Great Art Deco Ball 2023 – Photos

Greg Poppleton returned by popular demand to the Great Art Deco Ball – celebrating 13 years, 4th February 2023 – in the timeless elegance of Katoomba’s wedding cake Carrington Hotel

Dinner, dancing and a dazzling entertainment ‘1920’s style’.

Greg Poppleton, Australia’s only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer, brings the ‘twenties’ to life with vintage glamour. With Greg in his band were Geoff Power (trumpet & sousaphone), Bradley Newman (grand piano) and Adam Barnard (washboard & snare).

A full fouse stepped out in fashion and danced the night away, a sumptuous 3-course dinner, and prize for best dressed. (won by Mary Grace).

I’ll be back with the band singing the songs of the 1920s at next year’s Great Art Deco Ball, Saturday 3 February 7 – 11pm.Tickets include a 3 course dinner, 3 hour beverage package and live entertainment by by Australia’s only authentic 1920s-30s singer, Greg Poppleton.

Contact reception on 4782 1111 or carrington@thecarrington.com.au to reserve your seat today!
Carrington’s Art Deco Ball booking website

Accommodation packages available for the weekend!

Dancing to Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters

CARRINGTON HOTEL

The Carrington Hotel is a heritage-listed former spa, hotel and power station and now hotel and public bar located at Katoomba Street, Katoomba in the City of Blue Mountains local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Kirkpatrick and Bosser in 1882; and by Edward H. Hogben with Goyder Brothers in 1911-13; and built from 1882 to 1913 by F. Drewett in 1882; and by Howie, Brown and Moffit in 1912-13. It is also known as Great Western Hotel. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The Carrington is the only 19th century grand resort hotel still in use in New South Wales. It also retains much of the fabric of its major phases of development and continues to occupy the commanding position in Katoomba that it has done since its construction. It was built in 1883 by Harry George Rowell, a large hotel owner from Sydney, and was owned by a series of prominent families over the next century. Today it is still operating as a high class hotel providing accommodation and restaurant services.

WHERE GREG POPPLETON WILL BE PLAYING

From 1885 Carrington began to make additions to the premises including an additional wing, dining hall, two drawing rooms and a music room, resulting in 119 bedrooms and seven suites of rooms, two tennis courts and flower and vegetable gardens.. He told a newspaper reporter in 1890 of the improvements he had made. The article read,

“Among the additions and improvements to the building are the following — a wing built (in 1886) of cut stone, and having a southerly aspect, consisting of 20 single rooms, and called ‘the bachelors’ wing.’ Early in 1888 Mr. Goyder, having taken advantage of his right, purchased the hotel, and, finding the accommodation insufficient, added 50 more rooms. This addition stands in the courtyard and is joined to the main building. It is higher than the remaining portions of the hotel and adds to the imposing appearance of the pile. A music-room has also been added to the drawing room, and is separated from it by large folding doors. The floor of the music room is of polished tallow-wood, and is partly covered with Austrian rugs, which are easily removed for dancing. The piano is a Brinsmead, and is considered one of the finest grands; its tone is full and soft. The dining hall is also new; it measures 60ft, by 40ft. The floor is carpeted, and everything conducive to comfort is present. The ceiling is lofty, the lighting good, and the table decorations and menu leave nothing to be desired. This hall is capable of seating 200 guests. There are now 135 rooms in the hotel, among which are seven suites of private apartments, most comfortably furnished and conveniently situated, including one of the prettiest bridal suites to be found in the colonies.”

One Red Rose

A fresh Greg Poppleton Jazz Deco band line-up played today at Sydney’s Edwardian Central Station Concourse for the annual Transport Heritage Expo.

Did you see the Transport Heritage Expo story on Saturday’s evening news?
https://www.facebook.com/7newssydney/videos/2151746698182785/

With Greg Poppleton, authentic 1920s-1930s singer was,
– Damon Poppleton alto sax
– Paul Baker banjo
– Dave Clayton double bass.

A woman rushed up to my megaphone and placed a long-stemmed red rose in it while we were playing.

Damon Poppleton holding the red rose the band was given.

We’re at the Transport Heritage Expo Monday 11 June, too. Playing from 10am – 2pm with sousaphone doubling trumpet, guitar doubling banjo and washboard doubling snare.

Here’s some more photos from today. Though there must be thousands more out in the wide blue internet from all the clicks and film taken today.

Book Greg and the band: gregpoppletonmusic/contact

Greg Poppleton, authentic 1920s-30s singer with his 1920s microphone and the wonderful audience.

 

Dave Clayton – double bass with Greg Poppleton‘s Jazz Deco band

 

The Greg Poppleton band playing jazz and swing from the 1920s – 1930s. Damon Poppleton alto sax, Paul Baker banjo, Dave Clayton double bass.

