Arthur Calkin with Ray Starita

Arthur Calkin
The photograph above is as it appeared in "Rhythm" dated August 1930.

The following is re-printed here from a cutting taken from "Rhythm" dated August 1930 and accompanies the photo above :

Ray And Rudy Starita at the Kit Cat

Here is a picture of Ray Starita's new band which is now playing
at the Kit Cat Restaurant in place of Ted Lewis.
After practically every out-of-work band in London had given an
audition, the Starita brothers rolled up and took the job.

The members of the combination are as follows:
Ray StaritaTenos sax and leader
Rudy StaritaDrums, xylophone and vibraphone
Harry JacobsonPiano (late of Berkeley Hotel)
Arthur CalkinBass
George OliverBanjo and guitars
Bert WiltonTrumpet
Nobby KnightTrumpet
Leslie CarewTrombone
Jean PineViolin

We expect that Ray and Rudy will be continuing their recording for
Columbia and we understand that the band is going to be featured
over the air.

Brother Al, they tell us, is doing very well in America and at the
present time is leading his own band at a summer resort.

As far as we are aware Arthur played with Ray Starita for about 3 to 4 years.

What follows are all the known recordings that feature Arthur Calkin with Ray and Rudy Starita as quoted from Rust & Forbes - British Dance Bands on Record 1911 - 1945.

Click this image to see detail of the Rust and Forbes tome:   Rust and Forbes Detail

Most of these sessions resulted in records being produced as can be seen by the catalogue numbers. Songs with the same catalogue numbers appear on the same issue (A and B sides), the matrix number then defines the sides of the pressings. You will also see some matrix numbers assigned for pressing but rejected from the final release with another number replacing it.

I should also say that just because Rust and Forbes says the personnel listed below played on each recording, it is not necessarily the case.
The personnel shown in Rust & Forbes are mainly based on who usually played in the band at that time, whereas there are bound to be occasions where a musician couldn't attend for one reason or another, and a substitute would have been called in. The list below is a very good guide, but should not be taken as gospel.
For instance, Arthur left us records he mentioned he played on but R&F does not include him in it's band list. There are a couple that don't make sense as the recording dates quoted in Rust and Forbes don't fall in line with my Grandfather's own scrapbook which shows certain dates he joined bands. It is clear that there are discrepancies. But, we are sure back at that time he did help out with other bands and filled in on occasions when personnel weren't available. Indeed, my father also confirms as such. He definitely made un-credited appearances and missed out on some Harry Roy sessions, so we can never be sure who actually played on every recording.
In another good example, Syd Roy (Harry's brother) made a number of recordings with his "RKOlians" for Woolworth's sixpenny Eclipse label. Correspondent, and expert on the subject, Mike Thomas, mentioned to me that he thought that after the first few sessions it is pretty obvious when listening to the records, that the band is actually Harry Roy's. After all, Syd was Harry's manager and gave up actually leading a band in the early 1930s. This means there is quite likely another raft of records which Arthur seems to have played on ......

 
231 recordings are listed below.

103 original record releases, with many tracks appearing on other issues at the time.

 

RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Andy Richardson and/or Freddy Pitt (trumpets), Bill Hall (trombone), Chester Smith (alto-sax), Reg Pursglove (violin),
Donald Thorne (piano), Jack Hill (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass/sousaphone), Rudy Starita (drums/vibes/xyl), Eddie Collis (vocals).
        Note: The brass section was added for recordings, the band appearing in the Ambassadors Club had no brass at all.

March 7th 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7066-1 Rolling The Log Columbia COL 4851
WA-7067-1 My Man
WA-7068-1 Just Like Darby And Joan Columbia COL 4787
WA-7069-1 Where Are You Now ? Columbia COL 4788
March 13th 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7100-1 Hand In Hand With Happiness Columbia COL 4871
WA-7101-1 Strolling Again Down Lovers Lane
WA-7102-1 So Tired Columbia COL 4788
WA-7103-1 Sweet Suzanne Columbia COL 4787
April 5th 1928 (Sylvester Ahola (trumpet) replaces Pitt.)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7216-2 Love Lies Columbia COL 4853
WA-7217-1 Blue River
WA-7218-2 Together Columbia COL 4872
WA-7219-2 There's Somebody New
April 30th 1928 (Arranged by Irving Brodsky)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7300-1-2-3 Ramona Columbia Rejected Recordings
WA-7301-1-2 An' Furthermore
WA-7302-1-2 There Must Be A Silver Lining
WA-7303-1-2 Teach Me To Dance Like Grandma
May 17th 1928 (Nat Star (clarinet/alto-sax), Phil Arnold, Ted Brandt, Eddie Pola (Vocal trio) all added)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7387-2 Blue Eyes Columbia COL 4919
WA-7388-2 Back To The Heather
WA-7389-1 I'm Saving Saturday Night For You Columbia COL 4910
WA-7390-1 Our Bungalow Of Dreams
May 24th 1928 (Freddy Pitt (trumpet) replaces Aloha, Les Reid (vocals) added, Nat Star omitted)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7300-6 Ramona Columbia COL 4909
WA-7301-3 An' Furthermore Columbia COL 4915
WA-7302-3 There Must Be A Silver Lining Columbia COL 4909
WA-7303-3 Teach Me To Dance Like Grandma Columbia COL 4915
June 13th 1928 (Sylvester Ahola (trumpet) replaces Pitt, Fred Kitchen (vocals) added)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7490-1 Chilly Pom Pom Pee Columbia COL 4959
WA-7491-1 Do I Do Wrong ? Columbia COL 4943
WA-7491-2 Do I Do Wrong ? Rejected
WA-7492-1 Parysia Columbia COL 4959
WA-7493-2 I Call You Sugar Columbia COL 4943
June 30th 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7574-2 Rhapsody In Rhythm Columbia COL 5006
WA-7575-1 That's What I Call Keen
WA-7576-2 Just A Little Fond Affection Columbia COL 4960
WA-7577-1 Mistakes
September 29th 1928 (Eddie Grossbart (vocals) added, Arranged by Lew Stone)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7905-2 I Just Roll Along having My Ups And Downs Columbia COL 5042
WA-7906-2 Crazy Rhythm Columbia COL 5137
WA-7907-1 Forty-Seven Ginger-Headed Sailors Columbia COL 5042
WA-7908-2 Where Have You Been all My Life Columbia COL 5137

Ray Starita Record Review
Ray Starita and the Ambassadors Record Reviews
(from Rhythm Vol.II No.16 - December 1928)

RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Andy Richardson, Freddy Pitt or Arthur Niblo (trumpets), Bill Hall (trombone), Nat Star (clarinet/alto-sax), Chester Smith (alto-sax)
Reg Pursglove (violin), Donald Thorne (piano), Jack Hill (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass/sousaphone), Rudy Starita (cornet/vibes/xyl).
Vocalists: Phil Arnold, Betty Bolter, Eddie Grossbart, Lily Morris, Pat O'Malley.
Lew Stone (arranger).

