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Mac Minshull, Laurie Monk
Mac Minshull
Trombone player Mac Minshull was born in Manchester in 1926 and played piano and trumpet before switching to trombone. After working in the Manchester area with various dance bands he came to London in 1949 to join the Leon Roy Orchestra and also worked with Vic Lewis. In 1950 he worked with Johnny Dankworth before joining Ken Mackintosh on the dance band scene again.
He joined Jack Parnell from 1952 to 1954 and then joined Ronnie Scott's legendary nine piece band for a month from August to September in 1954. He worked again with Scott in Scott's shortlived big band in 1955 before leaving the UK, and the music business to work in Alaska. He played again in Montreal, Canada from 1957 to 1961 and then, after a spell in the US, returned to the Manchester area to work with Phil Moss's Orchestra at the Ritz. Freelanced for a while before emigrating to Australia in the early 1960s to join a religious sect.

Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - June, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3014, recorded in Hamburg)
Micky Meene, Norman McCaskill, Johnny Oldfield, Harold Luff (tp), Don Lang, Stan Smith, Mac Minshull (tb), Peter Howe, Ronnie Chamberlain (cl,as,sop), Kathy Stobart, Vince Bovill (ts), Jack Phillips (bs), Dill Jones (p), Al Ferdman (g), John Honeyman (b), Peter Coleman (d), Vic Lewis (dir).
Harlem Holiday. (Fourteen other titles recorded have not been issued).

June, 1949 (Harlequin HQ3014/DJM*, concert Garrison Theatre, Hamburg)
Personnel as above.
Elegy For Alto*/I Told Ya I Love Ya/Collaboration/Metronome Riff. (Eight other titles recorded have not been issued).

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - October 28th, 1952 (Parlophone PMD1053)
Jimmy Deuchar, Albert Hall, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Pete King (ts,bs-cl), Harry Klein (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d).
Catherine Wheel^#/The Champ^*/Summertime^.
(*Giant Steps Records CD - Great Scott)
(^Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)

(#EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Ronnie Scott "Boppin' With Scott")
(^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - January 1st, 1953 (Parlophone)
Jimmy Deuchar, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Joe Temperley (ts), Pete King (ts,bs-cl), Harry Klein (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d).
Waltzing The Blues*.
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - April 8th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053^)
Jimmy Watson, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Jo Adams (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Night Train*/The Hawk Talks*^.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - June 4th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053^)
Jimmy Deuchar, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Jo Adams (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d).
Topaz*/Carioca*^.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

June 19th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053)
Personnel as June 4th.
Cotton Tail*/April In Paris*.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

Jack Parnell and his Music Makers - October 1st, 1953 (Parlophone)
Hank Shaw, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Jack Fallon (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d).
Dragnet*/Fuller Bounce#*.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(#EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(#Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - December 12th, 1953 (Parlophone)
Hank Shaw, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis (tp), Mac Minshull, Bobby Lamb, Robin Kay (tb), Bob Burns, Jimmy Phillips (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Kenny Napper (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d).
The Creep/Route66*.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

January 6th, 1954 (Parlophone PMD1053^)
Add Jimmy Tobbett (tb), Dennis Hale (vocal), otherwise personnel as December 12th, 1953.
Skin Deep*^/Devil's Eyes* (voc)/Melancholy Serenade (voc)*.
(^Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

February 25th, 1954 (Parlophone)
Personnel as January 6th.
Knock Out*^/Kick Off*^/Blowin' Wild* (voc).
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

June 10th, 1954 (Parlophone)
Bob Burns out, Tubby Hayes (ts) replaces Joe Temperley.
Sure Thing*.
(*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade)
(*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing)
(*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant)
(*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps)

Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - cJuly, 1954 (Parlophone)
Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis, Hank Shaw (tp), Bobby Lamb, Jimmy Tobbett, Mac Minshull (tb), Jimmy Phillips (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Kenny Napper (b), Phil Seamen (d), Annie Ross, Dennis Hale (vocal).
Annie's Blues (voc AR)/The Bandit (voc DH).

