Eric Allandale (born Eric Allandale Dubuisson 4 March 1936 – 23 August 2001) was a trombonist, songwriter, and bandleader. During the 1960s, he was in number of bands in various genres which included jazz pop and soul.
Background Early life A native of Dominica, West Indies, he moved to the U.K. in 1954 to complete his education. He joined the Hammersmith Borough Brass Band as a trumpeter while working as its council surveyor. He later switched to trombone and formed an amateur band playing jazz.
Musical and other Beginning 1958 he performed at the Cellar Club in Soho, then joined bands led by Teddy Layton and Sonny Morris. During the 1960s, he was a member of the Terry Lightfoot and Alex Welsh bands and played with Edmundo Ros.(50connect, A Chat With The Foundations' Clem Curtis) - He played trombone and sang in the blues band Dillingers with saxophonist Don Mackrill and bassist Ronnie Shapiro, the brother of Helen Shapiro.(Don Mackrill website, About) - He also led his band, The New Orleans KnightsDisc, No. 149 28 January 1961 - Page 15 Trad Round-Up - By OWEN BRYCE, ERIC ALLENDALE is the latest addition to our trad. scene. and was a member of Romeo Z,CBS New Releases promo sheet - (Discogs) NEW RELEASES, ROMEO Z and The Foundations during the 1960s.The Guardian, Friday 21 September 2001 Eric Allandale Powerful trombone master of jazz and pop - Val Wilmer
Allandale also had a period in the 1960s where he found work acting. He appeared in two films and a television show.Beat Instrumental, February, 1968 - Page 27 FROM MILITARY BAND TO FOUNDATIONS, B.I. Talks to ERIC ALLAN DALE
Allandale was one of the musicians that Brian Jones would persuade to come back to his flat when he ventured out to catch the jazz shows.Brian Jones : the making of the Rolling Stones by Paul Trynka - 2014 - Page 44
Eric Allandale Jazz band etc. As advertised in the 19 July 1958 issue of Melody Maker, on the Tuesday, he was appearing at the Star & Garter in Putney and billed as Eric Allandale, his band and guests,Melody Maker, 19 July 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * TUESDAY *, ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZ CLUB "Star and Carter." Putney: ERIC ALLANDALE, His band, and Guests and on the Wednesday, his outfit billed as The Eric Allandale Jazz band was appearing at The Cellar.Melody Maker, 19 July 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * WEDNESDAY *, ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZBAND (swinging jazz unlimited) at "The Cellar." A treat for all trad. fans As advertised in the following week issue of Melody Maker (26 July), they appeared to be appearing at Star & Garter again on the Tuesday, and on the Wednesday at The Cellar.Melody Maker, 26 July 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * TUESDAY *, ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZ CLUB, Star and Garter, Putney. We never stop swinging. Guests. and apparently again on the Wednesday at The Cellar.Melody Maker, 26 July 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * WEDNESDAY *, AT THE CELLAR: ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZBAND and the ROMSIDERSMelody Maker, 26 July 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * WEDNESDAY *, ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZBAND, acclaimed the swingiest "trad." in town at The Cellar. As advertised in the 6 September issue of Melody Maker, on the Friday, Eric Allandale's Jazz Band was appearing at the Bull Hotel,Melody Maker, 6 September 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * FRIDAY-Contd., DARTFORD: ERIC ALLANDALE'S JAZZ BAND,-Bull Hotel and on the Wednesday at The Cellar.Melody Maker, 6 September 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDER, * WEDNESDAY *, AT THE CELLAR: ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZBAND and the METROPOLITANS On Friday, 4 October they were appearing at the Co-Op Hall in Gravesend.Meloday Maker, Friday 4 October 1958 - Page 12 Jazz CLUB CALENDAR * FRIDAY (TODAY) *, GRAVESEND: ERIC ALLANDALE JAZZ BAND. - Co-Op. Hall.
New Orleans Knights
New Orleans Knights members Eric Allandale – trombone and bandleader Jeff Brown – trumpetJazz News, 5 April 1961 - Page 20, Jazz News Souvenir Photograph No. 26 - Eric Allandale's Knights Will Hastie – clarinet Eddie Edwards – banjo Jim Goudie – bass Colin Miller – drums Laurie Chescoe – drums Mike Wallace - drumsDisc, 29 September 1962 - Page 10 Trad Round-Up, ERIC ALLANDALE goes to prison on Wednesday
Background In the early 1960s Allandale led the New Orleans Knights, (possibly also referred to as The Jazz KnightsThe Guardian, Fri 21 Sep 2001 - Eric Allandale Powerful trombone master of jazz and pop - Val Wilmer) who were regulars on the trad jazz circuit. The New Orleans Knights lineups included drummer Colin Miller who, years later, joined the Chris Barber Band; banjo player Eddie Edwards; and drummer Laurie Chescoe. They have been billed as both Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights and The New Orleans Knights Led by Eric Allandale.
They played a lot of original material and if they felt that a number was not pleasing the crowd, they would drop it. Allandale was quoted by Crescendo in the July 1962 issue saying that they could not play Acker or Kenny if they tried and he would not attempt it for all the money in the world.Crescendo, July, 1962 - Page Four Traditional Dilemma, Dedication They also included rare Duke Ellington works in their repertoire as well as arrangements by Kenny Graham.
They recorded for the Columbia label, releasing two singlesMusic Metason - ArtistInfo, The New Orleans KnightsRecord Mail, February, 1962 - Page 5 LATEST Columbia ISSUES and were represented by Lyn Dutton Agency.Melody Maker, 15 April 1961 - Page 12 Band Call ! THE NEW ORLEANS KNIGHTS Led by ERIC ALLANDALEJazz News, 7 February 1962 - Page 6 JAZZ IS OUR BUSINESS, No. 4- Lyn Dutton Agency, The Bands they represent
1961 Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights
The 28 January 1961 issue of Disc referred to Allandale as the latest addition on the trad Jazz scene. The magazine said that he was the colored trombonist who had featured with the Sonny Morris Band for a long time and now he was leading his own band, The New Orleans Knights. The magazine also noted that he had been in Düsseldorf for the last three months. The line up at the time also included Will Hastie, Geoff Brown, Jim Goudie, Eddie Edwards and Laurie Chescoe.Disc, 28 January 1961 - Page 15 Trad Round-up - by OWEN BRYCE
On Saturday, 25 February, the New Orleans Knights led by Eric Allandale were appearing at the Eel Pie Island Hotel, and they were appearing there on Saturday 25 March and they were appearing again on Saturday April, 1st. They would appear at the venue again at least ten more times.EELPILAND - Eel Pie Island Roll-call, 1961
As of April, 1961, the line up comprised Eric Allandale (trombone and group leader), Will Hastie (clarinet), Geoff Brown (trumpet), Jim Goudie (bass), Eddie Edwards (banjo) and Laurie Chescoe (drums).Jazz News, Wednesday 5 April 1961 - Page 16 Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights That month they were appearing at the jazz club in Wood Green on Saturday 15th, West end Ballroom in Birmingham on Sunday 16th, the Marlborough Hall in Wimbledon on Monday 17th, Railway Hotel in Crawley on Wednesday 19th, the jazz club in Swindon on Thursday 20 April, and J. C in Picadilly on Friday 21st.
