Matt Monro Forum

John and I have just spent the weekend at Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk attending the Syd Lawrence Orchestras annual convention.
Good music was alive and well there this weekend.
We had Gary Williams singing Nat King Cole,and Chris Dean(orchestra leader)keeping Matts songs alive.
Our orchestra members are in popular demand all over.
One of the trumpet players(Russell Bennett)has just toured with Tony Christie.Our lead saxophonist (Colin Skinner)has a contract for the new West End show 'Sister Act'.Double bass player (Andre' Messeder has toured with Jack Jones among many others.And Chris Dean has a career too long to mention,including touring with Matt and Johnny Mathis as well as being with Ted Heath and Robert Farnon.Just wanted you to know really that we have danced and listened to some fabulous 'swing' music and some great ballads along with 500 like minded people.

It sounds like you had a really great time, Sandra.

It sounds to have been a really special evening Sandra. Pleased to hear you had such a good time.

I do not ever remember seeing Chris Dean tour with Johnny Mathis--I guess it was some time ago, as I have seen every JM Uk concert since 1983--and a few before.

Hi Mariana- no Chris Dean was originally and is foremost a great trombone player.
He only took over the Syd Lawrence Orchestra when Syd died and has only over the last few years starting using Matts songs since his band singer Matthew Ford left to go solo,and Chris started to sing instead.
When he was on tour with Johnny Mathis it would be as a trombone player.
SANDRA.

Thanks Sandra-that would explain it.

Would love to make Potters one year, think Chris Dean is a remarkable singer,I have the CD where he sings every track with the band some great songs on there , saw an excellent concert at Weston-super-Mare this April, a wonderful night,the best big band in the land!

SO pleased that you enjoy Chris Dean and the SLO too.
Hope that you can make Potters one year,we really enjoy it there.
The latest CD of Chris which I think only came out at Potters is called
'Chris Dean Big Band Song Book'.Hope you manage to get it if you haven't already-it's pretty good!

Haven't got the new CD yet, sounds good, will have to get hol dof a copy, Yes intensd to make Potters one year, its sounds a dream weekend.

I just listened to Sarah Kennedy play Skyliner by the Syd Lawrence Orchestra (on Monday's swingtime segment). I think it the first time I've heard this big band. I liked it so much, I listened to the song twice. Great brass and reeds ... and everything else too! I'll need to search for a CD the next time I'm in Britain.

That's nice to hear Paul. They are a great orchestra, and we are so lucky to have a name like Syd Lawrence keeping the Big Band music alive on Radio and all over the country

As I recall, there has been a Syd Lawrence orchestra for many many years-not sure how many--but it's a lot.

You are right Marian the original SLO was formed in 1967.
Chris Dean took over the leadership when Syd retired in 1996.
Although John and I are always 'banging on' to who ever will listen about this great Orchestra we are thrilled that you have discovered them for yourself Paul.
The last CD out was called 'Strictly Big Band' which includes great tracks like Cherokee,Lover,Autumn in New York and Girl Talk.
They also put together a 'Salute to Glenn Miller' CD which of course includes all the Miller favourites such as American Patrol,Stardust,Jeep Jockey Jump and of course Moonlight Serenade.
The exciting news is that they have recently been back in the studios where the theme of the new CD is music from the movies where the tracks will include Taras Theme,Hooray for Hollywood,Laura,Put on a Happy Face,Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,Pink Panther theme,Alexanders Ragtime Band,
Strike Up The Band,Put On a Happy Face,With a Song in my Heart,Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead, and one of the best James Bond medleys you will ever hear!
This will hopefully be due for release about October time.WE can't wait

An interesting selection of songs there--could be great !!

Correction: Bryan Pendleton took over for Syd Lawrence after Syd decided to retire partly due to health problems. Bryan played piano and arranged many of the songs played by the band. Chris Dean followed Bryan 2-3 years after Syd retired, but Syd did make brief appearances at the convention when I was there in 1993 at Pontins Pakefield Center