Ronnie Scott Orchestra - September 7th, 1954 (Esquire 32.006)
Ronnie Scott (ts), Derek Humble (as), Pete King (ts), Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Mac Minshull (tb), Benny Green (bs), Victor Feldman (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (d).
Fine And Dandy/Bouncin' With Bud (JD, DH + rhythm only)/Things Ain't What They Used To Be/Serenade In Blue (VF vibes, +b and d)/Humble Pie/'Cuse These Bloos/Perdido/Tenderly/Fuller Bop Man/Nice Work If You Can Get It (VF vibes, +b and d)/Tin Tin Deo/Fools Rush In (RS + rhythm only)/In The Land Of Nimbupani.

Ronnie Scott Orchestra - October 11th, 1955 (Esquire EP85) (JMC28)
Stan Palmer, Hank Shaw, Dave Usden, Jimmy Watson, (tp) Jack Botterill, Robin Kaye, Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (tb), Joe Harriott, Doug Robinson (as), Pete King, Ronnie Scott (ts), Benny Green (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Eric Peter (b), Phil Seamen (d).
Bang*/With Every Breath I Take*/A Night In Tunisia*/The Big Fist*.
(*Giant Steps CD - Killer Joe: Birth Of A Legend)
(*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Ronnie Scott "Boppin' With Scott")

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Laurie Monk
Trombone player Laurie Monk was born in the midlands in 1924 and worked in the Birmingham area before moving to London in 1952 to work with Oscar Rabin. He worked briefly with Vic Lewis in 1953 and also had his own band that year. In 1954 he worked with Jimmy Walker and his own band before joining Johnny Dankworth in September, 1955 where he remained for five years becoming featured trombone soloist. In the early 1960s he played for various dance bands, as well as freelancing before leaving full time playing to become a BBC radio producer. He died in May, 1986.

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)


December 15th, 1955 (Parlophone)
Personnel as November 2nd except Frank Donlan (tp), and Ronnie Fenwick (as), replaceTommy McQuater and Rex Rutley.
Crazy Rhythm (unissued)/Moby Dick*.
(*Avid 2 CD set - Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine - Spread a Little Happiness)

January 20th, 1956 (Journey into jazz - Parlophone PMD1042*)
Personnel as December 15th.
Memories Of You^/Itinerary For An Orchestra*.
(^Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959)
(^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)

(*Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

March 7th, 1956 (Journey into jazz - Parlophone PMD1042)
Personnel as December 15th except Dougie Roberts (tp) replaces Frank Donlan.
Jersey Bounce*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(*Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

This was the first recording date for Dankworth's new big band lineup of 5 trumpets, 5 trombones and only 3 saxophones, + rhythm.
Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - May 10th, 1956 (Parlophone)
Derek Abbott, Bill Metcalf, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright, Dougie Roberts (tp), Garry Brown, Harry Buckles, Laurie Monk, Bill Geldard, Danny Elwood (tb), Johnny Dankworth (as,cl), Pete Warner (ts), Alex Leslie (bs), Dave Lee (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Experiments With Mice^*/Applecake*.
(^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)

(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

August 9th, 1956 (Journey into Jazz - Parlophone PMD1042^)
Personnel as May 10th, except Eric Dawson (b) replaces Bill Sutcliffe.
Blues In The Night/Adios*^/Take The 'A' Train^.
(*Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959)
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(^Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(^Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

December 19th, 1956 (Parlophone)
Personnel as August 9th, except Tony Russell (tb), Bill Harrington (ts), replace Harry Buckles and Pete Warner.
All Clare*/Melbourne Marathon*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

February 1st, 1957 (Parlophone)
Personnel as December 19th.
Duke's Joke^/Coquette^*.
(*Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(^Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - March 21st, 1957 (5 Steps to Dankworth - Parlophone PMC1043)
Dickie Hawdon, Derek Abbott, Bill Metcalf, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright (tp), Jack Botterill, Garry Brown, Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood (tb), Johnny Dankworth (as), Tommy Whittle (ts), Alex Leslie (bs,cl), Dave Lee (p), Eric Dawson (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Somebody Loves Me*/Limehouse Blues*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - May 21st, 1957 (Parlophone)
Personnel as March 21st, except Ted Barker (tb) and Danny Moss (ts,cl) replace Jack Botterill and Tommy Whittle.
Big Jazz Story*/Firth Of Fourths^.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(^Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(*^Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - August 29th, 1957 (5 Steps to Dankworth - Parlophone PMC1043)
Dickie Hawdon, Derek Abbott, Bert Courtley, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright (tp), Ted Barker, Garry Brown, Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood (tb), Johnny Dankworth (as), Danny Moss (ts,cl), Alex Leslie (bs,cl), Dave Lee (p), Eric Dawson (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Export Blues*^/Hullabaloo^.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(^Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(^Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

September 2nd, 1957 (5 steps to Dankworth - Parlophone PMC1043)
Personnel as August 29th.
Just A Sittin' And A Rockin'*/Stompin' At The Savoy*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)
(*Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Laurie Monk Quartet - September 4th, 1957 (5 steps to Dankworth - Parlophone PMC 1043)
Laurie Monk (tb), Johnny Dankworth (as), Eric Dawson (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Somerset Morn*/Horoscope*.
(*Vocalion CD - 5 Steps to Dankworth & Journey into Jazz)
(*Avid 2 CD set - Cleo Laine & John Dankworth: Three Early LPs & More)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - March 10th, 1958 (The vintage years - Parlophone PMC1076)
Personnel as August 29th except Bob Carson (tp) and Jack Botterill (tb) replace Bert Courtley and Ted Barker.
The Breeze And I*^/How High The Moon^/Stardust*^.
(^Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959)
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

March 13th, 1958 (The vintage years - Parlophone PMC1076)
Personnel as March 10th.
Swingin' The Blues*/I Can't Get Started*/How Deep Is The Ocean*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

March 20th, 1958 (The vintage years - Parlophone PMC1076)
Personnel as March 10th.
Crazy Rhythm*/Moonglow*/Jive At Five*.
(*Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959)
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

March 27th, 1958 (GEP8671)
Personnel as March 10th.
Show Me/I Could Have Danced All Night.

April 1st, 1958 (The vintage years - Parlophone PMC1076* GEP8671+)
Personnel as March 10th.
On The Street Where You Live+/I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face+^/Idaho*.
(^Sepia CD - The John Dankworth Big Band - The Vintage Years 1953-1959)
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

June 20th, 1958 (The vintage years - Parlophone PMC1076+)
Personnel as March 10th but add Johnny Scott (fl), Bill Le Sage (vib), Jim Powell (tuba).
The Colonel's Tune*/Jim And Andy's*/Don't Get Around Much Any More+*.
(*EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - May 12th,13th and 19th, 1959 (Jazz Routes - Columbia 33SX1280)
Dickie Hawdon, Derek Abbott, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright, Bob Carson (tp), Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood, Garry Brown (tb), Ron Snyder (tb,tuba), Johnny Dankworth (as,cl), Danny Moss (ts,b-cl), Alex Leslie (bs,cl,fl), Dave Lee (p), Eric Dawson (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Tribute To Chauncey*/Slow Train*/Sunflower/Dauphine Blues*/Honeydew Melon*#/Joe And Lol's Blues*#/Internationale*/Kool Kate*#/New Forest*/Specs Yellow/Desperate Dan*#/Blue Furs*/Caribe*.
(*Roulette CD - The Best of the Roulette years)
(#EMI 2 CD set - The Best Of Johnny Dankworth)

In 1959 Johnny Dankworth took his band to the Newport Jazz Festival in USA and the band was recorded for a Top Rank album. This is probably the most sought after of Dankworth's LPs on the second-hand market.
Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - July 3rd, 1959 (Top Rank 30/019)
Personnel as May 19th except Kenny Wheeler (tp) replaces Colin Wright.
Firth Of Fourths^/Caribe/Royal Ascot^/Don't Get Around Much Anymore^/Doggin' Around/Jones/Take The 'A' Train.
(^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth)

Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - c1960/1 (Big Band International LP2703)
Dickie Hawdon, Derek Abbott, Stan Palmer, Colin Wright, Bob Carson (tp), Laurie Monk, Tony Russell, Danny Elwood, Garry Brown, Ron Snyder (tb), Johnny Dankworth (as), Danny Moss, Alex Leslie, Art Ellefson, George Tyndale (saxes), Dave Lee (p), Eric Dawson (b), Kenny Clare (d).
Limehouse Blues/Little Horror/I Can't Get Started/By Pass/How High The Moon/Royal Garden Blues/Somebody Loves Me/Jersey Bounce/The Breeze And I/Battered Chops/Bluesology/I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face/Take The A Train/A 5th Of 4th/9.20 Special/Allen's Alley/DBA Special/Blue Post/Cobwebs/So What/Moaning/S.O.Blues/Blues In The Night/You Do Something To Me.

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