Biography
The Savoy Orpheans
Effective period / Period of releases: 1924 - 1927
Members: Ronnie Gubertini, Carroll Gibbons, Sylvester Ahola, Billy Thorburn, Cyril Ramon Newton, Jim Bellamy, Vernon Ferry, George Chaffin, Watson Marsh, Charlie Swinnerton, Walter Lyme, Pete Mandell, Reginald Batten, Herbert Finney, Benny Loban, Sydney Kyte, Charles Remue
British dance band of the 1920s resident at the Savoy Hotel, London, between 1923 and 1927.See also Savoy Hotel Orpheans for releases post 1927.
There were effectively three 'Savoy' bands that followed on from the "Savoy Quartet" residence [1915-1921].
The Savoy Havana Band [1921-27], The Savoy Orpheans [1923-27] and the 'brassless' support, The Sylvians [1926-27]. However, in many cases, the Sylvians recorded or performed with personnel from the former to augment their sound.
In 1921 the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London, engaged the services of American saxophonist Bert Ralton to form a house dance band. Previously from Havana, Cuba, Ralton named the ensemble the "Savoy Havana Band". He departed for Australia in 1923.
Howard Jacobs, who replaced saxophonist Rudy Vallee, then directed the Orpheans between late 1931 and mid 1932, followed by Carroll Gibbons until 1955.