Book Greg and the band: gregpoppletonmusic/contact

We Put On A ‘Helluva’ Show. And I Met Mrs Sparkle.

What do you do?

The venue you’re playing at has been undercut by not one, but two, nearby venues.

Audience numbers are down.

What do you do?

Well, if you’re Greg Poppleton at Mosman Bowling Club today, you put on a ‘helluva’ show for the club and the beautiful people who came to see and hear us.

Greg Poppleton Jazz Deco singer channeling the spirits of the 1920s and 1930s

You put on an intimate show – singing to each of the 40 guests individually -from the stage and table by table.

You bring people together and get the audience singing.

You tell personal stories, weave in an amazing anecdote about a song or two or three, and you sing a request or two that brings a tear to the eyes of the requesters.

Greg Poppleton and an over the shoulder shot of some of the audience at Sunday Jazz in Mosman Bowling Club

And you have a swinging band:

Greg Poppleton – 1920s-30s vocals
Grahame Conlon – banjo and guitar
Dave Clayton – double bass
Adam Barnard – drums and washboard

The Greg Poppleton swing rhythm section. Adam Barnard drums and washboard, Dave Clayton double bass, and Grahame Conlon guitar and banjo

In short, you create a ‘helluva’ show with great musicians that makes everyone happy. In fact, everybody left today with a smile and a desire to come back for more. Many left clutching a Greg Poppleton CD sold to them by Bev Evans. A CHILDHOOD HERO.

Having a special occasion? GREG POPPLETON MAKES JAZZ DECO POP!

The Copasetic 1920s – 1930s Jazz Singer and Band are absolutely the Bee’s Knees. 1.17 Million Total YouTube views. We’ll make your special occasion sparkle, too.  Enquire now.

Mosman Bowling Club presents a different top notch jazz band for your enjoyment on the first Sunday of every month, 2 – 4:30pm. And they welcome new players and members, too. Get in touch.

A guest photo. Greg Poppleton and Dave Clayton . double bass singing, ‘Yes, We Have No Bananas’.

MRS SPARKLE
Bev Evans was Mrs Sparkle in the Mr Sheen ads. Her talent made the ads hugely successful. As a result, she became Australia’s leading hand and placement model.

I used to watch Mrs Sparkle on TV as a very little kid and marvel at how natural she was while being incredibly precise in her movements. I’ve been in 60 TV commercials myself and looking natural while being ‘big’ as a TVC requires is a rare skill.

And I loved the music. Little did I know then that the song was ‘Mr Gallagher and Mr Sheen’, written in 1922. No, I’m not a ‘make-a-quick-buck-off-the-Great-Gatsby-movie’ blow-in. I’ve loved the music of the 1920s and 1930s eversince I first saw Louis Armstrong on TV when I was three years old.

Here’s  Mrs Sparkle selling Mr Sheen on 1960s TV

6 March Phantom Dancer – Hans Albers, The German John Wayne and a Clown Called Quick.

The Phantom Dancer is presented by authentic 1920s – 30s singer, Greg Poppleton..

The Phantom Dancer, goes to the movies this week. In one of the vinyl sets in the last hour, you’ll hear movie songs hits by 1930s-40s German film star, Hans Albers. (You’ll also hear sets of Raymond Scott, Louis Armstrong and Woody Herman from live 1940s radio)

Hear the mix after the 27 Feb broadcast at radio 2ser.com

Why Hans Albers?

I am in the process of memorising the German lyrics for ‘La Paloma’. La Paloma is probably the most recorded Spanish song in history. It has become a quasi-folk song in many cultures. Written by Sebastián Yradier as a contradanza (the progenitor of danzon, mambo and cha cha cha), it was published in Madrid in 1859 as a ‘Cancion Americana con acompañamiento de Piano’.

The lyrics I’m learning are those sung by Hans Albers in the 1943 film ‘Grosse Freiheit Nr 7’. This is one of three films in the Nazi era that celebrated the individual rather than fascist corporatist ideas.

Also in this week’s Phantom Dancer we’ll hear a set of swing from live 1936 radio. Other sets are dedicated to 1940s dance orchestras and there’s two sets of music radio from the 1950s.

 

HANS PHILIPP AUGUST ALBERS…

…was one of the most popular German actors, and singers, of the twentieth century.

He was an actor in theatre and in more than a hundred silent films.

He then starred in the first German talkie Die Nacht gehört uns (The Night is Ours) in 1929. He was the big-mouthed strong man Mazeppa alongside Marlene Dietrich in her star-making film Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) in 1930.

Albers himself hit stardom that same year in the movie, The Copper.

In 1932 he starred in my favourite Albers film, ‘Quick’ in which he plays two roles, one being an English vaudeville clown, speaking German in an English accent.

