HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Geraldo Bright

Birth of Jazz: Geraldo Bright

Geraldo Bright

Born in London, on 10 August of 1904, Jewish pianist, Geraldo Bright (originally Gerald Bright) was better known as simply Geraldo ("G" pronounced like "J"). Like Lombardo and Whiteman in the United States, Geraldo was a sweet dance band leader, that is, of a music more to the popular than jazz flavor and an orchestra modeled to the hotel as its most common venue during Bright's period. His twin brother, Sid, was also a pianist who later performed with Geraldo's orchestra.

Bright ran away from home at age 16 (1920), boarding the HMS Cameronia as a member of its orchestra and sailing to New York City. Upon the return cruise he led a series of small bands until 1925 when he formed an orchestra taking residency at the Hotel Majestic in St. Anne's on the Sea for several years. After a brief tour of Latin America he formed the Gaucho Tango Orchestra in 1930, switching his name from Gerald to Geraldo as well. His twin brother, Sidney, isn't mentioned in any of these early adventures. Geraldo released records with his Gaucho Tango or Tango Orchestra into 1936. The tango developed in Argentina has long been the major style in ballroom dancing south of the equator. Geraldo issued as Geraldo and His Rumba Orchestra from 1935-36, Geraldo and His Sweet Music in 1935, then Geraldo and His Orchestra in 1936. From 1939 into 1941 he issued as the Savoy Hotel Orchestra.

The most complete sessionography for Geraldo's Gaucho Tango Orchestra is referenced below at the website of Michael Thomas on which he has four titles by that band going down as early as 3 March of 1931: 'I'll Keep You in My Heart Always (Adios Muchachos)' with 'Wonder Bar - Tell Me I'm Forgiven' issued on Columbia CB 280, and 'El Relicario' with 'La Violetera' released on Columbia CB 287. Those were followed the same year by 'Two Tears' with 'O Cara Mia' on Columbia CB 302, and 'Aromas Mendocinas' with 'Oh! Rosalita' on Columbia CB 313 as well as others. The most complete sessionographies for Geraldo and His Orchestra or other operations are referenced below per Henry König from 1935-37 on Columbia and 1943-55 on Parlophone. I've not found a sessionography for the years 1938-42.

'I'll Keep You in My Heart Always' Geraldo and his Gaucho Tango Orchestra

Recorded 3 March 1931 in London Matrix WA11280 Columbia CB 280

Composition: Vudiano / Sanders

'El Relicario' Geraldo and his Gaucho Tango Orchestra

Recorded 3 March 1931 in London Matrix WA11282 Columbia CB 247

Composition: José Padilla

'Caminito' Geraldo and his Gaucho Tango Orchestra

From the film 'Geraldo's Gauchos Tango Orchestra'

Released by British Pathé on Pathetone PT 056 on 20 April 1931

Music: Juan de Dios Filiberto Lyrics: Gabino Coria Peñaloza

'Jealousy' Geraldo and his Gaucho Tango Orchestra

Recorded 20 Jan 1932 in London Columbia CB 417

Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Lorenz Hart C 1926

'Carioca' Rumba by Geraldo and his Gaucho Tango Orchestra

Recorded 15 June 1934 in London Columbia CB 769

Music: Vincent Youmans 1933 Lyrics: Edward Eliscu / Gus Kahn

'One Morning In May' Geraldo and his Orchestra

From the film 'Geraldo and his Sweet Music'

Piano: Sid Bright Vocal: Cyril Grantham (sax)

Released by British Pathé on Pathetone PT 216 on 14 May 1934

Music: Hoagy Carmichael Lyrics: Mitchell Parish 1933

'Follow the Fleet - Selection' Geraldo and his Orchestra

Decca K.818 1936

Music: Irving Berlin 1936

'September in the Rain' Geraldo and his Orchestra backing Cyril Grantham

Matrix TB.3094 Decca F. 6411 1937

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin 1937

Ted Heath and his trombone joined Bright's orchestra in 1940, remaining a few brief years before starting his own band which first engagements were in 1944.

'You Never Knew' Geraldo and his Orchestra backing Len Camber

From the film 'We'll Meet Again' directed by Philip Brandon Released 18 Jan 1943

Partial personnel:

Reeds: Nat Temple / Harry Hayes / Georg Evans / Rex Owen

Vocals: Georg Evans / Beryl Davis / Doreen Villiers / Georgina

IMDb Wikipedia

After World War II Bright added booking musicians with cruise liners to his musical pursuits in an enterprise called Geraldo's Navy. Between 1958 and 1961 he issued three volumes of 'Dance Dance Dance'. Come 'Cruise Along - Dance Along to the Music of Geraldo' in 1962. Discogs has him releasing 'Sweet & Swinging Hits' as late as 1968.