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| Jack Parnell and his Orchestra... |
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In the early 1950s Jack Parnell started to lead his own big band and he employed and featured jazz musicians. Parnell was a talented musician, and a sensational soloist. He always employed other good drummers in his band including Phil Seamen, Allan Ganley and Kenny Clare. In the drum duets they played, always a big hit with the crowd, each outdid the other. It was marvellous show-business. The Parnell band�s first booking was for a show at the Prince of Wales called �Fancy Free�, with Tommy Trinder and Pat Kirkwood. When the show closed, Parnell decided, after some changes, to keep the band going. At the Prince of Wales he had three trombones and one trumpet � Jimmy Watson, that was changed to three trumpets and two trombones. One of those trumpets was Jimmy Deuchar, who did the band�s arrangement of The Champ and was the featured soloist on the other side of the band's first 78 � Laurie Johnson�s arrangement of Summertime. This was recorded for Parlophone on October 28th, 1952 and the band continued to record for the label for another two years. At the agents� insistence, Parnell found himself having to lead from the front, so Phil Seamen came in to do the majority of the drumming, but the leader still kept his hand in. Parnell decided to do something different and thought up a double drum routine which really got the band noticed. They did it for the first time at the Jazz Jamboree at the Gaumont State in Kilburn, for the Musicians� Benevolent Fund. Both drummers did the same thing throughout and it was a sensation, the same routine went into everything as long as the tempo was right. After Seamen, virtually every British drummer of note passed through the ranks of the band, including Kenny Clare, Allan Ganley and Bobby Orr, and all did duets with Parnell. The other sections, at various times, featured top players like Jimmy Deuchar, Jo Hunter, Ronnie Hughes, Laddie Busby, Bobby Lamb, Bob Burns, Joe Temperley, Ronnie Scott, Pete King and Tubby Hayes. Tubby was still a teenager when he passed through the ranks, and as Parnell says: "He stopped the show night after night when we were playing..." Such was his popularity that he asked Parnell for a pound a week extra: "I told him to bugger off, and I think to myself now - Tubby Hayes! He only wanted a pound, and he didn�t get it..." |
The band built a major reputation in the UK, but it was also well-regarded in the States, something that was brought
home to Parnell when he started receiving arrangements by people such as Bill Holman and Marty Paich which were presented to Parnell by the writers, absolutely for nothing, just because they thought the band was that good. A lot of it was recorded by the band...By the mid-1950s, however, big bands were in decline, no matter how good they were. Parnell says: "We were doing okay, but I could see the start of the groups. If you know promoters like I know promoters, if they can get four guys making as much noise as 16, they�re going to use them. I could see it coming� I thought, �we�ve got to do something else..." Tony Hall writing in 1960 reckoned "...one of the most exciting of the big bands in the history of British jazz with the cream of the crop of the new modern musicians including Ronnie Scott, Derek Humble, Jimmy Deuchar, Jo Hunter and Phil Seamen. Arrangements of a very high calibre were contributed by Deuchar, Jimmy Watson and Max Harris". However according to trumpeter Ron Simmonds who played with the band for most of it's existence "Jack Parnell's big band music was mostly written by mediocre arrangers...the scores were potboilers. There was no question of exotic chords, counterpoint or voice-crossing. And no style whatsoever. For this reason, with the exception of Jacks drum features, his big band had nothing that could distinguish it from any other. As Jack did not play drums on the regular numbers his own particular style did not come through on them. The arrangements did nothing to help..." Internal disputes in March 1953 led to Ronnie Scott leaving and taking from the band the nucleus of the sensational Ronnie Scott Orchestra - Derek Humble, Pete King, Jimmy Deuchar, Ken Wray and Ronnie himself. The Ronnie Scott Orchestra was to become a band of equal standing in British jazz history to the Johnny Dankworth Seven... |
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Listed below are the recording sessions with his big band. The listing is incomplete. The EMI Gold CD referred to below contains titles not shown in this discography: 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) (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') (*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) (#SWP Records CD - The Late, Great Phil Seamen) (^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). Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - September 28th, 1954 (Parlophone) Ronnie Simmonds, Ronnie Hughes, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis (tp), Ken Wray, Bobby Lamb, Jack Botterill (tb), Tubby Hayes, Jack Fisher, K Balanzwela, Freddie Syer, Don Honeywell (reeds), Norman Stenfalt (p), Kenny Napper (b), Kenny Clare (d). Trip To Mars^*/Sky Blue Shirt And Rainbow Tie*. (*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) From this date Parnell's records veered more towards the pop sounds of the day and the jazz interest in many of these records is slight... Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - 1955 (Parnell on Parade - Parlophone GEP8564) Personnel unknown except for Red Price (ts) and Don Honeywell (bs). When The Saints Go Marching In (feat.RP)*/Sugarfoot Stomp*/East Meets West*/Twilight In Turkey (feat.DH)*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - c1955 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown except for Eve Boswell (vocal). Ready Willing And Able (voc)*/The Heart You Break (voc)*/Shake Rattle And Roll*#. (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (#Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - January 19th, 1955 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown. Fanfare Boogie*. (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - March 9th, 1955 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown. Ting A Ling*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - November 16th, 1955 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown. Love and Marriage*. (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - May 2nd, 1956 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown. When Yuba Played The Rumba On The Tuba*/Sixteen Tons (vcl JP)#. (#EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - November 3rd, 1958 (?Parlophone) Personnel unknown. Topsy*^/Cha Cha Rock*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) 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 . Jack Parnell biography... |
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