Scottish Country Dance Bands 9
London Night Club Wanted to Book ‘Highland’
The dance was in full swing. There were hundreds on the floor.
Then the lights failed. But the band played on and eventually alternative was provided.
It happened at Muir of Ord and is reckoned by the Highland Country Dance Band as their worst experience.
John Ellis, Wellbank, formed the band after being demobbed from the Army in September 1955.
Thirty-year-old John, who plays the violin and doubles on sax at dances, is a jobbing gardener. During his National Service he played with Don McBain’s Scottish Country Dance Band in London and appeared on TV.
Played in London
John Philip (violin), who stays in Duntrune is Head Clerk in a Jute Merchant’s office in Dundee. He is Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts in South Angus.
Irene Dear (accordion) also plays drums. Her house is in St Fillans, where, she assists in her brother-in-law’s General Store and Post Office. She travels to Dundee every week for practice and engagements.
Jimmy Boal (accordion) is also a piper. He lives in Dundee and is a French polisher. He broadcast solo when he was 13.
Adeline McLeay (piano) is also a cellist Her home is in Dundee and she is employed in a tomato nursery. Adeline arranges all band numbers.
Jack Knight (drums), the band vocalist, lives in Dundee and is an electrician.
Tom Conwy (bass), an Income Tax official in Dundee, joined the band recently for broadcast engagements only. He is an ex-member of Dundee Schools Orchestra and City Orchestra.
John Ellis, John Philip and Adeline McLeay played together in a band from 1948 until 1953 and broadcast regularly.
First Broadcast in 1957
The Highland Country Dance Band started broadcasting in 1957 and has been on the air approximately 30 times, including the B.B.C. Overseas Service.
Because the band is part-time, distant engagements have to be curtailed, and bookings ranging from North Scotland to as far south as London have had to be turned down. One of these was a week’s engagement in a London nightclub playing traditional Scottish music.
The band have gone as far north as the north as the Black Isle for summer marquee dances and played on December 23rd last at the Christmas Ball at Strathpeffer.
London Night Club Wanted to Book ‘Highland’
The dance was in full swing. There were hundreds on the floor.
Then the lights failed. But the band played on and eventually alternative was provided.
It happened at Muir of Ord and is reckoned by the Highland Country Dance Band as their worst experience.
John Ellis, Wellbank, formed the band after being demobbed from the Army in September 1955.
Thirty-year-old John, who plays the violin and doubles on sax at dances, is a jobbing gardener. During his National Service he played with Don McBain’s Scottish Country Dance Band in London and appeared on TV.
Played in London
John Philip (violin), who stays in Duntrune is Head Clerk in a Jute Merchant’s office in Dundee. He is Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts in South Angus.
Irene Dear (accordion) also plays drums. Her house is in St Fillans, where, she assists in her brother-in-law’s General Store and Post Office. She travels to Dundee every week for practice and engagements.
Jimmy Boal (accordion) is also a piper. He lives in Dundee and is a French polisher. He broadcast solo when he was 13.
Adeline McLeay (piano) is also a cellist Her home is in Dundee and she is employed in a tomato nursery. Adeline arranges all band numbers.
Jack Knight (drums), the band vocalist, lives in Dundee and is an electrician.
Tom Conwy (bass), an Income Tax official in Dundee, joined the band recently for broadcast engagements only. He is an ex-member of Dundee Schools Orchestra and City Orchestra.
John Ellis, John Philip and Adeline McLeay played together in a band from 1948 until 1953 and broadcast regularly.
First Broadcast in 1957
The Highland Country Dance Band started broadcasting in 1957 and has been on the air approximately 30 times, including the B.B.C. Overseas Service.
Because the band is part-time, distant engagements have to be curtailed, and bookings ranging from North Scotland to as far south as London have had to be turned down. One of these was a week’s engagement in a London nightclub playing traditional Scottish music.
The band have gone as far north as the north as the Black Isle for summer marquee dances and played on December 23rd last at the Christmas Ball at Strathpeffer.