October 11th 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-7973-1 Ev'ry Little Moment Columbia COL 5228
WA-7974-1 Roll Away, Clouds Columbia COL 5078
WA-7975-1 Spread A Little Happiness Columbia COL 5228
WA-7976-1 Dreams Of Yesterday Columbia COL 5078
November 14th 1928 (Unknown player replaces Nat Star)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8103-1 Girl Of My Dreams Columbia COL 5157
WA-8104-1 Truly Rural Columbia COL 5145
WA-8105-2 In A Hidden Corner Columbia COL 5157
WA-8106-2 Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life Columbia COL 5145
November 28th 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8149-1 Why Is The Bacon so Tough ? Columbia COL 5163
WA-8150-2 Enchantment
WA-8156-2 I Think Of What You Used To Think Of Me Columbia COL 5179
WA-8157-2 Just A Night For Meditation
December 3rd 1928
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8183-1 Shout Hallelujah ! Columbia COL 5165
WA-8184-2 You're In My Heart
January 14th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8339-2 One And One Are Two Columbia COL 5227
WA-8340-1-2 Dada ! Dada ! Rejected
WA-8341-1 In The Shadows Columbia COL 5246
WA-8342-2 Falling In Love With You
January 31st 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8340-3 Dada ! Dada ! Columbia COL 5227
WA-8491-2 Avalon Town Columbia COL 5267
WA-8492-1-2 Fashionette Rejected
WA-8493-1 Kiddie Kapers Columbia COL 5267
WAY-4-1 Sometimes Columbia COL R-2 (for Roberts & Co, West Croydon)
March 2nd 1929 (George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar) replaces Jack Hill)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8638-2 That's The Good Old Sunny South Columbia COL 5327
WA-8639-2 Up The River
WA-8640-1 Forever Columbia COL 5304
WA-8641-2 I Ain't Never Been Kissed
March 22nd 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8738-2 Second Hand Rose Columbia COL 5361
WA-8739-2 My Man
WA-8740-1-2 I Was A Florodora Baby Rejected
WA-8741-1-2 Just An Hour Of Adoration
April 25th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8923-2 All Alone In Lover's Lane Columbia COL 5376
WAX-4876-1 The Five O'Clock Girl - Selection, Part 1
(Intro. Thinking Of You/Who Did ? You Did !)
Columbia COL 9715
WAX-4877-2 The Five O'Clock Girl - Selection, Part 2
(Intro. Up In The Clouds/Happy-Go-Lucky Bird)
RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Andy Richardson, Freddy Pitt or Arthur Niblo (trumpets), Bill Hall (trombone), A.N.Other (clarinet/alto-sax), Chester Smith (clarinet/alto-sax)
Reg Pursglove (violin), Donald Thorne (piano), George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass/sousaphone), Rudy Starita (cornet/vibes/xyl).
Vocalists: Betty Bolton, Ted Brandt, Eddie Collis, Eddie Grossbart, Harry Shalson.
Phil Cardew (arranger).
May 4th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-8924-1 My Flame Of Love Columbia COL 5376
WA-8950-2 The Wedding Of The Painted Doll Columbia COL 5380
WA-8951-2 Wake Up ! Chill'un, Wake Up !
Note: I have seen COL 5380 The Wedding Of The Painted Doll listed as by Debroy Somers Band ?
May 31st 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9072-1 You're The Cream In My Coffee Columbia COL 5423
WA-9073-1 To Know You Is To Love You
June 13th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9074-1 Ever So Goosey Columbia COL 5424
WA-9075-1 Blue Hills Of Pasadena
WA-9157-1 Is Izzy Azzy Wozz ? Columbia COL 5479
WA-9158-1 Sarah Jane
WA-9159-1 The Hollow Of A Hill Columbia COL 5480
Note: Matrices 9074 & 9075 were scheduled to be made on the 31st May.
June 22nd 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9206-1 Broadway Columbia COL 5442
WA-9207-2 The Chicken Or The Egg
WA-9208-2 That's What I Call Heaven Columbia COL 5539
WA-9209-2 Don't Make My Heart Your Plaything Columbia COL 5480
July 3rd 1929 (Ted Edbrooke (violin) replaces Reg Pursglove)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9242-1 Wait 'Til You See My Cherie Columbia COL 5501
WA-9243-2 Um-tcha, Um-tcha, Da-Da-Da Columbia COL 5502
WA-9244-1 It's A Habit Of Mine Columbia COL 5501
WA-9245-1 Blue Days Are Over Columbia COL 5502
August 7th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9341-1 I'm doing What I'm Doing For Love Columbia COL 5523
WAX-5133-2 Bitter Sweet - Selection, Part 1
(Intro. Overture/Tokay/Kiss Me/If Love Were All/Zigeuner)
Columbia COL 9782
WAX-5134-2 Bitter Sweet - Selection, Part 2
