Daly-Wilson Big Band
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Jazz |
| Founded | 1968 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Warren Daly, Ed Wilson |
| Defunct | September 1983 |
Area served | Australia and internationally |
Key people | Don Raverty (business manager and lead trumpet) |
| Products | Jazz music performances and albums |
The Daly-Wilson Big Band was an Australian jazz ensemble established in 1968 by drummer Warren Daly and trombonist Ed Wilson, with Don Raverty serving as business manager and silent partner. Often expanding to an eighteen-member group, they performed both popular jazz standards and original compositions. Vocalists who led the band included Kerrie Biddell, Marcia Hines, and Ricky May. Over their career, they released seven albums and toured extensively throughout Australia and abroad before dissolving in September 1983.
History
Originating in Sydney in 1968, the band was co-founded by Warren Daly and Ed Wilson, with Don Raverty managing operations and playing lead trumpet. The lineup comprised prominent jazz and session musicians. Daly had prior experience touring the United States with ensembles such as the Kirby Stone Four and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, while Wilson, having transitioned from piano to brass instruments, had performed with the ABC Dance Band, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and the TCN-9 house band.
By August 1969, the group included distinguished members like Kerrie Biddell on vocals, Tony Buchanan on saxophones, Graeme Lyall on saxophone, and Col Nolan on keyboards. Their first album, Live! At the Cell Block (1970), produced by Mike Perjanik for Columbia Records, captured their vibrant live sound and featured a rendition of Rolf Harris's "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," retitled "Kanga."
In January 1971, they acted as the supporting act for the UK-based Dudley Moore Trio during its Australian tour. Critics lauded their energetic stage presence and arrangements that skillfully combined robust horn sections with compelling rhythms. Later that year, the album was released in the United States as their international recognition expanded. Despite this success, by November 1971, the band declared its breakup; both Daly and Wilson received invitations to join the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Festival Records issued The Exciting Daly-Wilson Band in 1972 featuring vocals by Biddell. Financial difficulties soon restricted their touring activities, resulting in a temporary pause. In May 1973, with sponsorship from Benson & Hedges, the band reassembled for tours across Australia and New Zealand, introducing new vocalists such as Linda Cable and Neva Phillips. The album On Tour, co-produced with Tommy Tycho for Reprise Records, emerged from this period.
Beginning in February 1974, Marcia Hines, recently recognized for her role in Jesus Christ Superstar, took on lead vocals. In 1975, they toured the Soviet Union under Gosconcert’s cultural exchange initiative to widespread acclaim. Although customs complications prevented performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, they succeeded with concerts in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Their 1975 release Daly-Wilson Big Band featuring Marcia Hines highlighted her vocal talents on covers including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?". Following this period, Hines departed to focus on her solo career after launching Marcia Shines.
In 1976, American entertainer Vic Damone featured the band on a television special aimed at U.S. audiences. That same year saw the release of In Australia '77 under Hammard Records. Early in 1977, New Zealand vocalist Ricky May led the group during an Australian tour.
Later albums consisted of Too Good for a One Night Stand (1978) and Big 'N' Brassy (1982). The ensemble ultimately disbanded in September 1983 due to financial strains and internal leadership conflicts. Despite some critique regarding their jazz-rock fusion approach, they played a significant role in popularizing jazz among mainstream listeners.
Among their notable members were saxophonists Don Burrows and Graham Jesse; trumpeters Paul Panichi, Keith Stirling, Bob Bouffler, Peter Salt; trombonists Steve Powell, Herb Cannon, Mick Mulcahy,[1] and James Morrison; guitarist Mick Reid; as well as keyboardist Charlie Hull.
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Live! At the Cell Block |
|
- |
| The Exciting Daly-Wilson Band (featuring Kerrie Biddell) |
|
- |
| On Tour |
|
- |
| Daly-Wilson Big Band (featuring Marcia Hines) |
|
87 |
| Daly Wilson Big Band in Australia '77 |
|
39 |
| Too Good for a One Night Stand |
|
- |
| The Best of the Daly-Wilson Big Band |
|
- |
| Big 'N' Brassy |
|
90 |
Mo Awards
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards, which honored excellence in live performance from 1975 through 2016, acknowledged the Daly-Wilson Big Band with two accolades during their tenure.
(only wins listed)
|- | 1981 | Daly-Wilson Big Band | Instrumental/Vocal Showgroup of the Year | |- | 1982 | Daly-Wilson Big Band | Showgroup of the Year | |}
External links
- "Ed Wilson (left) and Warren Daly, founders of the Daly Wilson Big Band [photograph]" image from 1977, preserved by the National Library of Australia
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).