Many of Albers’ movie songs became huge hits. We’ll hear four of them today on The Phantom Dancer, including ‘Gnaedige Frau komm’ und spiel’ mid mir’ from ‘Quick’. In the film he sings the song after sliding down a giant banjo on a theatre stage, then flying around the theatre until he lands on one of the balconies to serenade his lady love.

Although Albers became Germany’s most popular actor under the Nazi regime, he never supported the Nazis. He instead supported his Jewish girlfriend Hansi Berg. She left for Switzerland, then England in 1939, with Hans Albers continuing to financially support her until they reunited after the war. They stayed together until his death.

Nevertheless, he continued to star in major films during the war in ‘hero’ roles. After 1945, when the occupation powers didn’t want German heroes in German films, he was typecast in wise-aged-man roles.

He remained active in film and theatre until three months before his death due to alcohol related disease in 1960.

TWO PHANTOM DANCER VIDEOS OF THE WEEK!

Your Phantom Dancer ‘Video of the Week’ #1 shows Hans Albers as the singing hero in living Agfacolour.

It’s the song, La Paloma, from the 1943 movie, Grosse Freiheit Nr7. Enjoy…

Your Phantom Dancer ‘Video of the Week’ #2 shows Hans Albers as vaudeville clown, Quick.

It’s the song, La Paloma, from the 1943 movie, Grosse Freiheit Nr7. Enjoy…

Play List – The Phantom Dancer 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney, Live Stream, Digital Radio Community Radio Network Show CRN #306 107.3 2SER Tuesday 6 March 2018 After the 2SER 12 noon news, 12:04 – 2:00pm (+11 hours GMT) National Program: ArtSoundFM Canberra Sunday 7 – 8pm and early morning on 22 other stations. Set 1 Woody Herman Orchestra and Vocals on 1940s Radio Blue Flame (Theme) + I’m Going To See My Baby Woody Herman Orchestra (voc) WH ‘One Night Stand’ Empire Room Rice Hotel Houston 1955 There, I Said It Again Woody Herman Orchestra (voc) WH Cafe Rouge Hotel Pennsylvania WABC CBS NY 21 Jul 1945 I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues + Blue Flame (theme) Woody Herman Orchestra (voc) WH Cafe Rouge Hotel Pennsylvania WABC CBS NY 21 Aug 1944 Set 2 Club Hangover Relaxin’ At The Trouro (Theme) + Sensation Rag Muggsy Spanier Club Hangover KCBS San Francisco 20 Nov 1954 Riverside Blues Muggsy Spanier Club Hangover KCBS San Francisco 20 Nov 1954 Royal Garden Blues + I’ve Got A Right To Sing The Blues (theme) Jack Teagarden Club Hangover KCBS San Francisco 17 Apr 1954 Set 3 Dance Bands on 1940s Radio Theme + Octave Jump Bob Chester Orchestra ’One Night Stand’ College Inn Hotel Sherman, Chicago AFRS Re-broadcast 8 Oct 1944 Personality + I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (theme) Sy Oliver Orchestra (voc) Buddy Moreno ’Endorsed By Dorsey’ WOR Mutual NY 3 Mar 1946 With My Head In The Clouds + Lady Be Good Glenn Miller AAF Orchestra (voc) Johnny Desmond and the Modernaires ’Uncle Sam Presents’ WEAF NBC NY 12 Feb 1944 Set 4 Frank Sinatra on Your Hit Parade 1943-44 I’ve Heard That Song Before Frank Sinatra ‘Your Hit Parade’ (Dress Rehearsal) WEAF NBC NY 27 Feb 1943 I’ll Be Seeing You Frank Sinatra ‘Your Hit Parade’ WEAF NBC NY 26 Aug 1944 I Love You + Theme Frank Sinatra ‘Your Hit Parade’ WEAF NBC NY 6 May 1944 Set 5 Hans Albers 1930s movie Hits Hoppla, jets komm’ ich Hans Albers Movie: ‘Der Sieger’ 1932 La Paloma Hans Albers Movie: Grosse Freiheit Nr7, 1943 Gnaedige Frau, komm’ und spiel’ mit mir Hans Albers Movie: ‘Quick’, 1932 Goodbye Jonny Hans Albers Movie: Wasser fuer Canitoga 1939 Set 6 Raymond Scott on the Air I’ll Be Around Raymond Scott Orchestra Radio Transcription New York City 1944 Blues Theme Raymond Scott ‘The Captivators’ WABC CBS NY 10 Jan 1943 In A Magic Garden Raymond Scott Orchestra Rose Room Palace Hotel KQW CBS San Francisco Apr 1944 Four Beat Shuffle + Pretty Little Petticoat (theme) Raymond Scott Orchestra Panther Room Hotel Sherman WMAQ NBC Red Chicago 1940 Set 7 Hit Of The Week Cardboard Records You Bought a New Kind of Love to Me Don Vorhees Orchestra (tp either Red Nichols or Bob Effros)(voc) Dick Robertson ‘Hit of the Week’ Record New York City Aug 1930 Cheer Up – Ballyhoo Phil Spitalny Music (voc) Eddie Cantor (v) Joe Venuti (tp) Bob Effros ‘Hit of the Week’ Record New York City Oct 1931 I’ll Be Blue Hit of the Week Orchestra (tp) Manny Klein (voc) Dick Robertson ‘Hit of the Week’ Record New York City Nov 1930 Reaching For The Moon Sam Lanin Orchestra (voc) Scrappy Lambert ‘Hit of the Week’ Record New York City Mar 1931 Set 8 Louis Armstrong On 1943-44 Radio Brother Bill Louis Armstrong Orchestra (voc) LA ‘Spotlight Bands’ Geiger Field Blue Network 1943 If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) Louis Armstrong Orchestra (voc) LA ‘Jubilee’ AFRS Hollywood 1943 Lazy River Louis Armstrong Orchestra (voc) LA ‘Spotlight Bands’ Dallas TX Blue Network 17 Aug 1943 It Had To Be You + Close Louis Armstrong Orchestra (voc) LA ‘Spotlight Bands’ Tuskagee, Alabama Blue Network 5 Oct 1944

