Scottish Country Dance Bands 10
Jack’s Band are Favourites in England
Until June last year Jack Forsyth’s Band was full time.
Jack, who plays piano accordion, formed the band in 1949. They have been broadcasting since 1950, and lately have been on the air about once a month.
Before the war, Jack used to play for the Irish Dance Club in Wembley.
After his discharge from the Navy he formed a 12-piece band which played in Leuchers and district. Jack now lives at Guardbridge.
Terry Connor (violin), an auto-electrician, lives in Dundee. He played for the Irish Dancing in Wembley during the war but he and Jack never met.
Alice Waters (piano) lives in St Andrews. As well as being a housewife, she plays for modern and Scottish Country dancing in St Leonard’s School.
Bill Jarvis (drums) hails from Cupar where he works as a joiner. He was in Canada for a few years and had his own band in Vancouver.
Archie Oliphant (bass) lives in Greenlaw, Berwickshire. He is 65 and must be one of the oldest band members in the district. He used to play piano for the silent films and has also conducted his own light orchestra of 25 players. “Although he lives so far away he never fails to turn up for all our dates,” says Jack.
The Band is very popular over the Border. “We have played in Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent. In some of these places we have played for eight consecutive years. They are amongst our favourite places to play. But we like playing anywhere.”
Their longest journeys were made during two tours of Ireland last year. “Our average mileage used to be approximately 50,000 miles per year.”
The band have made four records for Decca. “I think they are no longer available. But I have heard that they are still played regularly in New Zealand.”
Jack does all arranging “but I am fortunate in having a pianist who has an excellent knowledge of chords.”
Jack’s Band are Favourites in England
Until June last year Jack Forsyth’s Band was full time.
Jack, who plays piano accordion, formed the band in 1949. They have been broadcasting since 1950, and lately have been on the air about once a month.
Before the war, Jack used to play for the Irish Dance Club in Wembley.
After his discharge from the Navy he formed a 12-piece band which played in Leuchers and district. Jack now lives at Guardbridge.
Terry Connor (violin), an auto-electrician, lives in Dundee. He played for the Irish Dancing in Wembley during the war but he and Jack never met.
Alice Waters (piano) lives in St Andrews. As well as being a housewife, she plays for modern and Scottish Country dancing in St Leonard’s School.
Bill Jarvis (drums) hails from Cupar where he works as a joiner. He was in Canada for a few years and had his own band in Vancouver.
Archie Oliphant (bass) lives in Greenlaw, Berwickshire. He is 65 and must be one of the oldest band members in the district. He used to play piano for the silent films and has also conducted his own light orchestra of 25 players. “Although he lives so far away he never fails to turn up for all our dates,” says Jack.
The Band is very popular over the Border. “We have played in Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent. In some of these places we have played for eight consecutive years. They are amongst our favourite places to play. But we like playing anywhere.”
Their longest journeys were made during two tours of Ireland last year. “Our average mileage used to be approximately 50,000 miles per year.”
The band have made four records for Decca. “I think they are no longer available. But I have heard that they are still played regularly in New Zealand.”
Jack does all arranging “but I am fortunate in having a pianist who has an excellent knowledge of chords.”