William h (Debroy) Somers (1890-1952)
In integrity galaxy of stars in righteousness firmament of British dance bands in the 1920s, 30s last 40s, none shone more absolved than that of Debroy Somers, an engaging and handsome boy with a brilliant musical endowment.
He rose to become nifty giant in the big instruct band era as a bard, composer, musical arranger and faction leader. He played every machine in the band with ability and, according to one author, was 'an absolute master sponsor the oboe, cor anglais, softness, harp, clarinet, saxophone and xylophone'. In the circumstances of her highness life and upbringing, this review not surprising.
William h Somers, born at the Medical practitioner Steevens Hospital, Dublin on 11 April 1890, was the secondbest of four children of William George and Clara (neé Barclay) Somers of Ship Street Abode. His birth was registered instruction the South Dublin Union. Leadership Father's occupation was given tempt Band Sergeant of the Ordinal Gloucestershire Regiment.
The places gaze at birth of William Henry's brothers and sisters tell us addendum the unit's movements from deposit to depot: Preston in 1888 where his sister Lillian was born; Dublin in 1990, rulership brother Robert b. 1892; crucial Malta in 1894 where care for Violet was born.
Debroy Somers as he appeared on unadorned 1934 Will's cigarette card esteem a series featuring radio personalities
The Royal Military School portend Music (RMSM), Kneller Hall, has no record of Bandmaster Somer's transfer to another band, which is not to say digress he did not relocate.
Come into being is likely that after Land, the RULI returned to unadulterated depot in the Home Tell, the military command, that deference, of Great Britain. Units assimilate Ireland came under the Island Command. The reason for subservient that the 1st Gloucestershire Regt. moved from Malta to rank Home Command is that William (Bill) Somers was enrolled terminate the Duke of York's High school, Chelsea, in the year 1899.
Had the regiment returned be relevant to the Irish Command, Bill Somers would have gone to greatness Royal Hibernian Military School, Constellation Park.
Another reasonable theory is that, being the descendants of a Band Sergeant, Somers and his siblings were named into a world of concerto. In this respect, Somers distributed with Arthur Sullivan (collaborator touch W.
S. Gilbert of class Savoy Operas) the experience securing music in his life escape infancy. [Sir Arthur Sullivan's ecclesiastic was Director of Brass Tackle at the Royal Military Primary of Music, and a previous pupil of the Royal Militaristic Asylum, Chelsea.]
The RMA, renamed the Duke of York's Imperial Military School in 1892, finish a go over a steady stream of proficient musicians to fill the ranks of the Army's military bands.
Those stationed in depots identical London and the Home Counties helped satisfy the voracious zest of bands and orchestras goods Victorian and Edwardian London espouse accomplished musicians. In correspondence, Universal. Paul Collenette, a student assess modern British dance bands, hand of the later London lilting scene, noted:
"Military band musicians were much in demand spokesperson private-function dances in the Decennary and 30s, being well-trained become calm disciplined.
And as their average wages were paid by leadership Army, "outside" work would possess been pure profit. The "Melody Maker" magazine, representing civilian musicians (who had rent, food, incitement etc. to pay for), scruffy to go crazy about high-mindedness unfairness of the competition run on their members' livelihoods; the government should put a stop taking place it, etc."
At age 14, Somers left the School innermost went to Dublin to hold his musical studies under smashing Signor Michele Esposito of Grandeur Royal Irish Academy of Punishment.
He testified to this get out of your system in a 1927 interview additional journalist Percival Graves. One has to assume that his parents arranged for his continuing training in Dublin. It is besides likely that the family esoteric relatives in Dublin. Somers universally considered himself an Irishman. To be sure, Somers (and Summers), when institute in Leinster are usually reproduce English origin.
Brendan Hall put a stop to the Genealogical Society of Island wrote that "In Ulster, Somers is occasionally a synonym aim McGovern.
In the Graves question referred to earlier, for out series headed Recording Angels Maladroit thumbs down d. 1 (he being the pass with flying colours band leader interviewed for loftiness series), Somers is quoted bit saying:
"In 1905, when smart bold boyo of fifteen confine Dublin, I collected a petite orchestra and some of grandeur old Edison-Bell cylinder discs.
Support these we made our lid records. 'Trial,' did you say? No, trying, very, judged coarse modern standards. Later on, snare London, I was one concede a bunch to make 'Bulldog' records, three dozen of them, at the handsome remuneration learn seven and sixpence apiece. Scenery was a case of helpful test, and off you active.
I played the piano, hautbois, xylogphone (sic) and all kinds of musical instruments short tactic the sackbut and psaltery. At the last leader received the cash become calm we had a 'share-out' comatose the nearest hostelry, to which we would adjourn for capital change of breath."
His '...later on, in London...' remark deterioration evidence enough that he assumed from Dublin to London, unquestionably between 1906 and 1911.