13 February Phantom Dancer – Pioneer African-American Singer And Stand-up

Pioneer African-American stand-up comedian, Timmie Rogers, is the focus of this week’s, The Phantom Dancer.

The Phantom Dancer is your non-stop two hour mix of swing and jazz from live 1920s – 1960s radio and TV.

It’s been presented by 1920s-1930s singer and band leader, Greg Poppleton, since 1985.

Hear this show online for the next 4 weeks after the 13 Feb broadcast at radio 2ser.com

On this week’s Phantom Dancer we hear the stars of jazz on Eddie Condon’s 1948 TV ‘Floorshow’. There’s a set of Benny Goodman from 1934-36 radio. And we visit ‘The Supper Club’, an NBC radio show, in 1944-45. The Birdland audience sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Billy Eckstine live on 1953 radio.

Plus, as mentioned, we hear Timmie Rogers, in live 1945-49 radio appearances. And there’s a bonus live Nat King Cole treatment of a Timmie Rogers song, broadcast from The Trocadero in Hollywood in 1945.

 

TIMMIE ROGERS

US comedian, band leader, singer, composer and actor, Timmie Rogers, was one of the first black comedians who directly addressed a white audience when he worked.

Before Rogers, African-American comedians had to either work in pairs or groups, talking only to each other while playing characters – think Mr Gallagher  and Mr Sheen.

In fact, Timmie Rogers began in vaudeville in 1932 with a partner, Freddie, doing a dance act.

 

STAND-UP PIONEER

He went his own way in 1944 and was an immediate success on radio. Today’s Phantom Dancer features some of Timmie Rogers early radio solo work.

Rogers had been dancing since age 8. He ran away from home at 12 working as a dishwasher. He learnt the languages he heard in the kitchens. He eventually could speak nine languages. He sang in French and German.

While working cleaning ashtrays in a ballroom, absorbed which what was happening on stage, he was invited to dance between acts. That was the beginning of his career in entertainment. First he was a dancer and singer. Then his main focus became stand-up, specialising in the topical and political.

FIRST TV SHOW 1949

In 1949, Rogers starred in the first black prime-time show on US TV (CBS), Uptown Jubilee.

 

OH, YEAH!

Rogers was known as the Unknown Pioneer of (Black) Comedy. His catchphrase was “Oh Yeah!”, which you’ll hear plenty of times in today’s Phantom dancer Timmie Rogers set and in The Phantom dancer Video of the Week below.

He was a recurring guest star on The Jackie Gleason Show for over 12 years. He ended up working with Gleason thirty years.

Rogers also a composer and lyricist. You’ll hear his song, ‘If You Can’t Smile and Say Yes’, sung by Nat King Cole in a live 1945 radio broadcast. He wrote songs for Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan. His hits included ‘Back to School Again’ and ‘I Love Ya, I Love Ya, I Love Ya’.

