ALL THE GAIETY, GLITTER AND GLAMOUR OF SYDNEY'S PRINCES CABARET

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 72, 8 November 1940, Page 40

ALL THE GAIETY, GLITTER AND GLAMOUR OF SYDNEY'S PRINCES CABARET

ZB Stations Present Broadcasts By

Craig Crawford's

Band

OT without cause has Sydney, earned the reputation of being one of the gayest cities south of the Line, and as many New Zealanders know, every night’s a gala night at dozens of lively cabarets and cafes. The Trocadero, the Ginger Jar, the Princes Cabaret, are three places which present night life with a dash of sophistication that our own cabarets" have yet to acquire. Rendezvous most popular with Sydney dancers these days is the Princes, where one of the brightest dance bands in Australia is conducted by a young New Zealand saxophonist, Craig Crawford. The Commercial Broadcasting Service is featuring every Saturday night a broadcast of Craig Crawford and his band that incorporates the atmosphere of the Princes Cabaret, with all its music and gaiety, just as if a night’s programme were on relay. Crawford was well known in the Auckland dance world, as he played at both the Civic Wintergarden and at the Peter Pan Cabaret. Five years ago he left to try his luck in Australia, and he has not looked back. He is a fine saxophonist, his instrument being the B Flat tenor, on which he produces a beautiful tone, very similar to that of Howard Jacobs. He is also a master, in the Benny Goodman tradition, of the clarinet. Usual combination in his Princes Cabaret is piano, drums, four saxophones, Spanish guitar and violin. The band is exceptionally strong in the saxophone section, but, after the style of most Australian combinations, there is special emphasis on the rhythm section, New Zealand bands tend to concentrate more on melody. It is interesting to note that Crawford’s band can play both saxophone and clarinet quartets. Those interested in dance band music will be interested to know that Dominion musicians have an exceptionally high reputation in Australia. Some years ago, a very high

compliment was paid by Frank Coughlan, one of the best known band leaders in Australia, who visited Auckland with his brother to help in the formation of an orchestra for a local cabaret. When they returned to Australia, Frank Coughlan formed a combination at the Sydney Trocadero, and they took with them several New Zealand musicians. At one stage, five of the Trocadero’s 14-piece band were New Zealanders. Other musicians who have made their way in Australia are Maurie Gilman and Era. Beecham. Gilman, who is conducting in Sydney at the moment, has appeared at several well-

known cabarets, including the Ginger Jar. Beecham, a brilliant swing pianist, left New Zealand to join up with Fullers, and was soon back with the original "Rio Rita" company, He toured with many revue companies, and last year undertook an engagement leading a band at the Metropole Cabaret, Auckland. But of all these musicians none has made more of a name for himself than Craig Crawford, and his broadcasts over the ZB stations should prove of added interest to lovers of dance band music. Crawford’s band plavs every Saturday night, from 1ZB and 3ZB at eight o’clock, and from 2ZB at 10 o’clock.