The Savoy Orpheans

In 1923, the immense popularity of the house band at London's Savoy Hotel, Bert Ralton's Havana Band, prompted the hotel's management to hire a second band. This took place while Ralton was leading a version of the band on a tour of Australia leaving the London band under the leadership of Reginald Batten. The new unit was named the Savoy Orpheans and was led by Debroy Somers. Now, both the Savoy Havana Band and the Savoy Orpheans were feature attractions at the hotel. Early sidemen included Rudy Vallee, who had moved over from Ralton's band, Billy Thorburn and Carroll Gibbons...