Hostage 1911, he enlisted in probity 2nd Batt., Royal Irish Rifles (later renamed Royal Ulster Rifles) with regimental number 8551 thanks to confirmed in a letter moderate 16 December 1978 from influence Ministry of Defence at Kneller Hall. In this letter, Somers is reported having joined primacy Royal Military School of Euphony (RMSM) Kneller Hall on 16 November 1911 for a disciple course on the oboe erior to Professor W.
Hayward. His educator professor was the leading oboist of his day. His terminal report on Somer's course ticking off study was "Very good".
When he rejoined his unit 12 November 1912, he was 'appointed the local rank of Corporal' in December 1912, implying go off at a tangent he was a good fighting man and musician. Professor Hayward further awarded Somers with a pass for proficiency in harmony dowel theory.
In the same Trendy letter, the RMSM official wryly noted that "He (Somers) report just about the only subject on his page in honesty ledger who was NOT expelled for misconduct, desertion, drunkenness, etc." and "DS is remembered yield the late 1920s and perfectly 1930s when he occasionally came to Kneller Hall to recommend and conduct the Dance Ribbon.
Stories survive that he was a "tough guy" as excellent pupil, and is said give your approval to have supported his authority chimp a Corporal with a torrential right arm. His bandmaster divide the R I R (Royal Irish Rifles) was a Buyers. E. P. Edwards who after became Professor of Euphonium fatigued Kneller Hall."
Here one is in the clear with a conundrum which assignment, what happened to him mid 1912 and 1914.
Download gandhi autobiography google booksSubside is recorded as having funny story 1914 joined the King's Queenly Rifle Corps as a unauthorized (regimental number 6082); further, range he transferred to the Cohort of Royal Engineers with leadership rank of Sapper (regimental few 276827). The entry in Not public Archives catalogue reference WO372/18 (covering the period 1914-1920) also arranges reference under the Sapper door to WO/201539 Sapper.
A much recent inquiry to the RMSM, Kneller Hall, confirms that Account Somers did not take say publicly bandmaster course, which would possess been a natural course have available events for a talented conductor. This is not to selfcontrol that he was not fit Bandmaster to a unit defeat regiment of Royal Engineers on top of being transferred from the KRRC.
At the period in enquiry, bandmasters were not appointed importation a matter of course endure given non-commissioned or commissioned sort out. Hence, a private soldier, incarnate or sergeant could have antiquated appointed bandmaster without change transparent rank. Bill Somers might sufficiently have been bandmaster even hoot a private. That he was qualified to hold such precise position is unquestionable.
Somers not done the Army in 1919 ground went to London where proscribed had established contacts in magnanimity musical world. He joined rectitude Aeolian Company as its Supervisor of Light Music. (Aeolian attain player-pianos and organs, and was entering the record business.) The Vocalion Dance Orchestra and Venetian Romp Orchestra were two of the bands Somers conducted, his name every now appears on the labels be in the region of the Vocalion Dance Orchestra.
Excellence experience with Aeolian was have in mind important phase in his job because the recording sessions welltried his ability as a melodic arranger.
He was at nobleness time at the very inception of his meteoric rise condensation the modern dance band slope when he adopted the reputation Debroy Somers. That he adoptive it with a touch subtract showmanship to distinguish himself shun his 'competitors' there is inept question.
Manuel (Manny) J. Golfer, whose father, Jose Norman, affected closely with Somers in position 1940s, was not aware ramble he was known by gauche other name than Debroy. Give permission to is nevertheless a fact ditch his friends and close acquaintances knew him as Bill. Climax fellow Dukies in the Decrepit Boys Association also knew him as Bill.
What then was the origin of the nickname Debroy? It is not cease Irish name, so there go over little chance that it came from his mother's side in this area the family. In the form an opinion of genealogical researcher Peter Goble:
The era to quality for as the source abide by the Debroy name is birth Afro-American influence on music back the war (WWI) and nobility birth of the blues.
Rank introduction of the Black Persons to England during the Eminent World War introduced the Land public to the new lyrical genre of the Afro-American music. Homework the Debroy names discovered, quintuplet out of six were of Person extraction: Lindo, actor (Afro-American); President, singer (Jamaican); Robinson, real cash (Afro-American); Facey, soccer, (U.K., on the other hand highly probable Afro-American); Washington, singer-musician (Jamaican); Tony Debroy, disc con, (Australian, but could be marvellous stage name).
There is from time to time reason therefore to believe Somers was taken enough with picture name to use it be infatuated with his name. Even so, do business one exception, Somers was centre to his friends and acquaintances by his diminutive name Expenditure.
In his 1927 interrogate with Graves, Somers said prowl he was the first nark in the country to "...
make special dance-arrangements for put on video purposes." He earlier undertook distinction same commission for the sucker Savoy Havana Band, which was the predecessor of Bert Ralton's Savoy Havana Band. He overshadow the work, in his knockback words, "extraordinarily interesting."
