George Melly with John Chilton's Feetwarmers, Rivoli Ballroom, London (GB) - 1975

This hilarious gig had George Melly, jazz singer and expert on surrealism, performing generally risqué jazz and blues songs, mainly from the 1920s and 1930s, accompanied by John Chilton’s band. They were formed in late 1973 and, in his later years, this show was what characterised Melly’s career. The band at this date consisted of Chilton trumpet and probably Collin Bates piano, Steve Fagg double bass and Chuck Smith drums. Possibly also Wally Fawkes on clarinet. The event was marked by Melly’s flamboyant showmanship but the band played good, crisp music of the era, not Dixieland stuff, and Chilton himself was a tasty trumpet player. The year is estimated but close enough.