(Intro. If You Could Only Come With Me/The Call Of Life/I'll See You Again/Dear Little Cafe/Ladies Of The Town)
September 14th 1929
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9489-1 Come On Baby Columbia COL 5590
WA-9490-2 Through I
WA-9491-2 My Dream Memory Columbia COL 5606
WA-9492-2 Because I'm Fond Of You
October 23rd 1929 Ray Starita/Santos Casani Speech
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9661-2 Au Revoir Columbia COL 5623
WA-9682-2 The Skaters
WA-9683-1 She's so Unusual Columbia COL 5679
WA-9684-2 I Don't Know How Columbia COL 5620
RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Andy Richardson, Freddy Pitt or Arthur Niblo (trumpets), Bill Hall (trombone), Chester Smith (clarinet/saxes/oboe), Nat Star (clarinet/alto-sax),
Ted Edbrooke (violin), Donald Thorne (piano), George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass/sousaphone), Rudy Starita (cornet/vibes/xyl).
Vocalists: Lou Abelardo, Sam Browne, Eddie Collis.
December 11th 1929 at Central Hall, Westminster (extra strings added for this session)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WAX-5289-1 The House That Jack Built - Selection, Part 1
(Intro. The Thought Never Entered My Head/The House I'd Build/Teardrops From Her Eyes)
Columbia COL 9915
WAX-5290-2 The House That Jack Built - Selection, Part 2
(Intro. She's Such A Comfort To Me/I've Fallen In Love/Playing The Game/My Heart Is Saying)
December 23rd 1929 (Unknown player (clarinet/alto-sax) replaces Nat Star)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-9890-2 I'll Always Remember Columbia CB-7
WA-9891-1 Nelly Gray Columbia COL 5701
WA-9892-2 March Of The Chocolate Soldiers
WA-9893-2 I Love You And I Like You Columbia CB-7
January 30th 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10028-1 Pickin' Petals Off O' Daisies Columbia CB-4
WA-10029-2 A Night Of Happiness
WA-10030-2 Remember Me Columbia CB-3
WA-10031-2 The Burning Heart
WAY-6-1 Pickin' Petals Off O' Daisies Columbia COL R-3 (for Roberts & Co, West Croydon)
February 24th 1930 (Philippe Brun, Jack Raine (trumpets), Lew Davis, Leo Vauchant replaces previous brass team)
                                       (Bill Herbert (banjo/acoustic guitar) replaces George Oliver)
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10106-2 Ain't It Great To Be Home Again Columbia CB-20
WA-10107-2 Asleep In My Heart Columbia CB-25
WA-10108-2 Indispensable You
WA-10109-2 The Sunshine Of Marseilles Columbia CB-20
March 8th 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10174-2 Talkie Tunes Medley - Part 1
(Intro. If I Can't Have You/If You Were Mine/Someone/Love Will Find A Way)
Columbia CB-32
WA-10175-2 Talkie Tunes Medley - Part 2
(Intro. Only The Girl/Toujours (Always)/Ship Of My Dreams)
WA-10176-2 The Wedding In The Ark Columbia CB-31
WA-10177-1 All That I'm Asking Is Sympathy
April 14th 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10263-1 Sunday Afternoon Columbia CB-59
WA-10264-1 The Moment I Saw You
WA-10265-2 I'll Always Be Dreaming Of Mary Columbia CB-58
WA-10266-1 Hush-A-Bye Baby
May 2nd 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10346-2 Happy Days Medley - Part 1
(Intro. Minstrel Memories/Crazy Feet/A Toast To The Girl I Love/I'm On A Diet Of Love)
Columbia CB-70
WA-10347-2 Happy Days Medley - Part 2
(Intro. Mona/We'll Build A Little World Of Our Own/Snake Hips/Crazy Feet)
WA-10348-1 The King's Horses Columbia CB-73
WA-10349-1 Gee, It Must Be Love
May 23rd 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10404-2 I'm That Way Over You Columbia CB-80
WA-10405-2 You Taught Me All I Know Columbia CB-79
WA-10406-2 It's You I Love Columbia CB-80
WA-10407-1-2-3 The Seven Step Rejected
RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Andy Richardson, Freddy Pitt or Arthur Niblo (trumpets), Ted Heath (trombone), Chester Smith (clarinet/alto-sax), A.N.Other (clarinet/alto-sax),
Ted Edbrooke (violin), Donald Thorne (piano), George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass/sousaphone), Rudy Starita (drums/vibes/xyl).
Vocalist: Lou Abelardo.
June 14th 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10407-4 The Seven Step Columbia CB-79
WA-10479-2 When I Passed The Old Church Door Columbia CB-96
WA-10480-2 My Love Affair
Ray Starita Leaves The Ambassadors
Ray Starita Leaves The Ambassadors
(from Rhythm Vol.III No.32 - April 1930)

