|
| Carl Barriteau... |
|
|
Carl Barriteau was born in Trinidad, West Indies in 1914. He received his first musical tuition at the Belmont Orphanage in Trinidad and later gigged with Bert McLean's Jazz Hounds before moving to Britain in May, 1937. Twelve days later he joined Ken "Snakehips" Johnson's band to play alto sax and clarinet. The clarinet had now become his main instrument and his style became neare to Artie Shaw than Benny Goodman. He worked with Johnson until the air raid at the Cafe de Paris in March, 1941 that killed the leader and seriously injured Barriteau with a broken wrist. Later in 1941 Barriteau reformed Johnson's band for a handful of Jazz Jamboree concerts and some BBC dates before forming his own band at the Cotton Club. Work followed with Lew Stone, Ambrose, Hatchett's Swingtette and Geraldo before he formed his own West Indian Dance Orchestra for gigs and radio work in May 1942. For the rest of the war he led his own bands for radio, variety tours and in 1945 toured Europe for ENSA.After the war he continued to lead his band for a variety of club and one-night stands and from May 1949 had a two year residency at the Eldorado Ballroom in Leith, Scotland. He was with Cyril Stapleton for almost a year up to March 1952 when he reformed his own band. This was a 10-piece, and was quite successful, coming fourth in both the Melody Maker and New Musical Express Swing Polls of 1954. Pete King, co-owner of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club was a member of his band. As a soloist, Barriteau won the Melody Maker Clarinet Poll seven years in a row. His ability was held in such regard that he worked with contemporary acts of the 50�s, such as The Platters. In 1957 he switched to a solo career, also working as a double act with Mae Cooper his wife and he appeared on television in the UK, Belgium and Holland. In 1970s they emigrated to Australia and continued to tour extensively throughout Australasia and the Orient, and also played on cruise liners. He eventually becoming an Australian citizen and died in August 1998. |
 The most comprehensive collection of Barriteau recordings has been made available by Empress Records, on Carl Barriteau: The Man And His Music (RAJCD 896). It contains 23 tracks and covers his career as a bandleader and soloist with other orchestras. In 1957 he switched to a solo career, also working as a double act with Mae Cooper his wife and he appeared on television in the UK, Belgium and Holland. In 1970s they emigrated to Australia and continued to tour extensively throughout Australasia and the Orient, and also played on cruise liners. He eventually becoming an Australian citizen and died in August 1998. The black British swing bands... |
|
Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and his West Indian Dance Orchestra - July 17th, 1938 (Acetate air check) Dave Wilkins, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Wally Bowen (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Carl Barriteau (cl), Bertie King (cl,as), George Roberts, Dave 'Baba' Williams (as,ts), Errol Barrow (p), Joe Deniz (g), Abe 'Pops' Clare (b), Tommy Wilson (d), Betty Dale (voc). Washington Squabble*/Please Be Kind (vocal BD)*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) September 22nd, 1938 (Decca) Personnel as July 17th except Betty Dale out. Snakehips Swing*^/Exactly Like You*/The Sheik Of Araby*/My Buddy*. (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson and his West Indian Dance Orchestra - January 29th, 1940 (HMV) Dave Wilkins, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Jack Cosker (tp), Freddie Butt (tb), Carl Barriteau , Bertie King (cl,as), George Roberts, Dave 'Baba' Williams (as,ts), Errol Barrow (p), Joe Deniz (g), Ernie Stevens (b), Tommy Wilson (d), Don Johnson, Pat O'Regan (vcl). Seventeen Candles (vcl PO)/Goodnight, My Beautiful (vcl PO)/Give Me My Ranch (vcl DJ)*/I'm In Love For The Last Time (vcl PO). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) February 27th, 1940 (HMV) Personnel as January 29th. A Small Cafe By Notre Dame (vcl DJ)/Tuxedo Junction*/Ida*/Careless (vcl DJ). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) April 24th, 1940 (HMV) Personnel as January 29th except add Al Bowlly and the Henderson Twins (vcl). It's A Blue World (vcl DJ)/Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind (vcl AB-HT)*/It Was A Lover And His Lass (vcl AB-HT)*/Sing A Round-up Song (vcl DJ). (*Topic Records CD - Black British Swing) First English public Jam session - November 16th, 1941 (HMV) Kenny Baker (tp), Lad Busby (tb), Carl Barriteau (cl,ldr), Buddy Featherstonhaugh (ts), Dick Katz (p), Frank Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), George Firestone (d). Tea For Two (part 1)*/Tea For Two (part 2)*. (*Hep Records CD - Kenny Baker, Birth of a Legend '41-'46) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - January 6th, 1944 (Decca) Carl Barriteau (cl,as,vcl), Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson, Kenny Baker, Jack Cosker (tp), Harry Roche, Jack Bentley (tb), Dougie Robinson (as), Norman Impey, Joe Appleton (ts), Stanley Black (p), Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Clinton Maxwell (d). Ol' Man Mose (vcl CB), Concerto For Clarinet (Part 1)/Concerto For Clarinet (Part 2). February 23rd, 1944 (Decca) Personnel as January 5th. Down For Double (unissued)/A Sultan Goes To Harlem/The Touch Of Your Lips (unissued). Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - May 8th, 1944 (Decca) Personnel probably similar to January 6th. Add Mae Cooper (vcl). Am I Blue/I'll Get By (vcl MC)/Somebody Loves Me (vcl MC)/I Wished On The Moon. Carl Barriteau and his Orchestra - August 28th, 1944 (Decca) Personnel probably similar to January 6th. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (vcl CB)/Minor Mood. With the increasing interest in the new modern jazz sounds at this time, the 'Melody Maker' and 'Columbia Records' held a joint jazz rally at which the Harry Hayes Band and the Woolf Phillips group played. Melody Maker's Jazz Rally - June 29th, 1947 (All issued on Columbia) Frank Weir, Carl Barriteau (cl), Harry Hayes, Bertie King (as), Tommy Whittle (ts), Ralph Sharon (p), Dave Goldberg (g), Jack Collier (b), Jock Cummings (d). Confessin'/C Jam Blues/Thriving On A Riff*. (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) |
|