Oscar Rabin Band

The Oscar Rabin Band was one of the most successful Jazz and British dance bands of the 1950s. Band leader Oscar Rabin played bass saxophone, an unusual instrument then as now. His friend Harry Davis, tall, elegant and good-looking, acted as compère and conductor.

Oscar Rabin formed his first band with Harry Davis, The Romany Five, in 1922. They could be seen in those days at the Palais de Dance in Derby, England. Rabin played violin but over the next decade he formed a full size dance band in which he began to play the bass saxophone The band was expanded during the 1930s. At this time, the character actor Sam Kydd began his career as the band's M.C. By the time of World War II, they had become one of the most widely known of British dance bands, touring throughout the country.

Oscar, short and fat, never did front his own band, nor was he regarded as anything more than a workaday musician. His role was to run the business side of the band. His partner Harry, who occasionally played guitar, was very good with audiences. (Harry's daughter Beryl Davis became a professional singer, and moved to the USA.) However, the combination of the two men was a successful one and audiences took to them. Ex-band member Roy Bull has recalled: "My memories of the Oscar Rabin days are all very pleasant ones, as Oscar himself was one of the most kind people I have ever met, and certainly the best band leader for whom I ever worked."

The band always maintained a high standard, with a particularly strong saxophone section. A few good key players stayed with them for a long time. People such as: Ken Mackintosh (Alto Sax); Bobby Benstead (Trumpet); Ken Wray (Trombone); Eric Jupp (Piano / Arranger); Kenny Clare (Drums); Cecil Pressling (Alto Sax). Band numbers were generally around 15, with 2 or 3 vocalists, mostly made up of constantly changing journeymen musicians.

However, occasionally better known instrumentalists joined the band, such as Don Rendell (Tenor Sax); Jimmy Deuchar (Trumpet); & Arthur Greenslade (piano / arranger). Trombonist Ken Wray would later play with Ronnie Scott's Big Band. Vocalists over the years included Dennis Hale (who died in a car accident in South Africa after touring there with Jack Parnell's band; Marjorie Daw (who married the band's drummer, Kenny Clare); Bernard Manning; Marion Davis, who, as Marion Keene, had a successful television and show business career; Mel Gaynor; Pattie Forbes; & Johnny Worth, who became a successful songwriter under the name Les Vandyke;

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