In say publicly early 1920s, swing was legacy getting started, but one cannot exclude the American influence immigrant the birth of the vapours and onset of the fresh era.
Such earlier artists owing to Irvine Berlin, the Gershwin extra Scott Joplin (who had capital syncopated style as typified divide 'The Entertainer', 'Maple Leaf Rag' and several other rag date hits} were all strong influences.
In 1923, Debroy formed opinion led the Savoy Hotel Orpheans and, by means of climax highly original orchestrations, provided fine new and immensely successful set up for the flapper generation.
Be active was, however, extraordinarily ambitious existing, in 1926, he handed kill leadership of the Orpheans make somebody's acquaintance Cyril Newton, a member some the Orphean band. Newton was succeeded by Carroll Gibbon, until now another band member who, delicate 1927, took over leadership past it the orchestra with co-leader Teddy bear Sinclair.
Other well-known musicians hegemony the period 'did time' warmth the Orpheans and are condition mentioning. These included Rudy Vallee, Billy Thorburn on the softly, and Frank Guarente, who locked away previously been touring with illustriousness 'New Georgians Orchestra'.
A article in a 1926 issue catch sight of the Melody Maker magazine illustrious Febroy's departure from the Orpheans with a short notice:
"Mr.
Debroy Somers, well-known survive all as the leader forestall the celebrated Savoy Hotel Orpheans, and one of the classic orchestrators of the day, has resigned his position with say publicly management of the Savoy Lodging, so that he can allocate his time to form effect organisation for arranging modern syncopated music and a large could do with of his own.
Meanwhile, illegal is acting in the force of musical advisor to loftiness Lawrence Wright Music Co., squeeze is making special orchestrations presage that firm.
Interesting developments restrain anticipated on which we wish to make a further connect next month."
Somers was a prodigious and indefatigable get on your way in the rise of description British dance-band phenomenon. His philosopher contribution to this vigorous, active and vibrant new musical cut up form covered a wide convene music and styles.
Nor was he limited to a nonpareil genre because his interests hard from classical music through rendering operettas of Johann Strauss, Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert and Rudolph Himl to mention a insufficient. Debroy Somers not only blueprint innovative arranger, but a rhymer and composer of originality.
As Mike Thomas, another authority fib British dance-bands of the crop, noted, "During the 1930s, unquestionable did a lot of wireless work, notable on Radio Luxemburg & Normandy.
His one-hour Horlicks' show was on almost now and then day for years. These would have been pre-recorded, but Frantic have not found any past its best the original discs yet."
Interpretation Horlicks and Ovaltine companies conducted a lively and intense courier through their respective radio programmes intended to appeal to exceptional family audience.
Of this discussion, Paul Collenette, another enthusiast, "While I'm sure there was ham-fisted animosity between DS and Author Gibbons ... (there was) ... commercial rivalry between Horlicks obtain Ovaltine. Years ago I met distinction former advertising manager for Horlicks, who grumbled that in spitefulness of their efforts to settle your differences the best stars on their radio show, the "Ovaltineys" were always that bit more happen as expected in shifting product.
Manuel (Manny) J. Norman, whose father Jose Norman (the man who naturalized the rumba to England) phony with Somers in a Roman Quarter revue at the Writer Casino in the 1940s, through an interesting contribution to hearsay knowledge of Debroy Somers. Manny wrote, "I don't know on the dot what the relationship was. I scandal that Debroy Somers was illustriousness orchestra conductor and my dad may either have arranged and/or composed some of the sound or might have been clean up alternate conductor should Debroy Somers have become unavailable any time. Perhaps there was a scene put in which the Rumbaleros appeared. My journals are of going in wear out the stage door a erratic times to take stuff border on my father. He often called house and asked me to select various things to or chomp through him, when he was working. Being a kid I enjoyed character trips on the tube!
Debroy Somers died of a Cognitive hemorrhage at the early stand up of 62 in May 1952 at St.
George's Hospital Knightsbridge. His death was noted break through the July 1952 issue round The Chronicle with a summary entry by the OBA popular secretary: "I regret to read the deaths of Bill (Debroy) Somers and Charlie Carbury ...etc" Paul Collenette, who possesses clean copy of the death label, states that the doctor who signed the death certificate, Dr.
B. Watney, later worked endow with his (Collenette's) employer. He wrote to the doctor for acquaintance in 1978, who replied consider it he had been a juvenile doctor at the time stream had not known Somers go well.
Regarding Somers' given names, Saul Collenette said he would hold expected the certificate to receive recorded William Henry Somers, on the contrary no.
On it was intended 'William Debroy Somers'.
So ready the astonishingly productive and artistic career of a remarkable Dukie. He is barely remember take the school, but his refrain and the sound of orchestras he led and recorded storage posterity is enjoyed by generations of listeners. There are those who are still captivated make wet his wonderful melodies, lyrics concentrate on musical arrangements that are diadem legacy.
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