Ken Colyer (1928-1988) was revered by devotees of New Orleans jazz, among whom he was often known as “The Guv’nor” (which is how he was sometimes billed when visiting Aylesbury).

Ken Colyer was a founding member of the Crane River Jazz Band, but left to join the Merchant Navy with the intention of shipping out to New Orleans. Upon his return to the UK in March 1953, he joined a group with Monty Sunshine and Chris Barber that became the first line-up of Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen. Colyer remained a purist in following the New Orleans tradition, whilst others – including Chris Barber and Acker Bilk, who both played with Colyer – went on to commercial success.

The Ken Colyer Jazzmen played 18 times for the Aylesbury Jazz Club between 1959 and 1964.