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{{Short description|English bandleader}}
{{About|the bandleader|the cricketer|David Lawrence (cricketer)}}
{{About|the bandleader|the cricketer|David Lawrence (cricketer)}}
{{Refimprove|date=March 2011}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1923|6|26}}
| birth_place = [[Wilmslow]], [[Cheshire]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1998|05|05|1923|06|26}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
'''Syd Lawrence''' (26 June 1923 – 5 May 1998), was a [[British people|British]] [[bandleader]] from [[Chester]], [[England]], who became famous in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] for his orchestra's [[Big Band]] sound, which drew on the 1940s style of music of [[Glenn Miller]] and [[Count Basie]] amongst others.
'''Syd Lawrence''' (26 June 1923 – 5 May 1998)<ref name="Obit"/> was a [[British people|British]] [[bandleader]], who became famous in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] for his orchestra's [[Big Band]] sound, which drew on the 1940s style of music of [[Glenn Miller]] and [[Count Basie]] amongst others.


==Career==
Born in [[Wilmslow]] in 1923,<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-syd-lawrence-1160896.html Gifford D. Obituary: Syd Lawrence. ''Independent'' (7 May 1998)] (accessed 20 April 2010)</ref> Lawrence was a talented [[trumpet]] player during [[World War II]]. He wrote and arranged music. He was based in [[Cairo]] during the war years, playing and arranging for the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] service bands. After he left the armed forces, he played with some of the leading British dance bands of the 1940s, finally being invited to join the [[BBC Northern Dance Orchestra]] in 1953. He stayed with this band for sixteen years playing alongside fellow trumpet player Stan Hibbert.
Born in [[Wilmslow]], [[Cheshire]], England, in 1923,<ref name="Obit">[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-syd-lawrence-1160896.html Gifford D. Obituary: Syd Lawrence]. ''[[The Independent]]'' (7 May 1998) (accessed 20 April 2010)</ref> Lawrence was a talented [[trumpet]] player during [[World War II]]. He wrote and arranged music. He was based in [[Cairo]] during the war years, playing and arranging for the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] service bands. After he left the armed forces, he played with some of the leading British dance bands of the 1940s, finally being invited to join the [[BBC Northern Dance Orchestra]] in 1953.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=737}}</ref> He stayed with this band for sixteen years playing alongside fellow trumpet player Stan Hibbert.


In 1967, Lawrence teamed up with several of his colleagues at the Northern Dance Orchestra to play the music that he was most enthusiastic about, that of Glenn Miller. Early concerts at the Mersey Hotel in [[Manchester]] were a success, and larger venues were found to play in as the reputation of his band grew.
In 1967, Lawrence teamed up with several of his colleagues at the Northern Dance Orchestra to play the music that he was most enthusiastic about, that of Glenn Miller.<ref name="Larkin"/> Early concerts at the Mersey Hotel in [[Manchester]] were a success, and larger venues were found to play in as the reputation of his band grew.


[[Yorkshire Television]] gave the Syd Lawrence Orchestra a regular spot on the comedy show ''[[Sez Les]]''. As the music became more popular, Lawrence and his band started touring around the UK, which they did with great success for many years. Several records were made along with radio and television appearances on variety shows. He appeared with his band on 3-2-1 and also occasionally was a vocalist.
Respected comedian [[Les Dawson]] discovered the Syd Lawrence Orchestra playing in a bar. He liked them so much, that he wanted them to play backing music for his show [[Sez Les]]. He begged [[Yorkshire Television]] to give them a chance and they did. And so the Syd Lawrence Orchestra was given their first real break on TV and a regular spot on the comedy show. As the music became more popular, Lawrence and his band started touring around the UK, which they did with great success for many years.


In 1969 he signed with Philips Records and the band's first release was on the low-price Contour label (catalogue no. 6870 550), selling at 10/6d. Titled "Syd Lawrence with the Glenn Miller Sound", and credited to The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, it was recorded at [[Strawberry Studios]] on 23 and 25 September 1969. It had ten tracks, all being songs or tunes previously recorded by Miller between 1939 and 1942; some being slightly extended or rearranged.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Syd Lawrence with the Glenn Miller Sound |last=Stevens |first=Alan |date=September 1969 |type=album sleeve notes |publisher=Musical Rendezvous Ltd |id=6870 550 |location=London }}</ref> The Orchestra went on to record about fifteen long playing albums, usually at the Strawberry Recording Studios in Manchester along with radio and television appearances on variety shows. He appeared with his band on ''[[3-2-1]]'' and also occasionally was a vocalist.
Lawrence retired from touring in 1994 and died of an [[aneurysm]] in 1998. Following his death, the Syd Lawrence Band continued on and still tours. The orchestra has been led by Brian Pendleton, and presently by Chris Dean.<ref>[http://www.syd-lawrence-orchestra.com/profiles/ChrisDeanMusicalDirector/tabid/64/Default.aspx Syd-lawrence-orchestra.com]</ref>

Lawrence retired from touring in 1994 and died of an [[aneurysm]] in 1998. Following his death, the Syd Lawrence Band continued on and still tours. The orchestra was led by Bryan Pendleton, and is currently led by Chris Dean.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070216131449/http://www.syd-lawrence-orchestra.com/profiles/ChrisDeanMusicalDirector/tabid/64/Default.aspx] {{dead link|date=September 2021}}</ref> In 2011 it was voted the Best Big Band in the Land for the 11th consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/leisure/music/9432506.Chris_Dean_s_Syd_Lawrence_Orchestra____best_big_band_in_the_land____comes_to_The_Courtyard/|title=Chris Dean's Syd Lawrence Orchestra - 'best big band in the land' - comes to The Courtyard|newspaper=[[Hereford Times]]|date=22 December 2001|accessdate=3 February 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Chester]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chester]]
[[Category:People from Wilmslow]]
[[Category:People from Wilmslow]]
[[Category:British bandleaders]]
[[Category:British bandleaders]]
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[[Category:British jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Deaths from aneurysm]]
[[Category:Deaths from aneurysm]]
[[Category:20th-century British musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century English musicians]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II]]

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[[Category:Royal Air Force musicians]]

[[Category:Military personnel from Cheshire]]
{{UK-jazz-musician-stub}}

Latest revision as of 01:03, 4 November 2024

This article is about the bandleader. For the cricketer, see David Lawrence (cricketer).
Syd Lawrence
Born(1923-06-26)26 June 1923
Wilmslow, Cheshire, England
Died5 May 1998(1998-05-05) (aged 74)

Syd Lawrence (26 June 1923 – 5 May 1998)[1] was a British bandleader, who became famous in the UK for his orchestra's Big Band sound, which drew on the 1940s style of music of Glenn Miller and Count Basie amongst others.

Career

[edit]

Born in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, in 1923,[1] Lawrence was a talented trumpet player during World War II. He wrote and arranged music. He was based in Cairo during the war years, playing and arranging for the RAF service bands. After he left the armed forces, he played with some of the leading British dance bands of the 1940s, finally being invited to join the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra in 1953.[2] He stayed with this band for sixteen years playing alongside fellow trumpet player Stan Hibbert.

In 1967, Lawrence teamed up with several of his colleagues at the Northern Dance Orchestra to play the music that he was most enthusiastic about, that of Glenn Miller.[2] Early concerts at the Mersey Hotel in Manchester were a success, and larger venues were found to play in as the reputation of his band grew.

Respected comedian Les Dawson discovered the Syd Lawrence Orchestra playing in a bar. He liked them so much, that he wanted them to play backing music for his show Sez Les. He begged Yorkshire Television to give them a chance and they did. And so the Syd Lawrence Orchestra was given their first real break on TV and a regular spot on the comedy show. As the music became more popular, Lawrence and his band started touring around the UK, which they did with great success for many years.

In 1969 he signed with Philips Records and the band's first release was on the low-price Contour label (catalogue no. 6870 550), selling at 10/6d. Titled "Syd Lawrence with the Glenn Miller Sound", and credited to The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, it was recorded at Strawberry Studios on 23 and 25 September 1969. It had ten tracks, all being songs or tunes previously recorded by Miller between 1939 and 1942; some being slightly extended or rearranged.[3] The Orchestra went on to record about fifteen long playing albums, usually at the Strawberry Recording Studios in Manchester along with radio and television appearances on variety shows. He appeared with his band on 3-2-1 and also occasionally was a vocalist.

Lawrence retired from touring in 1994 and died of an aneurysm in 1998. Following his death, the Syd Lawrence Band continued on and still tours. The orchestra was led by Bryan Pendleton, and is currently led by Chris Dean.[4] In 2011 it was voted the Best Big Band in the Land for the 11th consecutive year.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Gifford D. Obituary: Syd Lawrence. The Independent (7 May 1998) (accessed 20 April 2010)
  2. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 737. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  3. ^ Stevens, Alan (September 1969). Syd Lawrence with the Glenn Miller Sound (album sleeve notes). London: Musical Rendezvous Ltd. 6870 550.
  4. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Chris Dean's Syd Lawrence Orchestra - 'best big band in the land' - comes to The Courtyard". Hereford Times. 22 December 2001. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
[edit]
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