 

1961 TV APPEARANCE

On your Phantom Dancer Video of the Week, enjoy Timmie Rogers as he wins over the studio audience on a 1961 TV Variety Show,

Play List – The Phantom Dancer 107.3 2SER-FM Sydney, Live Stream, Digital Radio Community Radio Network Show CRN #303 107.3 2SER Tuesday 13 February 2018 After the 2SER 12 noon news, 12:04 – 2:00pm (+11 hours GMT) National Program: ArtSoundFM Canberra Sunday 7 – 8pm and early morning on 22 other stations. Set 1 Benny Goodman 1934-36 Music Hall Rag Benny Goodman Orchestra Comm Rec New York City 1934 Dixieland Band Benny Goodman Orchestra (voc) Helen Ward ‘Let’s Dance’ WEAF NBC Red NY 4 May 1935 King Porter Stomp + Goodbye (theme) Benny Goodman Orchestra Joseph Urban Room Congress Hotel NBC Chicago 3 February 1936 Set 2 Exotica on the Wireless Theme + Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum Sauter and Finegan ‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ Blue Note WMAQ NBC Chicago 12 Sep 1953 Goodnight For A Murder George Barnes ‘The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street’ WJZ NBC Blue NY via Chicago 8 Sep 1941 Mocambo Mambo Martin Denny Orchestra London House WBBM CBS Chicago 1959 Set 3 NBC Supper Club I May Be Wrong Jo Stafford ’Supper Club’ NBC/AFRS 10 Apr 1946 On The Atcheson, Topeka and Santa Fe The Satisfiers ’Supper Club’ NBC/AFRS 1945 The Brave Volunteer + Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Jo Stafford ’Supper Club’ NBC/AFRS 1950 Set 4 Progressive Jazz Singers I Didn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night Arthur Prysock ‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ Birdland WNBC NBC NY 9 Sep 1952 Ain’t Misbehavin’ Anita O’Day (voc) Nat King Cole Trio ‘King Cole Court’ Radio Transcription Hollywood 1959 Happy Birthday + Send My Baby Back To Me Billy Eckstine ‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ Birdland WNBC NBC NY 8 Jul 1953 Set 5 Jazz on 1948-49 TV with Eddie Condon Fascinating Rhythm / I Got a Crush On You / ‘S Wonderful / They Can’t Take That Away From Me / The Man I Love / Embraceable You / I Got Rhythm Eddie Condon Group ‘Eddie Condon Floor Show’ WNBT TV NY 9 Jul 1949 I Cover The Waterfront Sarah Vaughan ‘Eddie Condon Floor Show’ WPIX TV NY 13 Dec 1948 Look At Me Now June Christy ‘Eddie Condon Floor Show’ WNBT TV NY 23 Jul 1949 Blues Eddie Condon Group ‘Eddie Condon Floor Show’ WPIX TV NY 13 Dec 1948 Set 6 1930s Small Groups Sweet Heartache Valaida Snow Comm Rec London 9 Jul 1937 Deep Purple Benny Goodman Quartet ‘Camel Caravan’ WCAU CBS Philadelphia 14 Feb 1939 Theme + Hold My Hand Fats Waller WEAF NBC Red NY 16 Jul 1938 Gin Mill Blues + Close Bob Crosby ‘Swing Concert’ Congress Hotel WMAQ NBC Red Chicago 18 May 1937 Set 7 Timmie Rogers Comedian Good Deal Timmie Rogers ‘Jubilee’ AFRS Hollywood 1946 Stand-Up Timmie Rogers Apollo Theatre New York City 17 Aug 1950 Daddy-O Timmie Rogers ‘Jubilee’ AFRS Hollywood 1946 The Trouble With Me Is You Nat King Cole (composed by Timmie Rogers) Trocadero KHJ Mutual LA 26 Apr 1945 Set 8 1940s-50s ‘Modern Jazz’ Twilight in Teheran Buck Ram All-Stars Comm Rec New York City 18 Sep 1944 Intro + I’m In A Dancing Mood Dave Brubeck Quartet Basin Street WCBS CBS NY Mar 1957 Ain’t You A Mess Stan Getz Red Hill Inn Pennsauken WCBS CBS NY 18 May 1957 Dizzy’s Business Dizzy Gillespie Birdland WCBS CBS NY Jun 1956

26 Dec New Years Phantom Dancer – Wynn The Astrologer Predicts The Future

Your New Year’s Phantom Dancer is choc-a-bloc full of New Years swing and jazz from live 1936 – 1966 radio,

Presented by myself, Greg Poppleton, since 1985 on 107.3 2SER Sydney, the show is now re-broadcast over 23 stations of the Community Radio Network across Australia.

See the play of swing, jazz and dance in all styles from live 1920s-60s radio below.

SEER
This famous 1930s astrologer gives his prognostications for 1937 on  today’s Phantom Dancer. In fact, get ready for disappointment at the end of Set 1, where I play Wynn’s ‘wise words’ (and some musical excerpts) from the 1936 New Year’s Eve Rudy Vallee show.

You’ll hear most of what Wynn had to say about the year ahead. I cut it short for time. Think of the audience for the 1936 radio broadcast, they never got that Wynn wasted time back.

Wynn, born Sidney Kimball Bennett, wrote the stars for the New York Daily News. And it seems he didn’t do it for a laugh. He was ridiculously serious about himself, as you’ll hear.

SPOOKY
His claim to fame was a prediction he made in the NY Daily News in 1932. He ‘foresaw’ financial turmoil for early March of 1933. That’s when President Roosevelt closed the banks for a week as the US struggled with the Great Depression.

UNCANNY
Wynn’s predictions for 1937 are typically vague, and, well, predictable. More interesting is just a short list of what actually happened in 1937 out of the trillions of things Wynn’s charts failed to predict…

• Safety glass in vehicle windscreens becomes mandatory in Great Britain
• Bradman scores 270 Aust v England at the MCG, incl 110 singles
• 2nd of Stalin‘s purge trials; Pyatakov & 16 others sentenced to death
• DuPont Corp patents nylon, developed by employee Wallace H Carothers
• Initial flight of the first successful flying car, Waldo Waterman’s Arrowbile
• Bradman scores 169 in 5th Test Cricket v England in 223 minutes
• Mexico nationalizes oil
• Pope Pius XI publishes anti-nazi-encyclical Mit brennender Sorge
• Astronomer Fritz Zwicky publishes his research on stellar explosion in which he coins the term “supernova” and hypothesizes that they were the origin of cosmic rays
• Spinach growers of Crystal City, Texas, erect statue of Popeye
• Debut of cartoon characters Daffy Duck, Elmer J Fudd & Petunia Pig
• German Luftwaffe destroys Basque town of Guernica in Spain
• 1st commercial flight across Pacific operated by Pan Am
• The Philippines holds a plebiscite for Filipino women on whether they should be extended the right to suffrage; over 90% voted yes
• San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge opens
• Spam, the luncheon meat, is first introduced into the market by the Hormel Foods Corporation
• Japanese & Chinese troops clash at the Marco Polo Bridge, beginning the Second Sino-Japanese War
• Buchenwald Concentration Camp opens
• Isolation of pituitary hormone announced (Yale University)
• 1st FM radio construction permit issued (W1X0J (WGTR) in Boston MA)
• Date celebrated as the first International Hobbit Day and the birthdays of Bibo and Frodo Baggins
• 1st Santa Claus Training School opens (Albion NY)
• Balinese Tiger declared extinct
• Dmitri Shostakovitch’s 5th Symphony premieres
• Clifford Odets’ “Golden Boy” premieres in NYC
• Japanese troops conquer and plunder Nanjing (Nanjing Massacre)
• Bill O’Reilly takes 9-41 for NSW against South Australia
• Constitution of Ireland (Irish: Bunreacht na hÉireann) is enacted and Irish free state is named Eire
• Pan Am starts service between San Francisco and Auckland, New Zealand

Here’s some footage of the first successful flying car, Waldo Waterman’s Arrowbile. How did Wynn miss this one? Probably the same way he missed foretelling his own 1926 car accident…(gosh, on today’s Phantom Dancer he warns Rudy Vallee to be ‘careful of cars’, spooky!)

Phantom Dancer 26 December 2017 107.3 2SER Sydney 12 – 2pm and Online CRN (Community Radio Network) Program #294 After the 2SER 12 noon news, 12:04 – 2:00pm (+11 hours GMT) National Program ArtSoundFM Canberra Sunday 7 – 8pm and early morning on 22 other stations.
Set 1
New Years Eve Aboard An Ocean Liner	Raymond Scott Quintette	Comm Rec New York 21 Jul 1939
In The Mood	Glenn Miller Orchestra	‘Chesterfield Show’ WABC CBS NY 27 Dec 1939
Never Should Have Told You + Predictions for 1937 + Chim Bomba + Close	Rudy Vallee and Wynn the Astrologer	‘Royal Gelatin Show’ WEAF NBC Red NY 31 Dec 1936
Set 2
Open + Happy Holidays	Bing Crosby (voc) John Scott Trotter Orchestra	‘Kraft Music Hall’ KFI NBC LA 30 Dec 1943
Rhapsody In Blue (theme) + Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah	Paul Whiteman Orchestra and Chorus	‘The Paul Whiteman Show’ WJZ ABC NY 1 Jan 1947
Poinciana + Close	Bing Crosby (voc) John Scott Trotter Orchestra	‘Kraft Music Hall’ KFI NBC LA 30 Dec 1943
Set 3
Deep Forest (theme) + Dippermouth Blues + When The Saints Go Marching In + Tiger Rag	Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines	Club Hangover KCBS CBS San Francisco 1 Jan 1957
Set 4
Auld Lang Syne + Newport Up + Together + Maccarena + You Better Know It	Duke Ellington Orchestra (voc) Jimmy Grissom and Ozzie Bailey	‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ Blue Note WMAQ NBC Chicago 1 Jan 1958
Set 5
Sad Sack	Harry James Orchestra (Hollywood)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
One O’Clock Jump	Count Basie Orchestra (New York)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
Warsaw Concerto	Freddy Martin Orchestra (Cocoanut Grove, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
Woodchopper’s Ball	Woody Herman Orchestra (Meadowbrook Ballroom, Cedar Grove NJ)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
Set 6
Open + Stompin’ At The Savoy + Tea For Two	Teddy Wilson Trio	‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ The Embers WRCA NBC NY 31 Dec 1957
Stompin’ Down Broadway + Opus 1 (close)	Dorsey Brothers Orchestra	Meadowbrook Ballroom Cedar Grove NJ WCBS CBS NY 1 Jan 1956
Set 7
Afterthoughts + Canadian Sunset + Soft Summer Breeze + The Man I Love + Begin The Beguine	Eddie Haywood Trio	‘All-Star Parade of Bands’ The Embers WRCA NBC NY 31 Dec 1957
Set 8
Robin Hood	Louis Prima Orchestra (voc) LP	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
Gotta Be This Or That	Benny Goodman Orchestra (with Slam Stewart b, Red Norvo vibes, Boston)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945
Let The Zoomers Drool	Duke Ellington Orchestra (Evansville, Indiana)	‘New Year’s Dancing Party’ AFRS Hollywood 31 Dec 1945

Latest Greg Poppleton Live Music Clip – Tea For Two

Hi, here’s the latest live Greg Poppleton clip. It’s Tea for Two, written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar for the 1925 musical No, No, Nannette.

An audience member filmed this on their smartphone at the latest Greg Poppleton show at Sydney Rowers.

The band and I hope you will enjoy the Tea for Two Cha-Cha and give it a thumb up on YouTube!

I also took some photos for you below.

Only the first minute of the video was useable. As people came up to dance, the band was obscured from the camera’s view. And their was camera shake and blur.

We’ll be back at Sydney Rowing Club on the beautiful Parramatta River on Easter Sunday 1 April.

Check out where we’ll be next on the band website gregpoppletonmusic.com
Looking through the drum kit at the Parramatta River below from the Greg Poppleton bandstand at Sydney Rowing Club.

Dancing to Greg Poppleton’s 1920s-1930s songs

The Greg Poppleton band in silhouette.

Greg Poppleton band. (L-r) Adam Barnard drums and washboard, Stan Valacos double bass, Grahame Conlon guitar and banjo, Damon Poppleton alto sax and clarinet.

Greg Poppleton singing through his 1920s megaphone.

Visit Greg Poppleton

Contact. We play for festivals, clubs, weddings and parties.

You’re Really Kickin’ – December Newsletter

What’s Happening?

Free Show Sydney Rowing Club 3 Dec
Free Xmas Show Fairfield Museum 9 Dec
Private Event 11 Dec
Radio Show 107.3 2SER 5,12,19, 26 Dec

“You’re Really Kickin’,” says Norma in New York. Listen…

We’re at Sydney Rowing Club!
3-6pm, 3 December

Greg Poppleton, Australia’s only authentic 1920s-1930s singer with over 1.1 Million YouTube views, and his swinging jazz band, are back at Sydney Rowing Club, 3pm 3 Dec, for their fun & energetic show. Don’t miss out! FREE!

Sydney Rowing Club, 613 Great North Road, Abbotsford, 3-6pm, Sunday 3 December.

Restaurant, Bistro, bar, river views. Tons of free parking. Right on Abbotsford Ferry wharf and at the terminus for the 438 City-Abbotsford bus.

We’ll Sing You Jazzy Christmas Carols
Fairfield Museum
6-8pm, 9 December

What a lovely way to spend an early evening! Greg and the 1920s – 1930s band will be a-carolling and playing the songs of the 1920s-30s at Fairfield Museum’s annual evening of holiday festivities! And it’s FREE!

This is Greg’s third Christmas at Fairfield. It’s always a warm, family friendly, community-spirited get-together.

Bring your picnic rugs, snacks and festive outfits for this annual family event, held in the open under shady trees in the Museum’s ‘Old Sydney Town’ style central square.

There’ll be kids’ activities, stalls and performances by,
– Greg Poppleton (jazz and Xmas carols),
– Shae Mowen School of Dance,
– The Choir of Love,
– Spanish Speaking Community Choir
– Karen Children’s & Adult’s Choir
– William Stimson Public School, Wetherill Park

Address: Corner The Horsley Drive & Oxford Street, Smithfield.
(634 The Horsley Drive). Heaps of free street parking.

Private Event 11 December

It’s a thrill to be asked back this year to play for one of our favourite clients. We have had an association with this client for six years.