RAY STARITA AND HIS BAND
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Bert Wilton, Nobby Knight (trumpets), Les Carew (trombone), Chester Smith (clarinet/saxes/oboe), Edgar Bracewell (clarinet/saxes),
George Glover (clarinet/tenor-sax/violin), Eugene Pine (violin), Harry Jacobson (piano), George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass), Rudy Starita (drums/vibes/xyl).
Vocalists: Maurice Elwin, Jack Plant.

August 21st 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10595-2 In A Quiet Corner Columbia CB-122
WA-10596-2 One Night Alone With You
WA-10597-2 I've Got A Feeling Columbia CB-118
WA-10598-1 I Don't Wanna Go Home
WM-46 In A Quiet Corner Columbia DC-2002
WM-47 One Night Alone With You
WM-48 I've Got A Feeling Columbia DC-2001
WM-49 I Don't Wanna Go Home
November 6th 1930 - Ben Collins, George Burgess (trumpets) replace Wilton & Knight.
                                         Lew Davis (trombone) replaces Carew, Rex Owen (clarinet/alto-sax) replaces Bracewell.
                                         George Hurley (violin) replaces Pine, Harry Robens (piano) replaces Jacobson.
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10880-2 Angel Mother Columbia CB-157
WA-10881-2 The Dance Of The Wooden Shoes Columbia CB-177
WA-10882-1 Are You A Russian ? (Or Just In a Hurry) Columbia CB-157
WA-10883-2 Were You Just Pretending ? Columbia CB-177
December 3rd 1930
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-10938-1 My Desire Columbia CB-187
WA-10939-1 A Little Love Song
WA-10940-1 Songs I Heard At Mother's Knee Columbia CB-188
WA-10941-1 Down The Lane To Home, Sweet Home
WA-10942-2 Put Your Worries Through The Mangle Columbia CB-195
January 20th 1931
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-11087-1 Dancing In Your Sleep Columbia CB-211
WA-11088-2 If I Had Three Wishes
WAX-5942-1 Blue Roses - Selection, Part 1
(Intro. Dancing In Your Sleep/Where Have You Been Hiding ?/Dancing In Your Sleep/Night's The Time)
Columbia CB-70
WAX-5943-2 Blue Roses - Selection, Part 2
(Intro. I Saw The Moon Through The Window/My Heart's A Compass/Four Little Titled Shop Assistants/If I Had Three Wishes)
February 4th 1931
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WAX-5962-1 Stand Up And Sing - Selection, Part 1
(Intro. Stand Up And Sing/It's Not You/I Would If I Could/Keep Smiling/It's Not You)
Columbia DX-218
WAX-5963-1 Stand Up And Sing - Selection, Part 2
(Intro. There's Always Tomorrow/Take It Or Leave It/There's Always Tomorrow/Nobody To Take Care Of Me)
February 5th 1931
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
WA-11161-2 There's Always Tomorrow Columbia CB-219
WA-11162-2 It's Not You

From the last entry above made in February, there is a break in Ray Starita's recordings of over 10 months coupled with a change of record label. During this break by Starita, Arthur Calkin first started playing with Harry Roy as he is listed from April 1931 on his recordings and in his scrap book. In Rust and Forbes there is then some crossover where Arthur is listed as recording with both bands right up to the end of 1931. It is unclear at which point Arthur played with Starita for the last time.

Correspondent David Paye found the following information from a 1930 Melody Maker:
"Marius Winter has arranged a year's contract at Romanos restaurant in the Strand for a band led by Murray Barley (violin), Harry Carter, Hugh Tripp, Jack Davies and Chick Smith (brass), Bobby McGee (piano), Bert Jackson (drums) and Arthur Calkin (bass).
The contract runs from Sunday 19th October 1930."

Looking at Rust and Forbes, it mentions Marius B. Winter And His Dance Orchestra as having recorded on the Broadcast label from October 1930 to April 1931. But it does not include Arthur Calkin as a member of the personnel. Of course, there are plenty of errors in the catalogue which could explain the discrepancy or Arthur may have decided not to take the booking ?

