:

Spike Hughes born England:

HMR Project   Wikipedia