The Big Band Dixie Sound - Ted Heath

King Porter Stomp

The Big Band Dixie Sound
Ted Heath And His Music
London Records LL-3138

From the back cover: Ted Heath entered the music world when his father taught him the tenor horn. At seven Ted was playing in band contests and at 12 he switched to the trombone. Returning from service in the World War, Ted had a couple of lean years till his luck changed and Jack Hylton gave him a job. After the Ted worked his way through most of Britain's top bands and held the trombone chair on many record sessions with top American stars.

In 1942 Ted became fired with the idea of having a band of his own. It all came about when he heard Glenn Miller's American Band of the AEF, then stationed in Britain. The forceful swing and full-bodied brass sound so fascinated him that he became determined to form a band which would play the kind of music he believed in.

Ted Heath and his Music were heard for the first time on a BBC broadcast in 1942, but not until the war ended could Ted really think about building up a regular orchestra. In 1945 the American trumpet player and arranger, Toots Camarata came to Britain as musical director of the film "London Town." Camarata commissioned Heath to provide the music for the film and in this way the band achieved a degree of permanence. When the film was completed Ted Heath's orchestra began touring and broadcasting regularly.

A small but fanatical following quickly sprang up; the band started coming top in the polls run by British musical papers; yet the music was still too advanced for most of the general public. But Ted refused to compromise; he preferred to wait for the public to catch up with his ideas. That they have now done so is reflected in the present-day sales of Ted Heath's records, and the crowds which flock to see the band wherever it appears. And Ted Heath's music is just as popular here in America, as it is in Britain, as proved by the heavy demand for his records in the United State and the enormous success of his two American tours.

That's A Plenty
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate
The Darktown Strutter's Ball
Muskrat Ramble
Riverboat Shuffle
Chicago
King Porter Stomp
Someday, Sweetheart
South Rampart Street Parade
High Society
At The Jazz Band Hall
Copenhagen