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| Tommy McQuater... |
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Trumpet and flugelhorn player Tommy McQuater was born in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland in September, 1914. He started playing the cornet at the age of eleven and began playing professionally in his teens. In the period up to the start of the second world war he worked with top bands including Jack Payne, Lew Stone and Ambrose and freelanced extensively, including sessions with Benny Carter in 1936 and 1937.He joined the RAF in 1940 and became a founder member of the Squadronaires with whom he played throughout the war and for a period after before joining the BBC Show Band in 1952. He also played in Kenny Baker's Dozen as well as taking part in innumerable freelance sessions for films, television, radio and recordings. |
Through the 1960s he played with Jack Parnell's ATV Orchestra as well as undertaking sessions as lead trumpeter and jazz soloist. He accompanied many top US visitors including Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Barbra Streisand, Nat 'King' Cole and Benny Goodman. Following injuries sustained in an accident in 1988 he continued to play jazz club dates including a small group partnership with trumpt player Johnny McLevy which had begun in the 1970s. He died in January, 2008 at the age of 93. (Tommy McQuater's jazz discography is mostly as a big band trumpeter, often alongside Kenny Baker which means that his solo opportunities were rare. Only a number of currently available early recordings with George Chisholm enable his solo skills to be heard...) |
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Danny Polo was an American musician who came to the UK to be a featured soloist with the Ambrose band. He led a couple of recording sessions in the late 1930s... Danny Polo and his Swing Stars - January 11th, 1938 (Decca) Tommy McQuater (cnt), George Chisholm (tb), Danny Polo (cl), Eddie Macauley (p), Norman Brown (g), Dick Ball (b), Dudley Barber (d). Jazz Me Blues (two takes)**#/Don't Try Your Jive On Me*#/Mazeltov*#/If You were The Only Girl In The World (two takes)^**#. (*Timeless CD - George Chisholm - Early Days) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) George Chisholm and his Jive Five - October 12th, 1938 (Decca) Tommy McQuater (cnt), George Chisholm (tb), Benny Winestone (cl,ts), Eddie Macauley (p), Tiny Winters (b), Dudley Barber (d). Let's Go (two takes)**#/No Smoking*/To Stop The Train Pull The Chain (unissued)/Archer Street Drag*#/Rosetta*/You'll Always Be Mine*# (*Timeless CD - George Chisholm - Early Days) (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) November 10th, 1938 (Decca) Personnel as October 12th, add Al Ferguson (g). Penalty 5 Pounds*/No Smoking*. (*Timeless CD - George Chisholm - Early Days) (*Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) Melody Maker's Competition Band - May 31st, 1942 (Decca) Dave Wilkins, Kenny Baker, Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm, Woolf Phillips (tb), Harry Parry (cl), Harry Hayes (as), George Evans, Aubrey Frank, Reggie Dare (ts), George Shearing (p), Joe Deniz (g), Tommy Bromley (b), Jock Cummings (d). Red Duster Rag*/Red Duster Rag. (*Hep Records CD - Kenny Baker, Birth of a Legend '41-'46) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Jazz in Britain 1919 - 1950) Victor Silvester's Jive Band - November 13th, 1943 (Columbia FB2980) Frenchie Sartell (tp), George Chisholm (tb), E.O. Pogson (cl,ts), Slim Wilson (p), Archie Slavin (g), George Senior (b), Ben Edwards (d), Victor Silvester (arr,ldr). Stompin' At The Savoy*#/Way Down Yonder In New Orleans*/Ida (unissued). (*Vocalion CD - Victor Silvester Stars over Rio) (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) Victor Silvester's Jive Band - December 18th, 1943 (Columbia FB2989) Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm (tb), E.O. Pogson (cl,ts), Billy Munn (p), Archie Slavin (g), George Senior (b), Ben Edwards (d), Victor Silvester (arr,ldr). Pardon Me Pretty Baby/Crazy Rhythm. January 14th, 1944 (Columbia FB2996) Personnel as December 18th, 1943. I'm Coming Virginia/Poor Butterfly#. (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) Victor Silvester's Jive Band - February 12th, 1944 (Columbia FB3004) Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm (tb), E.O. Pogson (cl,ts), Billy Munn (p), George Elliott (g), George Senior (b), Ben Edwards (d), Victor Silvester (arr,ldr). I Wish I Were Twins/You Took Advantage Of Me*. (*Vocalion CD - Victor Silvester Stars over Rio) February 17th, 1944 (Columbia FB3008) Personnel as February 12th. How Am I To Know/Ida#. (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) George Chisholm and his Orchestra - May 23rd, 1944 (Decca) Tommy McQuater, Kenny Baker, Stan Roderick, Alfie Noakes (tp), George Chisholm, Eric Breeze, Bruce Campbell (tb), Harry Hayes Dougie Robinson (as), Andy McDevitt, Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Jimmy Durant (bs,sop), Billy Munn (p), Ivor Mairants (g), Jack Collier (b), Jock Cummings (d). Mood For Trumpet*/All Is Not Gold That Jitters*#. (#Hep Records CD - Kenny Baker, Birth of a Legend '41-'46) (*Timeless CD - George Chisholm - Early Days) (#Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) George Chisholm and his Jive Eight - May 23rd, 1944 (Decca) Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Andy McDevitt (cl), Harry Hayes (as), Jimmy Skidmore (ts), Billy Munn (p), Ivor Mairants (g), Jack Collier (b), Jock Cummings (d). Little Earle*/Broadhurst Garden Blues*. (*Timeless CD - George Chisholm - Early Days) (*Retrospective CD - George Chisholm The Gentleman of Jazz - A Centenary Tribute) Bertie King's Jazzband - October 28th, 1954 (Columbia) Tommy McQuater (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Bertie King (ts,cl), Mike McKenzie (p), Cedric West (g), Sammy Stokes (b), Eddie Taylor (d). Rosetta/All Of Me/Big House Blues/Small Hour Fantasy. Kenny Baker and his Dozen - May 26th, 1955 (Nixa NPT19020) Kenny Baker, Tommy McQuater (tp), Jackie Armstrong, George Chisholm (tb), EO Pogson, Harry Hayes, Keith Bird (reeds), Derek Collins (ts) Harry Klein (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Bill Le Sage (vib), Lennie Bush (b), Phil Seamen (d). Bugler's Lament/There'll Never Be Another You/If You Were The Only Girl/Whistle And I'll Come To You/Gal From Joe's/Coquette/We'll Always Be Sweethearts/Too Cool For The Blues*. (*Castle 3 CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - November 2nd, 1955 (Parlophone) Derek Abbott, Bill Metcalf, Charlie Evans, Tommy McQuater (tp), Garry Brown, Laurie Monk, Bill Geldard, Danny Elwood (tb), Johnny Dankworth, Rex Rutley (as), Pete Warner, John Xerri (ts), Alex Leslie (bs), Dave Lee (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Kenny Clare (d). Feather Merchant*/Indiana*^. (^Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959) (*Avid 2 CD set - Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine - Spread a Little Happiness) (^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth) (*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth) Kenny Baker and his Dozen - February 2nd, 1957 (BBC Light programme "Let's Settle For Music") Kenny Baker (tp,flhrn), Tommy McQuater (tp), Keith Christie (tb,v-tb), George Chisholm (tb), EO Pogson (bs sax,ocarina), Harry Hayes (as), Keith Bird (cl,ts), Derek Collins (cl) Harry Klein (bs), Derek Smith (p), Bill Le Sage (vib,acc), Lennie Bush (b), Phil Seamen (d). John's Idea*/Someone To Watch Over Me*/It's Only A Paper Moon*/Down In Our Alley Blues*/Would You Like To Take A Walk*/You're Lucky To Me*/Sister Kate*/Kansas City Kitty*/Cherry Point*/Love For Sale*/Alice Blue Gown*/Ill Wind*/Swinging On C*. (*Acrobat 2 CD - Kenny Baker's Dozen Live at the BBC 1957) Kenny Baker and his Dozen - February 16th, 1957 (BBC Light programme "Let's Settle For Music") Kenny Baker (tp,flhrn), Tommy McQuater (tp), Ken Wray (bass-tp,v-tb), George Chisholm (tb), Harry Hayes (as), Keith Bird (cl,ts), Derek Collins (cl) Harry Klein (bs), Derek Smith (p), Bill Le Sage (vib,acc), Lennie Bush (b), Phil Seamen (d). Autobahn Blues*/Mood for Trumpet*/You're In Kentucky Sure As You're Born*/Charlie The Chulo*/East Of The Sun*/My Sweetie Went Away*/Black And Blue*/Sensation Rag*/I Love You Samantha*/Cottontail*/Progressive Gavotte*/Darn That Dream*/Moten Swing*. (*Acrobat 2 CD - Kenny Baker's Dozen Live at the BBC 1957) Johnny Keating All Stars - April 29th and 30th, 1957 (Swinging Scots - London LTZD 15122)(JM1058) Bobby Pratt, Tommy McQuater, Eddie Blair, Duncan Campbell, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Jock Bain, Jimmy Wilson, Wally Smith, George Chisholm (tb), Burt Harden (tu), George Hunter, Ronnie Baker (as), Tommy Whittle, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Andy Dennits (p), Alan Metcalfe (g), Jack Seymour (b), Bobby Orr (d). Hampden Roars*/Down South Blues*/Clachnacudan Local*. (*Vocalion CD - British Jazz & Swinging Scots) Kenny Baker and his Dozen - May 26th, 1957 (Nixa NPT19020) Kenny Baker, Tommy McQuater (tp), Jackie Armstrong, George Chisholm (tb), EO Pogson, Harry Hayes, Keith Bird (reeds), Derek Collins (ts) Harry Klein (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Bill Le Sage (vib), Lennie Bush (b), Phil Seamen (d). Bugler's Lament/There'll Never Be Another You/If You Were The Only Girl/Whistle And I'll come To You/Gal From Joe's/Coquette/We'll Always Be Sweethearts/Too cool for The Blues. Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - May 14th, 1959 (HMV) Ronnie Simmonds, Tommy McQuater, unknown (tp), George Chisholm, unknown (tb), Bob Burns, Duggie Robinson (as), Bob Adams, unknown (ts), Phil Goody (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Dave Goldberg (g), Lennie Bush (b), Jack Parnell (d). Kansas City/The Golden Striker*. (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - March 11th, 1960 (Phillips) Ronnie Simmonds, Tommy McQuater, Basil Jones, Freddy Clayton (tp), George Chisholm, unknown (tb), Bob Burns, Duggie Robinson (as), Bob Adams, Frank Reidy (ts), Phil Goody (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Dave Goldberg (g), Lennie Bush (b), Jack Parnell (d), Bob Midgley (perc). 77 Sunset Strip/Then Ride . |
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