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Sunday 22 December 2019

THE MELBOURNE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND



The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band (MNOJB) formed in 1957. The band became prominent when they commenced playing for promoter Horst Liepolt at the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Club in St.Kilda during August of the same year. Later that year at the Adelaide Jazz Convention they were voted best New Orleans group in Australia. At Sydney in 1958, Cootamundra in 1959 and in their home town in 1960 the honour was repeated and in addition, the band were chosen to represent New Orleans jazz before an audience of 60,000 at an important History Of Jazz concert given in Melbourne's vast Music Bowl. Folk singer Paul Marks had been singing with the band since its inception and with the rhythm section formed his famous folk singing group. 

Jazz record label Swaggie signed them up and they released a number of singles, EP's and albums. The band also held down a successful Saturday residency at the Esquire Club in Glen Iris. In 1961 they provided a much-needed shot in the arm on their arrival in the UK. British jazz fans felt traditional jazz had become too commercial for their tastes and the MNOJB was just the right prescription. From September 1961 the band toured extensively in the UK, Ireland, and Germany until disbanding in London in April 1963. Paul Marks died in 2022 in NZ.

Members

Paul Marks (vocals), Llew Hird (trombone), Nick Poiltes (clarinet), Willy Watt (banjo), Graham Bennet (drums), Lou Silbereisen (bass), Mookie Herman (bass), Frank Turville (trumpet), Dave Rankin (trombone), Kevin Shannon (trombone), Charles Powell (trombone)



EPs
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band with Paul Marks' 1959 Swaggie
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band' 1959 Swaggie
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band With Paul Marks' 1960 Swaggie
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band With Paul Marks' 1961 Swaggie

ALBUMS
'London Bound' [with Paul Marks] 1961 W&G
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band' 1961 Swaggie 
'The Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band' 1964 Swaggie 






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14 comments:

  1. Frank Turville25 January 2020 at 23:01

    Frank Turville

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kimbo26 January 2020 at 19:51

      Hi Frank thanks for the hello. Have you got any additional info you would like to add?
      Cheers Kimbo

      Delete
  2. Frank Turville25 January 2020 at 23:02

    Melbourne New Orlens Jazz Band

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown29 September 2020 at 04:06

    Enjoyed the jam sessions at the Jazz Club long ago. Was with the SEC mid-60's where we met. Loved the music and continue to enjoy in the States. Hope all is well.

    Terry O.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cliff16 January 2021 at 15:32

    I have 3 EP's and 3 Albums in Flac form. Are you interested in copies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kimbo16 January 2021 at 20:27

      Absolutely. Send them to kimchallands@hotmail.com Thanks very much

      Delete
    2. Simon Glozier18 March 2024 at 18:03

      Hi Cliff, just read that you had some copies of the Melbourne New Orleans Band. Paul Marks was my stepfather, unfortunately Paul passed away in New Zealand Anzac day two years ago. my mother Eleanor Marks is in aged care in Christchurch and has been looking for some of his recordings. The original records they had got lost in one of their moves including Paul Marks at the Reata. I was wondering whether it would be possible to get copies I could give her. My email is glozieraudio@gmail.com

      Delete
  5. Cliff17 January 2021 at 12:50

    Check your email.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kimbo18 January 2021 at 18:07

      Bloody ripper Cliff. Cheers mate

      Delete
    2. RobJU14 March 2022 at 17:05

      I have a LP called Australian Jazz of the 60’s featuring The New Orleans Jazz band.
      YPRX-2166. Jazz lover records 1984. Recordings 1960/61.
      Can’t find another copy. Do you have this?

      Delete
    3. kimbo15 March 2022 at 16:19

      Not familiar with this LP

      Delete
  6. Margaret Anderson11 January 2023 at 16:41

    Spelling: Lou Silbereisen string bass. The Australian Jazz Museum has a vast collection of the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band recordings. See www.ajm.org.au
    Margaret Anderson, Archivist, Australian Jazz Convention

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gavan Rowan20 February 2023 at 22:16

    I lived in O`Hea St Coburg and was amazed how Billy Watt from Gilmour St and yourself became part of Australian folklore. Johnny Howe in Gilmour St was a good pianist also but made a career in Defense Standard Laboratories. Memories!!!

    ReplyDelete

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