FS91: Archie Lewis to Layton & Johnstone and Josh White

In episode 91 we look at black artists who came to Britain from the 1920s to 1950s. Well the exception is Joe Deniz who was born in Cardiff. We start with Leslie(Hutch) Hutchinson. Born in Grenada in 1900 he arrived in England in the late 20s, via a stint in the U.S. He rapidly become the darling of high society with a refined, well mannered voice and piano. He made many records and appearence through the 1930s and 40s. His personal life was, well lets' say, lively. He had seven children by six different women and had affairs with Cole Porter, Ivor Novella, Tallulah Bankhead and Edwina Mountbatten. Amongst others.  By the 1950s his career had faded away and he died in London in 1969. Turner Layton and Tandy Johnstone were both born in the USA and met in New York. Their musical partnership found almost immediately success. Like Hutch they were adored by high society. They came to England in 1924 and their popularity grew. They are reckoned to have sold over 10 million records between 1924 and 1935. They appeared on the BBC and all over Europe. Their partnership was dissolved in 1935 when Tandy Johnstone was involved in a highly public divorce case. He eventually returned to the US, having married Raymonde Sandler, the subject of the divorce. He died in 1953. Layton stayed in Britain and had a successful solo career. He died in 1978. Archie Lewis was born in Jamaica in 1918 and came to Britain in 1942 to work in a munitions factory. He already had the a singing career in Jamaica and was soon working for ENSA in Britain. Here he met band leader Geraldo and he become one of his vocalists. He was very popular live and on record. His 1946 recording of While the Angulis were ringing sold over a million copies. He eventually returned to Jamaica, still performing live and on record. He died in 1988. I feel he really is a forgotten man in British poular music and an important part of the history of black artists on British entertainment. See a brief clip of him here: https://youtu.be/Is4WFhhJARg

All these four artists were very much in the style of white vocalist of the time. In Hutch, Layton and Johnstone I'm thinking of Noel Coward. Archie Lewis was known as The Caribbean Crosby. Our only female artist here is Winifred Atwell. Trinidad born pianist. There really is nothing elite about her. She went straight for the popular and her Let's party records were No1 sellers. I prefer her boogie woogie. No need to tell you that much about Paul Robson and Josh White. Both men spent time, almost in exile in Britain, from their native US because of their political beliefs. We've played Carl Barriteau before. He emerged from Ken Snakehips Johnson's West Indian band and had a successful solo career. Joe Deniz was born in Wales, in the Tiger Bay docks area of Cardiff. He was one of three professional guitar playing brothers and was, of course, a main stay of Harry Parry's band. All these artist were pioneers in breaking down race barriers in British entertainment. Their work is mostly forgotten now or certainly under valued.

Playlist: Hutch- The London I love, For all I care. Layton and Johnstone- Just an echo in the valley. Turner Layton- Question and Answer. Archie Lewis- In the land of begining again, The mission of the rose. Paul Robeson- Water Boy. Josh White- Hard time Blues. Winifred Atwell- Let's party part 1, Highland Boogie. Carl Barriteau( vocals Mae Cooper)- Primrose Hill, I'll get by(as long as I have you.) Harry Parry and his Radio Rhythm Club Sextet- Champagne. Joe Deniz on guitar.