Jazz: The early 1950s

In 1952 we find a reference to the Modern Music Club at the National Service Hostel in Bicester Road. An article in the Bucks Herald dated 3rd October 1952 reported on “the first jazz club session to be held in Aylesbury for two years” since the Aylesbury Jazz Club was disbanded.

Modern Music Club 1952

Mentioned as one of the artists is Ken Sykora, a jazz guitarist. His obituary in The Guardian notes that “for five successive years in the 1950s, he was voted Britain’s top guitarist by readers of Melody Maker”. Later he became a presenter of music shows for radio and TV. More information on The Man with the Jazz Guitar website.

Earlier in the year, the County Theatre (later the Grosvenor Ballroom) had presented the 1952 Jazz Cavalcade in April.

1952 Jazz Cavalacade ad

2 thoughts on “Jazz: The early 1950s

  1. I am interested in finding out about the talent contests held in the Grosvener ballroom in the 1950’s My Mother then Miss Patricia Purse was a nurse from Stoke Mandeville and won a talent competition. She won a £5 cheque presented by Alderman C G Cousins. Watched by Dolly Piper and councillor Mrs F H Hinxman
    Does anyone have any information where I look for info and a photo?

  2. Hi, Much of the research was done by looking at the old editions of local newspapers held on microfilm at the Centre for Buckingham Studies (Buckinghamshire Archives) in Aylesbury. It may be worth trying there, when they re-open.
    https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/culture-and-leisure/centre-for-buckinghamshire-studies/centre-for-buckinghamshire-studies/
    With best wishes
    Stephen Daglish

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