Savoy Orpheans 1926-1927

(Image courtesy the British Library archive HS.74/1064)

Background information about the recordings can be found below the audio selections.

The Savoy Orpheans were one of two well-known bands, the other being the Savoy Havana Band, based out of London’s Savoy Hotel during the early and mid-1920s.

Debroy Somers was the founder and original leader of the Savoy Orpheans.  After Somers left the band, its vocalist and violinist, Ramon Newton, and pianist Carroll Gibbons took on the leadership role.  Newton can be heard on the vocals of all three recordings featured here.

“I’d Rather Charleston” is a George Gershwin composition from the 1926 London production of the musical comedy Lady, Be Good!, the original version of which opened in New York City in 1924.  Lady, Be Good! was Gershwin’s first Broadway collaboration with his brother, Ira Gershwin.

“I’d Rather Charleston” was added to the 1926 British production and was not featured in the 1924 New York version.  Fred and Adele Astaire, who also appeared in the New York production, performed the song in the London production.

On the recording here, Ramon Newton is joined on vocals by Estelle Brody, a little-known American vaudeville dancer who had recently moved to England, where she quickly achieved celebrity status from her roles in British silent films.  Her career entered an equally rapid decline due to the transition to talking pictures and an unsuccessful attempt to establish herself in Hollywood.

“He Left Her Behind Before” was composed by Abner Silver with lyrics by Alfred Bryan and film actor Bert Hanlon.

“There’s Always A Way Into Trouble” was composed by Savoy Orpheans pianist Carroll Gibbons, who also directed the recording session, with lyrics by James Dyrenforth.  The song was featured in the 1927 production Up With The Lark at London’s Adelphi Theatre.

In 2022, the Savoy Hotel revived the Savoy Orpheans under the leadership of bandleader Alex Mendham.