Allan Singleton-Wood

Allan Singleton-Wood (born February 13, 1933) is a Canadian former professional pianist and music director of the BBC Welsh Dance Orchestra, the featured orchestra on the BBC national television series "Swing High." In 1965, he started a second career in publishing, eventually becoming publisher of a number of Canadian national newspapers and magazines, including the Financial Post, Canadian Business, and Small Business.

Singleton-Wood was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He attended St. Julian's High School, where he graduated with a London University Matriculation. He studied law at London University but discontinued an LLB degree to become a professional musician.

Singleton-Wood, who used the stage name Allan Wood, was a professional pianist, bandleader, and composer when, in 1960, he was named music director of the BBC Welsh Dance Orchestra, broadcasting on the BBC Radio Wales series "Swing For Your Supper" and then on the national BBC TV series “Swing High.” This was the last big band series ever to appear on BBC TV. Singleton-Wood also composed songs for the orchestra, including its signature tune, “Swing High.”

As Music Director of the BBC Welsh Dance Orchestra, Singleton-Wood gave The Springfields vocal group featuring Dusty Springfield its first radio broadcast in Wales.

In 1963, he was pianist for Shirley Bassey with the Ken Mackintosh Orchestra in a tour of Scotland.

In 1968, Singleton-Wood moved to Canada and joined Moxie Whitney’s orchestra at the Imperial Room at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. On Whitney’s retirement in 1971, Singleton-Wood took over the contract for the provision of music at the Hotel including the Black Knight and Imperial Rooms. The Allan Singleton-Wood Orchestra, meanwhile, became one of the best-known dance orchestras in Canada.

...
Wikipedia