Eddie Grossbart
Eddie Grossbart | |
|---|---|
| File:Eddie Grossbart 1928.jpg Eddie Grossbart in 1928 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Grossbart |
| Born | 5 October 1900[1][2] Newark, New Jersey |
| Died | 27 October 1985 (aged 85) England |
| Genres | Jazz, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader, Drummer, Singer |
| Years active | 1920–1985 |
| Labels | Edison Bell Winner |
Eddie Grossbart was an American-Born Bandleader, Vocalist, and Drummer, who led a band at many of the top clubs and restaurants during the early 1930's in Britain. He stayed in the Dance Band community until his death in 1985.
Early Career
Eddie moved to England in January 1920, where he stayed for the rest of his life. Shortly after he arrived, Eddie joined Ambrose and his Orchestra at the Embassy Club. Unfortunately, Ambrose’s new Embassy band did not record or broadcast. The Melody Maker commented on the band's lack of radio exposure, while the answer for this was due in part to the Embassy’s owner, who did not want to compromise the band’s "exclusivity". Grossbart eventually left Ambrose's orchestra, and started to record a few solo records in the late 1920's, and did some freelancing as a vocalist for recordings.
Career as a Bandleader
After working with several other bands like Alfredo and his Band and Ray Starita and his Ambassadors Band, Eddie decided to go out and form his own band. In 1930, he was able to acquire the position of a bandleader at the Ambassador Club in London. His band consisted of a trumpet, trombone, two alto saxophones, a tenor saxophone, a banjo, a piano, a string bass, and Eddie himself on the drums. In the Spring of 1931, Eddie bought the Café Anglais,[3] and his band became the resident band there. It was around this time when he started recording sides for Edison Bell Winner records under several aliases, such as Eddie Gross-Bart & His Ambassador Club Band,[4] Eddie Gross-Bart & His Café Anglais Band,[5] and Eddie Gross-Bart & His Café De Paris Band.[6] It is estimated that he recorded around 60 sides during his time at the Ambassador Club and the Café Anglais in 1931. As well as leading his band, Eddie also would provide the vocal refrains for most of his songs, including playing the drums in the band. In late Autumn of 1931, Eddie Grossbart and his band moved over to the Café De Paris[7] where he was resident there until he disbanded the band for a temporary amount of time in January, 1932.
Although Eddie's last side on Edison Bell Winner was released in early 1932, he continued to lead a band at Murray's Club[8] until it was moved and re-opened in a different location.
Late Career
Grossbart continued into the 1950's as a bandleader and vocalist, even though the dance band era ended over a decade ago. Eddie was still referred to as a "Premier Dance Band Leader" and would often perform as a vocalist at clubs. He was apparently the first in Britain to perform "Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jelly-Roll" in 1950.[9] Even after retiring from being a bandleader, Eddie had a scrapbook that included photographs of different bands and bandleaders, including some from his own band. He would also participate in interviews about his time in bands and as a bandleader, including one particular story during an interview in 1980, where Eddie recalled a rivalry between the band he was then playing with, which was resident at the Hammersmith Palais, who were all Jewish, and the Madden band, who were all Italians. One night, one of their quarrels escalated into a fist fight, involving both the Italian and the Jewish gangs. Fortunately, they settled their differences, and according to Eddie, they all went to Kate Meyrick’s Nightclub to celebrate their new-found friendship.[10]
Death
On October 27, 1985, Eddie succumbed to old age, and passed away at the age of 85 in London. He was buried at the Willesden United Synagogue Cemetery in Willesden, Greater London, England.[11]
Filmography
- Gala! (1931)
- La Mode - The Dress Parade (1931)
- Murray's Club (1933)
References
- ↑ "Artist: Eddie Grossbart | SecondHandSongs". SecondHandSongs.
- ↑ "Eddie Gross-Bart discography - RYM/Sonemic".
- ↑ https://www.naxos.com/MainSite/BlurbsReviews/?itemcode=8.120604&catnum=120604&filetype=AboutThisRecording&language=English
- ↑ "Eddie Gross-Bart & His Ambassador Club Band". Discogs.
- ↑ "Eddie Gross-Bart & His Café Anglais Band". Discogs.
- ↑ "Eddie Gross-Bart and His Cafe de Paris Band". Discogs.
- ↑ "GALA!".
- ↑ "Murray's Club".
- ↑ "Vol.1 No.6 May 1950 - National Jazz Archive".
- ↑ "Challenge Records International BV".
- ↑ "Edward Grossbart (Unknown-1985) - Find a Grave". Find a Grave.
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