November saw Greg Poppleton play for a Wedding (see photo above), the Sydney Bus Museum ‘Deckers in the Night‘ event and the Sydney Town Hall Christmas Concert.

As an example of what we do, please read Greg’s article about the wedding, and find out how Greg Poppleton and the band can add real 1920s – 1930s charm to your event.
Book Greg for your event

Pot of Gold Radio Show

Did you know? Greg Poppleton is Australia’s longest running swing DJ. A 23rd radio station has just signed to pick up Greg Poppleton’s Phantom Dancer radio show each week – 89.1FM Cairns. Greg publishes his play lists, videos and expert articles on jazz and swing every week on his blog, Greg Poppleton’s Radio Lounge.

Read Greg’s latest 3 Dec play list and expert Swing Era article about big band leader Horace Heidt, his Pot of Gold radio show, his link to Louis Farrakhan, his Trianon Ballroom and his Los Angeles School for Stammerers.

The Pick of November Band Photos

Sydney Town Hall

The Greg Poppleton band got the joint jumping in the Lower Sydney Town Hall Ballroom. A packed dance floor swung to the music of the 1920s and 1930s…

See article »

Deckers in the Night

Greg Poppleton provided the hi-octane musical atmosphere with a selection of bouncy 1920s – 30s tunes. Entertaining, energetic and engaging, Greg and the band…

See article »

Contact Greg’s Management

Contact Tony Jex, directly at OzManagement for all performance enquiries, private events and functions: info@ozmanagement.com

Were You At Sydney Town Hall?

Community variety shows are such fun. The Greg Poppleton band got the joint jumping in the Lower Sydney Town Hall Ballroom today. A packed dance floor swung to the music of the 1920s and 1930s played by singer Greg Poppleton and his quartet of world-toured jazz musicians…

Greg Poppleton, 1920s-30s singer and jazz band, filled the dance floor

And lots of guests wanted their photos taken with me singing. I managed to get some of the photo takers to capture a few snaps on my phone, too

Keeping the beat on drum kit and washboard with the Greg Poppleton band was Adam Barnard.

One of the acts I managed to get a photo of while they were rehearsing before the show was The Friendship Bridge Dance Group.

I also had my photo taken with the Friendship Bridge Dance Group as the Greg Poppleton band played, ‘This Time The Dream’s On Me’.

There was also Welcome to Country by Aunty Norma Ingram, Cultural Dance and song in a variety of Aboriginal Languages by Terry Olsen, Zumba Flash Mob,  Community Theatre with Kelly on piano (who I hadn’t seen since last century), Thor the Magician, the St Mary’s Cathedral Boys Choir and a wonderful MC.

Sydney’s popular Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, welcomed the concert goers. She was mobbed as she went from table to table.

Geoff Power doubled sousaphone and cornet with the Greg Poppleton band

The Greg Poppleton band instruments on stage and sound-checked ready for the show.

Paul Furniss doubled clarinet and alto sax. Grahame Conlon doubled guitar and banjo with the Greg Poppleton band.

Greg Poppleton is Australia’s only authentic 1920s – 30s singer. Operatically trained, entertaining and energetic, Greg puts on a show full of verve and exceptional musicianship by the world-toured band.

We play for festivals, clubs, bars and all private occasions.

Visit: www.gregpoppletonmusic.com

What Was I Doing With The Band At Sydney Bus Museum?

Greg Poppleton provided the hi-octane musical atmosphere with a selection of bouncy 1920s – 30s tunes sung by Australia’s only authentic 1920s-1930s singer.

Entertaining, energetic and engaging, Greg and the band were the focus of plenty of happy snaps by nostalgic bus fans. We’ve even appeared on a few Facebook pages since.

Greg can entertain for you, too. Duo to full 1920s Orchestra. Act now.

Enjoy this selection of photos of the night taken by Greg Poppleton, a visitor, and DJ/dancer Swingin’ Kitten

Greg Poppleton 1920s-30s Band in front of a 1930 Sydney bus. Geoff Power sousaphone doubling trumpet, Paul Baker banjo, Greg Poppleton 1920s-30s singer, Damon Poppleton alto sax. Photo by Swingin’ Kitten.

 

Greg Poppleton sings ‘Margie’ from the front platform of a 1970 Atlantean double decker. Photo by Swingin’ Kitten.

 

1920s-30s singer Greg Poppleton with Limpin’ Jimmy and Swingin’ Kitten, swing and rockabilly DJs.

 

Greg Poppleton singing into a visitor’s camera with Damon on alto sax. Photo by Swingin’ Kitten

 

Damon and Dad on the way home after the gig in the back of an old Atlantean bus

Remember, Greg can entertain for you, too. Duo to full 1920s Orchestra. Act now.