Jay Wilbur
James Edward Wilbur (1898–1968) was a British bandleader and prolifically recorded musician identified with and influential in the era of Big Band and British dance band music.[1]
Wilbur was born as Wilbur Blinco in 1898 at Leamington Spa.[2] He became recording director for Dominion Records[3] in 1928, but left Dominion shortly before its demise and became recording manager for the Crystalate Gramophone Record Manuracturing Company.[4] With his own name and under many pseudonyms,[5] his recordings appeared on a variety of labels including Imperial, Eclipse, Rex,and Crown.
Wilbur broadcast for the BBC in the 1930s, often featuring guest artists such as Fats Waller.[6] In 1941 he appeared as himself in the film Hi Gang!.[7]
Jay Wilbur and His Band performed extensively for Allied military servicemembers during World War II. He is known for recording established tunes while rendering them in foxtrot style.[8] He was the third husband of the performer Ouida MacDermott.
Wilbur died in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1968.[9]
References
- McCanna, Barry (2005). "Jay Wilbur" (PDF). Dance Band Personalities. Retrieved 2011-04-04. See also the London Band photograph (accessed 2011-04-04).
- Cliffe, Peter (1990). Fascinating Rhythm. Egon Publishers Limited. ISBN 9780905858494.
- Arthur Badrock (1976). "Dominion Records: a catalogue and history". Talking Machine Review.
- Schleman, Hilton R. (1978). Rhythm on Record. Greenwood Press. p. 212.
- Brocken, Michael (2013). Other Voices: Hidden Histories of Liverpool's Popular Music Scenes 19. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9781409493969. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- Taylor, Stephen (2006). Fats Waller on the Air: The Radio Broadcasts and Discography. Scarecrow Press. pp. 58–59. ISBN 9780810856561. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- Reid, John Howard (2006). More Movie Musicals: Volume 18 of Hollywood classics. Lulu. pp. 67–68. ISBN 9781411673427. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- For example, a 1934 rendition of "Just Awearyin' for You" w. Frank Lebby Stanton m. Carrie Jacobs-Bond: Jay Wilbur and His Band, "Just Awearyin' for You" on YouTube 1934 foxtrot rendition (accessed 2011-04-04).
- Rust, Brian A. L. (1974). The Dance Bands. Arlington House. ISBN 9780870002724.