The BBC Jazz Club in the 1960s was a complete cross-section of British jazz, often with American guests, and the Christmas shows always tried to be a bit different. In 1963 Chris Barber featured no less than three guests – the pianist Ian Armit, singer Bobby Breen and alto saxophonist Joe Harriott plus the band’s own singer, Ottilie Patterson. The broadcast on this album is compered by Humph and the music sounds as fresh today as it did when first broadcast all those years ago. Band personnel included Chris Barber, trombone, Pat Halcox, trumpet, Ian Wheeler, clarinet, alto saxophone. Eddie Smith, banjo, guitar, Dick Smith, bass, Graham Burbidge, drums, Ottilie Patterson, vocals Guest musicians: Joe Harriott, alto saxophone, Ian Armit, piano, Bobby Breen vocals with Humph’s original introductions.