RAY STARITA AND HIS AMBASSADORS
Ray Starita (clarinet/tenor-sax), Sid Buckman, Nat Gonella (trumpets), Chester Smith (clarinet/saxes/oboe), Nat Star (clarinet/alto-sax),
George Glover (clarinet/tenor-sax/violin), George Hurley (violin/vocals), Harry Robens (piano), George Oliver (banjo/acoustic guitar), Arthur Calkin (string bass), Rudy Starita (drums/vibes/xyl).
Vocalists: Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle.

December 16th 1931
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2082-1-2-3-4 Get Happy Rejected
S-2083-1-2 When It's Sleepy Time Down South
January 5th 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2103-2 Desert Lover Sterno ST 863
S-2104-1 A Faded Summer Love Sterno ST 862
S-2105-1 When It's Sleepy Time Down South
S-2106-1 Kisses In The Dark Sterno ST 863
S-2107-1 Get Happy Sterno ST 861
S-2108-1 Oh Mo'nah
January 22nd 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2177-1 You Try Somebody Else Sterno ST 900
S-2178-1 Home Sterno ST 879
S-2179-1 Three Little Times
S-2180-1 Three Little Times Sterno ST FR-134
S-2181-2 She Jumped On Her Pushbike And Pedalled Away Sterno ST 883
S-2182-2 Just A Crazy Song
S-2183-1 I Like To Hear A Military Band Sterno ST 884
February 3rd 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2197-2 Goofus Sterno ST 884
S-2198-2 Open Up Dem Pearly Gates Sterno ST 899
S-2199-1 In The Jailhouse Now
S-2200-1 Once Aboard The Lugger Sterno ST 885
S-2201-1 Running Around The Trees
S-2202-1 You Rascal, You Sterno ST 900
March 2nd 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2272-1 Winnie The Wailer Sterno ST 906
S-2273-1 Perry Werry Winkle
S-2274-3 Leave Me Alone With My Dreams Sterno ST 923
S-2275-2 By The Sycamore Tree Sterno ST 928
S-2276-1 The Wooden Soldier And The China Doll Sterno ST 923
S-2277-1 An Evening In Caroline Sterno ST 928
March 22nd 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2305-2 She Didn't Say Yes Sterno ST 924
S-2306-1 Sailing On The Robert E. Lee Sterno ST 929
S-2307-3 Old Man Bluebeard Sterno ST 944
S-2308-2 Goopy Geer Sterno ST 924
S-2309- Riddles Rejected
S-2310-2 Dance of The Little Dutch Dolls Sterno ST 929
April 18th 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2368-2 Rain On The Roof Sterno ST 943
S-2369-1 Don't Tell A Soul Sterno ST 986
S-2370-2 Riddles Sterno ST 944
S-2371-2 Auf Wiedersehen My Dear Sterno ST 952
S-2372-2 Kiss By Kiss
S-2373-2 Snuggled On Your Shoulder Sterno ST 943
Note: ST 986 was credited as by "ANDRE ASTAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA".
June 15th 1932 Sid Buckman no longer part of the band.
                                       Added vocalists: Les Allan, Tom Barratt, Fred Douglas.
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2473-2 It Ain't No Fault Of Mine Sterno ST 984
S-2474-1 Mean Music Sterno ST 1007, also on Redwing R-1002
S-2475-2 I Don't Blame You Sterno ST 985
S-2476-2 Do The New York Sterno ST 1007
S-2477-2 You'll Find Out Sterno ST 984
S-2478-3 Let That Be A Lesson To You Sterno ST 985
Note: Redwing issue of R-1002 was credited as by "THE RHYTHM ACES".
August 12th 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2521-2 I Want To Cling To Ivy Sterno ST 1019
S-2522-2 The Flies Crawled Up The Window
S-2523-2 When The Band Goes Marching By Sterno ST 1010
S-2524-1 The Clouds Will Soon Roll By Sterno ST 1020
S-2525-1 Sing A New Song
S-2526-2 I Got Rhythm Sterno ST 1023
X-130-2 The Flies Crawled Up The Window/I Want To Cling To Ivy 4 in 1 2
X-132-2 Sing A New Song/I Got Rhythm 4 in 1 3
Note: ST 1010 was credited as by "NAT STAR AND HIS ORCHESTRA".
Note: ST 1023 was credited as by "THE TWELVE RHYTHM MONARCHS".
                                       4 in 1 No. 3
September 1st 1932
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2554-2 In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town Sterno ST 1028
S-2555-2 Georgia On My Mind Sterno ST 1027
S-2556-2 Say That You Were Teasing Me Sterno ST 1036
S-2557-2 Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon (My Man's Gone) Sterno ST 1028
S-2558-2 I Heard Sterno ST 1023
S-2559-1 Shadows On The Window Sterno ST 1027, also on Redwing R-1004
X-148-1 Stop The Sun, Stop The Moon/Say That You Were Teasing Me 4 in 1 6
X-149-2 I Heard/Shadows On The Window 4 in 1 5
Note: ST 1023 and 1028 AND Say That You Were Teasing Me on 4 in 1 6 was credited as by "THE TWELVE RHYTHM MONARCHS".
Note: ST 1036 was credited as by "BILLY SEYMOUR AND THE BOYS".
Note: Redwing R-1004 was credited as by "CHICK HALL AND HIS COLLEGIANS".
Note: Other two tracks on 4 in 1 6 were:
           Bernie Blake and his Orchestra - They All Start Whistling Mary (v. Fred Douglas) and Happy-go-lucky You (v. Tom Barratt)
September 15th 1932 - Unknown harpist present on S-2581-2
Matrix No Track Record Label Catalogue Number
S-2578-2 Walkin' On Air Sterno ST 1042
S-25795-2 Three's A Crowd Sterno ST 1041
S-2580-1 Masquerade Rejected
S-2581-2 Song Of The Harp Sterno ST 1026
S-2582-2 On A Dreamy Afternoon
S-2583-2 Gosh Darn Sterno ST 1042
S-25843-2 Sweethearts For Ever Sterno ST 1041, also on Redwing R-1003
X-159-2 Three's A Crowd/Walking On Air 4 in 1 8
X-160-2 On A Dreamy Afternoon/Song Of The Harp 4 in 1 7
X-161-1 Masquerade/Gosh Darn
X-161-2 Masquerade/Gosh Darn
Note: Redwing R-1003 was credited as by "CHICK HALL AND HIS COLLEGIANS".
Note: Gosh Darn on 4 in 1 7 and Walkin' On Air on 4 in 1 8 were credited as by "THE TWELVE RHYTHM MONARCHS".
Note: Masquerade on 4 in 1 7 was credited as by "ANDRE ASTAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA".
The Melody Maker for November 1932 reported that,
"Ray Starita had not returned to the Ambassadors Club after a lengthy summer vacation. Ray is now in America and his future movements are not known at all." This may mean that he did not take part in any of the above three sessions.

