Bright adopted the name "Geraldo" in 1930 to become one of the most popular dance-band leaders of the 1930s with his "sweet music" and his "Gaucho Tango Orchestra". During the 1940s, he modernized his style to continue enjoying great success.
Biography
He played piano and organ and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He started his career as a pianist playing for silent films.
Geraldo became a major figure on the British entertainment scene for four decades, having fronted just about every kind of ensemble and influenced the successful careers of numerous top singers. For his broadcasts he varied the style of his orchestra quite considerably, and a particular series Tip Top Tunes (employing a full string section alongside the usual dance band) enjoyed great popularity. Several commercial recordings were made, spotlighting the considerable arranging talents of the young Angela Morley.
Over the years, most of the UK's top musicians played with Geraldo's orchestra, including Ted Heath, who played first trombone in the orchestra before leaving to form his own band and the guitarist Ken Sykora, later to become a respected radio personality.
In the 1950s he composed the start-up music for Scottish Television. Entitled Scotlandia, it was heard virtually every day for over thirty years at the beginning of programmes.
Geraldo died from a heart attack while on holiday in Switzerland in 1974. In 1993 a new Geraldo Orchestra, directed by trombonist Chris Dean, toured the UK provinces.
Geraldo's Navy
After World War II, Geraldo also ran an agency from his offices at 73 New Bond Street in London. In addition to booking bands for theatres and hotels, he placed musicians on transatlantic and cruise liners - in the music business this was known as "Geraldo's Navy".
From the mid-1930s for a period of some twenty years, American musicians were banned from performing in the UK by the British Musicians Union. The ban was in retaliation for a similar restriction in the USA which prevented British musicians from working in the States. It was especially frustrating for post-war British jazzmen who wanted to see and hear their American idols. However, one way for them to cross the Atlantic was to join the dance bands of Cunard liners such as the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Mauritania and the QE2, or Canadian Pacific vessels like the Empress of England and the Empress of Canada. The Cunarders were especially popular because when they had docked in New York, the musicians would have one or two nights free to visit jazz venues like Birdland on Broadway, just north of West 52nd Street in Manhattan, or clubs in Greenwich Village. Some even arranged to take lessons with American stars during their shore leave: for example, Bruce Turner took saxophone lessons with Lee Konitz.
In the public rooms of the liners, the musicians were required to play strict tempo dance music, but they would sometimes slip in the odd jazz number – especially if there was a chance that a celebrity passenger might sit in. Duke Ellington is known to have played piano with the ship’s dance band when he crossed from New York to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary in the late 1950s.
Many well-known figures in British post-war jazz "served" in Geraldo's musical navy: John Dankworth, Benny Green, Bill Le Sage, Ronnie Scott and Stan Tracey, to name but a few.
The Geraldo Orchestra from 1940 to 1947:
Gerald Bright (Geraldo), Conductor
Sid Bright (twin brother of Gerald), Piano
Jack Collier, Bass
Maurice Berman, Drums
Ivor Mairants, Guitar
Alfie Noakes, Basil Jones, Flash Shields, Leslie Hutchinson, Trumpets
Ted Heath, Eric Tann, Joe Ferrie, Jimmy Coombes, Trombones
Harry Hayes (Chipper), Nat Temple, Dougie Robinson, George Evans, Arthur Birkby, Phil Goody, Saxes
Dorothy Carless, Doreen Villiers, Len Camber, Beryl Davies, J. Hunter, Johnny Green, Vocals.
Around The World
Geraldo & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
The lyrics of Geraldo & His Orchestra's song "Around The World" are repetitive and minimalistic, consisting solely of the phrase "Around the world" repeated throughout the entire song. This repetitive nature creates a hypnotic and trance-like effect, emphasizing the theme of the song, which is the idea of going around the world. The repetition of the phrase symbolizes the continuous movement and desire to explore various places and cultures.
The song's simplicity in both its lyrics and melody captures the universal longing for adventure and exploration. It speaks to the human desire to escape the confines of everyday life and venture into the unknown. The phrase "Around the world" suggests a sense of wanderlust, as if the singer is yearning to travel and experience the diversity that the world has to offer.
Furthermore, the repetition of the phrase can be interpreted as a reflection on the interconnectedness of humanity. Despite our different backgrounds and cultures, the desire to explore and connect with others is something that spans across borders and unites us as human beings.
Overall, "Around The World" by Geraldo & His Orchestra is a simple yet powerful song that encapsulates the universal yearning for adventure, exploration, and connection with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Around the world, around the world
No matter where you go, no matter where you are
Around the world, around the world
Every corner, every region of the globe
Around the world, around the world
Traveling through different cultures and lands
Around the world, around the world
Exploring the diversity and beauty of our planet
Around the world, around the world
Embracing the global community
Around the world, around the world
Experiencing the wonders and marvels of different nations
Around the world, around the world
Connecting with people from all walks of life
Around the world, around the world
A never-ending journey of discovery
Around the world, around the world
Uniting people through the universal language of music
Around the world, around the world
Celebrating the richness and diversity of world cultures
Around the world, around the world
Seeking adventure and new experiences
Around the world, around the world
Embracing the vastness and variety of our planet
Around the world, around the world
An anthem for global unity
Around the world, around the world
Embodying the spirit of exploration
Around the world, around the world
Inviting us all to join the journey
Around the world, around the world
Together, we can experience it all
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel Homem-Christo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mr dekco
So soft and gentle. Great backing vocals and alto sax
Cari Vuong
I love this song and would appreciate if you could tell me which album this is from. All the other versions have the crackling and distortion cheers!
barry mccanna
Al Bowlly is depicted at the start, but the guitarist was Oscar Mairants. To compound the felony, this was recorded in July 1943, and Al died in 1941.
george hiull
if anyone knew it was Al Bowlly would also know it was not him playing,just enjoy the track and the period photos.
barb
Doreen was my Mother. We are cousins. Your father Bernie & your mother Dae kept in touch before they passed. I’ve saved those letters & pics they sent me. Hope we can keep in touch!
Paul Villars
Hi, I'm Bernie and Dae's son Paul. Who have you been talking to that you think is your cousin?
Paul Villars
Hello Barb, we are indeed cousins. Tim has been in touch with me and cleared up the confusion and I'm sorry that I didn't understand straight away. Hope you are well and it would be nice to hear from you. Best regards. Paul.
Lynn Karl
@Paul Villars Hi Paul. This is Kandy. My brother, Tim, called me tonight to tell me he had connected with you. I am so excited to contact you and reconnect. I did try to find out who the Netsy person is but…no luck. Hope to hear from you. Love Kandy.
Paul Villars
@Lynn Karl Hi Kandy, I have messaged you and Tim but no reply so I don't know if you are getting them. It would be lovely to hear from you and I hope you will reply soon. Love Paul.
NETSY296
The so soft and gentle voice commented on is that of my auntie Doreen, my father's sister, and the images in this are NOT what she was about .