![]() ![]() In August 2004, the band performed at the Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival, and appeared on television as part of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. They performed at the 2004 Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, also backing Will Young. Jamie Deighton the band has played in Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London and for the Prince of Wales at Highgrove House, supporting Pop Idol winner, Will Young. Recordings from the original band are also available as reissues. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, the Squadronaires produced an album entitled Squads Away in 1993, and in January 2002, they recorded Flying Home. Since then the band has recorded Big Band Spectacular and a second album Swing Squadron. Original band leader Jimmy Miller conducted the band's theme tune, "There's Something in the Air." In 1985, a new big band orchestra was organized under the title "The Royal Air Force Squadronaires." Many original members of the band were contacted and several were present at the official launch of the new band at Headquarters Music Services, RAF Uxbridge, on 8 January 1987. Vocals: Jimmy Miller, Joan Regan, Billy Nicholls SNR, Suzy Miller, Jackie Lee, Joan Baxter, Peter Morton, Ken Kirkham, Beryl Davis.Īfter the war, Jimmy Watson replaced Clinton "Froggy" French on trumpet, and Monty Levy replaced Harry Lewis on alto sax.Saxophones: Tommy Bradbury, Harry Lewis, Jimmy Durrant, Andy McDevitt, Cliff Townshend, Maurice Stokes.Trombone: George Chisholm, Eric Breeze.Trumpet: Tommy McQuater, Archie Craig, Clinton French.Many of the members formerly played as side men in Bert Ambrose's band. The Squadronaires continued to work together under Ronnie Aldrich until 1964. ![]() A cut-down version of the band (The Squadronetes), compared by vocalist Peter Morton, appeared every afternoon in the Palace Gardens (1960–1962). They played in the Ballroom every night except Sundays when they played concerts in the Palace Theatre. In 1952, The Squadronaires began a regular summer engagement at The Palace Ballroom in Douglas, Isle of Man which continued until 1963. The touring season of 1951 was the busiest period of activity the band had ever experienced. Syd Dale replaced him as pianist and also helped with the arrangements. Ronnie Aldrich had been the arranger and co-piano player, but in 1951 he took over as bandleader, and the band was then billed as Ronnie Aldrich and The Squadronaires. After demobilization, the members formed a civilian band of the same name. The orchestra's first broadcast took place in January 1941.Īfter D-Day, the Squadronaires went on to entertain service personnel engaged in the Northwest European campaign but had to return to Britain because of military operations. It became a popular jazz band and likely the best known of the British military dance bands of the time, with hits like "There's Something in the Air" and "South Rampart Street Parade." The Squadronaires played at dances and concerts for service personnel, and also broadcast on the BBC and recorded on the Decca label. The band drew from some of the best musicians of the day. In 1939, the Royal Air Force implemented a plan to raise morale and entertain the troops during wartime, and The Squadronaires was one of the bands organized as a result. The official title of the band was 'The Royal Air Force Dance Orchestra', but it was always known by the more popular title "The Squadronaires". The Squadronaires is a Royal Air Force band which began and performed in Britain during and after World War II. ![]()
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