Arthur Calkin
Left to Right: Reg Purseglove, Rudy Starita, Jack Hill, Arthur Calkin, Renato Starita, Donald Thorne, Chester Smith

Looking at the picture above, I know what you are thinking ... "What the heck is a Gugnunc" ?
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred were drawn by Cardiff-born cartoonist Austin Bowen Payne and were characters in a comic strip which first appeared in the Daily Mirror in 1919. In the drawings Pip was a dog, Squeak a penguin and Wilfred, who did not appear until later in the series, was a rabbit. Pip and Squeak were portrayed as Wilfred's parents and there was a supporting cast of a Russian bomb maker and his dog Popski. There was also an appearance by a rather jaded and elderly penguin known as Auntie.
The comic strip, which ran until 1958, proved to be extremely popular with the British public. The Queen Mother was an avid reader when she was a child.
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred became so popular that in 1927, the Wilfredian League of Gugnuncs (or WLOG) was founded in their honour. The name "Gugnunc" came about because unlike Pip and Squeak, Wilfred spoke only in baby-talk and "gug" and "nunc" were his favourite words. The Gugnuncs held parties and meetings and worked to raise funds for children's hospitals and charities.
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred were also the irreverent names given by servicemen to the British campaign medals issued to those who served in the First World War. The medals appeared at the same time that the comic strip gained widespread acclaim and the names stuck. The 1914-15 Star was known as Pip, the British War Medal was Squeak and the Inter-Allied Victory Medal was referred to as Wilfred.



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