Jay Wilbur

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jay Wilbur
Birth nameWilbur Blinco
Born1898
Hampshire, England
Died1968
Cape Town, South Africa
GenresJazz
Swing music
Big band
British dance band
Occupation(s)Dance bandleader
LabelsRex, Dominion Records, Crown, Imperial, Eclipse

James Edward Wilbur (1898–1968) was a British bandleader and prolifically recorded musician identified with and influential in the era of

Big Band and British dance band music.[1]

Wilbur was born Wilbur Blinco in 1898 in Leamington Spa.[2] He became recording director for Dominion Records[3] in 1928, but left Dominion shortly before its demise, and became recording manager for the Crystalate Manufacturing Company.[4] With his own name and under many pseudonyms,[5] his recordings appeared on a variety of labels, including Imperial, Eclipse, Rex and Crown.

He broadcast for the BBC in the 1930s, often featuring guest artists such as Fats Waller.[6] In 1941, he appeared as himself in the film Hi Gang!.[7] His dance band recordings often featured a young Vera Lynn on vocals, and he later accompanied Lynn on her solo releases.[8]

Jay Wilbur and His Band performed extensively for Allied military servicemembers during World War II. He is known for recording established tunes while rendering them in foxtrot style.[9]

Wilbur died in

Cape Town, South Africa, in 1968.[10]

References

  1. ^ McCanna, Barry (2005). "Jay Wilbur" (PDF). Dance Band Personalities. Retrieved 4 April 2011. See also the London Band photograph (accessed 2011-04-04).
  2. .
  3. ^ Arthur Badrock (1976). "Dominion Records: a catalogue and history". Talking Machine Review.
  4. ^ Schleman, Hilton R. (1978). Rhythm on Record. Greenwood Press. p. 212.
  5. . Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  6. . Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  7. . Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Vera Lynn Accompanied By Jay Wilbur And His Band – The First Lullaby / Room Five-Hundred-And-Four (1941, Shellac)". Discogs. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  9. YouTube
    1934 foxtrot rendition (accessed 2011-04-04).
  10. .