KEN STEVENS ORCHESTRA, THE
Last updated: 20-09-2017
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Basic Information
- Norwich, Norfolk, Uk
- Function
1950s - C1974
Musicians
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Lead Vocals: Jimmy Cross 58-?? Christine Vance ()Norma Chipperfield ()Sandra Gooch
()Dave Nicholas aka Dave Quinton ()John Tuttle + Sax
Piano: Ken Stevens
Guitar: Lew Day Apr63-Apr68 ()John Urqhart Apr68-?? ()Fred Ward
Trombone: Dave Amis 65?-May65 () (Unconfirmed)
Trombone: Barry Mason
Trumpet: Jackie Guard
Trumpet: Geoff Howlett
Trumpet: David Amis May65-May68 (unconfirmed)
Trumpet: Errol Ince
Sax: Derek Cubbit
Bass: Pat Barriskill + Lead Vocals Feb65-??74
Drums: Tony Russell
Drums: Bernie Stubbins + Congas
Pianist Ken Stevens first comes onto our radar in April 1954 when his Cambridge based quartet somehow enter the Norfolk regional heats of the Melody Maker Dance Band Contest, amidst many disgruntled local bands the outfit wins through to the London final, leaving runners-up The Colin Bilham Quartet from Old Catton, Norwich to claim the title “Best band in Norfolk” as voted by The Melody Maker. Stevens left the group to concentrate on his music shop (date unknown) in Cambridge and the band was taken over by his business partner and drummer Bernie Stubbins, but still ran under The Ken Stevens mantle. The band were resident at The Rex Ballroom, Cambridge in the late fifties but landed the residency at the new Mecca owned Samson & Hercules Ballroom, Norwich in August 1961. Many musicians went through the ranks of the band which retained the residency until disbanding in 1974.
Mediography:
Breakaway for David H&N EEN 13/05/68 (P)
Residencies:
The Rex Ballroom, Cambridge 1958
The Samson & Hercules, Norwich Aug 61-74
South Pier Pavilion, Lowestoft, summer season 1963
Related titles:
The Ken Stevens Quartet / Ken Stevens & His Band
The Ken Stevens Band
Barriskil joins the bandin February 1965 after being in beat band Garry Freeman & The Contours and stays until ?? 1974 when the group dispands.
Day leaves in April 1968 to form his own Trio/Quartet/Set. He is replaced by Urqhart who had returned after playing away with The Tempos.
Gooch joins as vocalist in ?? when her band The Aytones disband
(Vance - Chic Applin) (Gooch - The Aytones) The Tempo's <> (Day - Lew Day Trio/Quartet) (Vance - Alan Dennis Trio)
