Covent Garden Band (1929)

No titles. Covent Garden Band.

Probably filmed in Pathe Studio, London.

M/S of the 17-piece (?) Covent Garden Band playing a fast jazz number "Who Wouldnt Be Jealous Of You" in the studio - real 1920s jazz, with cymbal beats - fabulous sound. The musicians, who include pianist, double bass player, guitarist and tuba player (!) are all in white tie and tails and are conducted by a man standing in the front with his back to us, believed to be Alan Green. He moves about to the music.

A blonde girl in a fantastic sequinned costume comes on and does a Charleston dance routine. After she exits, a small boy in a uniform with lots of buttons on it (like a cinema commissionaire) comes on, elbows the conductor out of the way and conducts the band himself, getting them to lean this way and that.

He then does a little Charlestoning before exiting. This boy might be Alberto, one of the Charleston Babies (see EP 092, 100, 112 and 181), but a claim has been made that his name was Johnny and he also played xylophone in the band.

The flapper girl and the small boy come back on for another bit of Charlestoning, and the conductor joins in, doing a bit of tap dancing.

This is a great late 20s turn! It probably originates from Pathe Sound Magazine 19.
FILM ID:3254.05

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