Making their television debut, group appeared on the TV show, The Sunday Break which was broadcast on ABC on Sunday 3 December 1961.Jazz News, 8 November 1961 - Page 4AROUND THE SCENETV Pop Diaries - 1961, Sunday 3 December 1961, ABC The Sunday Break 6.15 - 7.00 pm
On Sunday, 24 December 1961, Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights played at the Cavern. Other groups that played on that date were, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Johnny Sandon and The Searchers.The Cavern Club: The Rise of The Beatles and Merseybeat, By Spencer Leigh - Sunday 24 December 1961
1962 The group would have two singles released on Columbia's Landsdowne Jazz Series in the UK in 1962. One of the singles, "Little Hans", had Allandale credited as the new music arranger. The 30 December 1961 issue of Cash Box, had mentioned that the group made their disc debut with "Dominican Carnival" on the Columbia Records Landsdowne Series. It was due for release on 19 January 1962.Cash Box, 30 December 1961 - Page 8 Cash Box ENGLAND When the single was released, "Little Hans (Hanschen klein)" was the A side and "Dominican Carnival" was on the B side. It was also released in Germany on Metronome label, catalogue no. B 1521.Discogs - The New Orleans Knights lead by Eric Allandale* – Hänschen Klein (Little Hans), Metronome B 1521
Along with The Confederates Jazz band, they appeared on Discs-A-Gogo which was aired on 8 February 1962.TV Pop Diaries- 1962, Thursday 8 February 1962
On 6 March Eric Allandale and his New Orleans Knights were appearing at the Jazzshows Jazz Club.Melody Maker, 3 March 1962 - Page 16 LONDON JAZZ CLUBS, Jazzshows Jazz Club
Allandale was pictured on the front cover of the 14 March 1962 issue of Jazz News.Jazz News, 14 March 1962 - Page 1 This week's cover photo - Bandleader/trombonist Eric Allandale
On 22 April, Allandale and group were appearing at the Brighton Chinese Jazz Club for an All Night Rave with Len Baldwin and the Dauphin Street Six, and the New City Jazzmen.Jazz News, 28 March 1962 - Page 8 BRIGHTON CHINESE JAZZ CLUB, BANK HOLIDAY ALL NIGHT RAVE On the 24th of that month they were appearing at the Aylesbury Social Club.AYLESBURY MUSIC TOWN - 1962 Aylesbury Jazz Club, Published on May 7, 2016 by Stephen Daglish, 24/4/1962
On 1 June, Eric Allandale and the New Orleans Knights were broadcasting on EMI's Friday Spectacular which would be heard on Radio Luxembourg. The writer for Disc, Owen Bryce said in the 26 May issue that the group was well worth a listen for their special arrangements.Disc, 26 May 1965 - Page 10 TRAD JAZZ ROUND UP - OWEN BRYCE, On 1 June
It was noted in the 22 September 1962 issue of Disc that Laurie Chescoe had left the New Orleans Knights to join Monty Sunshine's Jazz Band where he was replacing Ron Darby.Disc, 22 September 1962 - Page 10 Jazz, Trad Round-Up, Laurie Chescoe According to the 29 September issue of Disc, Mike Wallace was one of the drummers filling in the spot since the departure of Chescoe. He had previously been with Nat Gonella and Sonny Morris. It was also reported in the issue that Allandale was giving a free show to the inmates at Wandsworth jail on the Wednesday.
Allandale's group was appearing at The Corn Exchange in Bristol on 5 October with the Clyde Valley Stompers for an all-night gig.
1963 Billed as Eric Allendale and his New Orleans Knights, they were appearing at the Jazzshows Jazz Club at 100 Oxford Street in London on 21 January 1963.Punch, 25 January 1963 - xii JAZZ Another scheduled appearance for the group at the Jazzshows Jazz Club was on 28 May.Punch, 22 May 1963 - xvii JAZZ, 28 May
New Orleans Knights led by Eric Allendale Appearing at the Jazzshows Jazz Club on 4 July, they were now billed as New Orleans Knights led by Eric Allendale.Punch 3 July 1963 - xii JAZZ, 4 July They were still billed as New Orleans Knights led by Eric Allendale and still appearing at the club on 13 August.Punch, 7 August 1963 - xiii JAZZ, 13 August