Hors D'oeuvres - Ambrose And His Orchestra

Recorded in 1935. As if embodying the sensibilities of an entire epoch, "Hittin' the Ceiling," "Makin' Whoopee," and "Singing in the Rain" materialized at the session of September 12, 1929. Highlights from 1930 included material in common with James P. Johnson ("Cryin' for the Carolines") and Fess Williams ("'Leven Thirty Saturday Night"). In 1931, "When Day Is Done" became the band's theme song. Ambrose made his most memorable recordings during the mid-'30s while presiding at the Embassy Club, beginning in November 1934 with "The Continental," then riding into 1935 with "Hors d'Oeuvres" and the excellent "Embassy Stomp." Authentic jazz material continued to surface between bursts of sweetness or novelty vocals, "Streamline Strut," "Copenhagen," and "Ambrose's Tiger Rag" serving as counterweights for entities like "Everything Is Hunky Dooly" and "My Hat's on the Side of My Head." On "Wood and Ivory," recorded in 1936, percussionist Jack Simpson was featured on timpani and xylophone. This appears to have become part of the signature sound of the Ambrose ensemble, for Simpson continued to knock wood with the band well into 1939. Beginning in 1938, Ambrose led a notable octet in addition to the full-sized ensemble. He clearly paid close attention to what America's best jazz orchestras were playing and consistently made efforts to arm his band with solid material gleaned from their repertoires. Two glowing examples are from the Duke Ellington book; "Caravan" was recorded by the Ambrose band in July of 1937 and "Mood Indigo" in October of 1940. By this time, failing health made it necessary for him to partially withdraw from professional work. There were tours with the octet beginning in 1941 and he was still leading bands up until 1956, whereupon he made the decision to serve as a manager rather than acting as a leader. The most lucrative act he represented was pop singer Kathy Kirby. Bert Ambrose passed away in Leeds, England, on the 11th of June 1971. His band's best recordings are still prized for their fine arrangements, skilled soloists, and impeccable section work. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/ambrose-bandleader#ixzz1m4ujYNlt

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