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.
Darktown Strutters Ball
Geraldo & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
I mean don't be late
Be there when the band starts playin'
Remember when you get there honey
Dance all over the floor
Dance all over my shoes
Set 'em all alight
At the darktown strutters ball
I'll be down to get you in a push cart honey
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
I mean don't be late
Be there when the band starts playin'
'Member when you get there honey
Shim sham wins them all
Dance all over my shoes
When the band plays the Jelly Roll's blues
Set 'em all alight
At the darktown strutters ball
In the opening lyrics of Geraldo & His Orchestra's song "Darktown Strutters Ball," the singer is making plans to pick up their partner in a taxi at around half past eight for an event or gathering. The urgency in the tone suggests a sense of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming occasion. The mention of being ready and not being late implies a commitment to being punctual and ensuring a smooth start to the evening's festivities. The reference to being there when the band starts playing sets the scene for a lively and music-filled event.
As the song continues, the lyrics shift to describing the atmosphere at the Darktown Strutters Ball. The singer instructs their partner to dance all over the floor and even on their shoes, emphasizing the exuberant and carefree spirit of the event. The mention of the band playing the "Jelly Roll blues" hints at a traditional jazz or blues sound that is likely to get everyone on their feet and moving to the music. The imagery of setting things "all alight" suggests a sense of excitement and energy that permeates the gathering.
In the subsequent verse, the singer mentions using a push cart to pick up their partner, perhaps indicating a more casual or unconventional mode of transportation for the occasion. The repetition of the instruction to be ready around half past eight and not be late underscores the importance of timeliness and being prepared for the event. The reference to being there when the band starts playing reiterates the centrality of music and dancing to the experience of the Darktown Strutters Ball.
The lyrics then shift to describing the dancing and music at the event, with the singer encouraging their partner to participate in the "Shim sham wins them all" dance. The repeated instruction to dance all over the singer's shoes reflects a playful and relaxed attitude towards enjoying the moment and letting loose on the dance floor. The mention of the band playing the Jelly Roll's blues once again highlights the infectious and invigorating nature of the music at the Darktown Strutters Ball, setting the stage for a vibrant and memorable night of celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be down to get you in a taxi honey
I will come to pick you up in a taxi, my dear
Better be ready 'bout half past eight
Make sure you are prepared by around 8:30
I mean don't be late
Do not arrive after the designated time
Be there when the band starts playin'
Arrive at the venue before the band begins performing
Remember when you get there honey
Keep in mind when you arrive, my dear
Dance all over the floor
Enjoy dancing throughout the venue
Dance all over my shoes
Step on my shoes while dancing
When the band plays the Jelly Roll blues
During the performance of the Jelly Roll blues by the band
Set 'em all alight
Ignite the atmosphere and have a great time
At the darktown strutters ball
At the lively event known as the Darktown Strutters Ball
I'll be down to get you in a push cart honey
I will come to fetch you in a push cart, my dear
'Member when you get there honey
Remember when you arrive, my dear
Shim sham wins them all
A dance move that wins admiration from all
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shelton Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind