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| Les Condon discography... |
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Les Condon was born in Kennington, London in 1930. He took up the trumpet at the age of seventeen and played in a local band until he joined the RAF for National service from 1948-50. He continued to play in the forces band and after gigging with Kenny Graham in 1951 he turned professional in 1952 playing in the bands on the Cunard transatlantic liners.
In the early 1950s he worked with Vic Lewis, Harry Hayes, Roy Fox, Johnny Rogers, Kathy Stobart and by the mid 1950s was working with Ronnie Scott and tony Crombie. A spell with Tubby Hayes followed from February, 1955 to September, 1956 before, in 1957, he began a long association with Tony Kinsey. His playing in the early years could be erratic but by the late 1950s he had a style very much based on that of the American trumpeter Lee Morgan. He liked playing in big bands and played in the Downbeat Big Band from 1959, Harry South's Big Band, Stan Tracey's Big Band and was with Woody Herman band on it's 1959 British tour. |
From early 1960 he concentrated on freelance session work although he continued to play jazz with Tony Crombie, The Eddie Thompson Quintet and The Joe Harriott Quintet and in the mid 1950s to early 1960s he periodically played with various Tony Kinsey small groups. Throughout his career worked in the theatre but from 1967 he was working with John Dankworth, Kenny Graham, Ronnie Ross in his Sextet and Tentet and the Art Ellefson Band. He worked for two weeks with the Ray Charles Big Band on their European tour, and also with Philly Joe Jones, Benny Golson, Paul Gonsalves and others and has also arranged for many groups throughout his career. He has freelanced on many UK sessions with Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and Joe Harriott. He continued to play regularly until 1990 when dental problems curtailed his trumpet playing. Turned to the piano after this and continued to sit-in with various groups. |
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Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - January 13th/14th, 1954 (Decca LF1157) Dave Loban, Ronnie Baker, Les Condon, Colin Wright (tp), Laddy Busby, John Watson, Jack Botterill, Laurie Franklin (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Les Wigfield (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,bs), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Bweebida Bobbida*/Nights At The Turntable*/Sextet*/Limelight*/Walkin' Shoes*/Line For Lyons*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) January 20th, 1954 (Decca LF1157) Personnel as January 13th/14th. Westwood Walk*/Bark For Barksdale*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Mulligan's Music/Progressive Jazz) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) The following were recorded from a BBC Broadcast for the Overseas Service Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - April 27th, 1954 (Harlequin HQ3014) Les Condon, Ronnie Baker, Dave Loban, Colin Wright (tp), Brian Perrin, Jack Botterill, John Watson, Alec Gould (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (as,cl,sop), Bernard Allen (as), Jack Fisher, Norman Hunt (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Don Riddle (p), Dave Willis (b), Kenny Hollick (d), Vic Lewis (dir). Billy's Blues/Fearless Fosdike/Sweets/You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To. Tony Crombie And His Orchestra - October 30th, 1954 (Decca) (JMC9) Dizzy Reece, Les Condon (tp), Joe Temperley, Sammy Walker (ts), Lennie Dawes (bs), Harry South (p), Ashley Kozak (b), Tony Crombie (d). Good Bait*/Ahmed*/Compos Mentis*#/Down Under*. (*Jasmine CD - Modern Jazz At The Festival Hall - 1954) (#Ember CD - Tony Crombie - A Tribute) Tony Crombie And His Orchestra - November 18th, 1954 (Decca) Dizzy Reece, Les Condon (tp), Joe Temperley, Sammy Walker (ts), Lennie Dawes (bs), Harry South (p), Ashley Kozak (b), Tony Crombie (d). Perdido/Stop It/Love You Madly (vocal Annie Ross)All Of Me (vocal Boby Breen). Tony Crombie And His Orchestra - March 31st, 1955 (Decca) Jimmy Deuchar, Les Condon (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Don Rendell, Al Cornish (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Damian Robinson (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (d), Annie Ross (vcl). Baby Mine (AR vcl)/Flying Home/Early One Morning#/Tiptoe Through The Tulips/The Fish (AR vcl)*/Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean (AR vcl)* (#Ember CD - The Best Of British Jazz featuring the stars of the British modern jazz scene from the 1950s and 1960s) (#Ember CD - Tony Crombie - A Tribute) (*Jasmine CD - Annie Ross - Twisted) Tony Crombie And His Orchestra - July 7th, 1955 (Decca) personnel as March 31st. Flying Hickory/String Of Pearls. September 9th, 1955 (Decca) Personnel as March 31st. I Want You To Be My Baby (AR vcl)*/Hawk-eye (unissued)/Three Little Words (AR vcl). (*Jasmine CD - Annie Ross - Twisted) September, 1955 (Decca) Personnel as March 31st. Only You (AR vcl)*/Cry Me A River (AR vcl)*. (*Jasmine CD - Annie Ross - Twisted) Tony Crombie And His Orchestra - c1955/1956 (Israel Radio broadcast) Probable personnel: Jimmy Deuchar, Les Condon (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Don Rendell, Al Cornish (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Damian Robinson (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (p,d), Annie Ross (vcl). Short Stop*/C'est Si Bon (AR vcl)*/Don't Worry About Me (AR vcl)*. (*Ember CD - Tony Crombie - A Tribute) (*Ember CD - Annie Ross sings a handful of songs) Ronnie Scott/Tony Crombie Orchestra - February 18th, 1956 (Decca LF1261...10" LP) Ronnie Scott (ts), Derek Humble (as), Kenny Graham (ts), Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Les Condon (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Benny Green (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (d). Basie Talks*/It Might As Well Be Spring*/Drop Me Off At Harlem/Ting-A-Ling/Straight Life/Flying Home. (*Ember CD - Ronnie Scott Legacy) Tony Kinsey Quintet - October 7th, 1957 (Decca) Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Pete Blannin (b), Tony Kinsey (d). Blue Eyes/The Midgets. Tony Kinsey Quintet - December 6th, 1957 (Decca) personnel as October 7th. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face/Would'nt It Be Luverley/I Could Have Danced All Night. Tony Kinsey Quintet - December 30th, 1957 (Decca) Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d). On The Street Where You Live/Show Me/Get Me To the Church On Time. Tony Kinsey Quintet - March, 1958 (Decca) Les Condon (tp), Bob Efford (ts,b-cl), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Dave Willis (b), Tony Kinsey (d). Three Modes*/Satin Doll*/Autumn In Cuba*/Twinkletoes*/I Did'nt Know What Time It Was*/Cool Me Madam*/Hallelujah*/Time Gentlemen Please*. (*Vocalion CD - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying/Time Gentlemen Please) Tony Crombie And His Men - June 18th, 1958 (Columbia 33SX1119) Stan Roderick, Les Condon (tp), Bob Burns (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Tubby Hayes (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (d). Ninth Man/I'll Close My Eyes/Beryl's Bounce#/Panic Stations/Shapes/Copy-cats/Duke's Joke.(#Another title Odd Man Out which appears to be by the same group also appears on the Ember CD). (#Ember CD - Tony Crombie - A Tribute) Tony Crombie And His Men - July 23rd, 1958 (Columbia) Jimmy Watson, Les Condon (tp), Bob Burns (as), Tommy Whittle (ts), Tubby Hayes (bs), Norman Stenfalt (p), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Crombie (d). St. James Infirmary/Small Talk. Tony Kinsey Quintet - May 29th, 1959 (Parlophone) Les Condon (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d), Christopher Logue (narration). Blue Shoes/Moon Clouds/Bas Time/Pandora/Stew Pot/J's Blues/Blue Lament. Vic Lewis and his Group - June 24th, 1959 (Concept) Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Roy East (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Bill Sutcliffe (b), Dave Pearson (d). I Never Knew A Love Like This/Salt Peanuts/Mound Bayou/Little Girl/Pennsylvania Turnpike*/Stanhope Place*. (*Vocalion CD - Vic Lewis - Tea Break, Back Again & Jazz From Two Sides) Tempo TAP30 was titled "Jazz Inc. - Swinging Music in The Modern Manner". Although acclaimed by musicians, fans and several leading critics, the orchestra on this record performed for just seventeen weeks during 1959. Commercially, the band could be said to have failed, but musically it was a triumph. Tony Crombie Orchestra - January 6th, 1960 (Tempo TAP30) Leon Calvert, Les Condon (tp), Al Newman (cl,as), Bobby Wellins (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Crombie (d). Caravan*/Boo Bah*/Lullaby*/Reelin*/Li'l O'l Pottsville*/Jamba* (as Jammin' on #)/I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart*/Summertime*. (*Jasmine CD - Tony Crombie - Jazz Inc) (#Ember CD - Tony Crombie - A Tribute) Joe Harriott Quintet - January 27th, 1961 Joe Harriott (as), Les Condon (tp), Pat Smythe (p), Coleridge Goode (b), Phil Seamen (d). Moanin'*/Round About Midnight*/Coda*/Tempo*. (*Jazz Academy CD - Genius) Annie Ross with The Tony Kinsey Quintet - November/December, 1962 (Transatlantic) Annie Ross (vcl) acc. by Les Condon (tp), Peter King (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Brian Brocklehurst (b), Tony Kinsey (d). (Other musicians were added on various tracks). Bellini/The Ballad Of The Water And the Flame/The Ass' Song/The Liberal Man/Johnny/Sick Man/Things/He/Go to the Wall/The Ballad Of The Ape And The Judge/The General/Western Ladies. Tubby Hayes / Paul Gonsalves - 1963, possibly 1964 (Just Friends - Columbia SX(SCX) 6003) Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mell), Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,vib,as), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Jackie Sharpe (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Lennie Bush (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Tupa/Mini Minor/Souriya/Baby Blue/Amber Mood/Just Friends/Pedro's Walk. Tony Kinsey Quintet - March 7th/9th, 1963 (Decca) Les Condon (tp), Peter King (ts), Gordon Beck (p), Kenny Napper (b), Tony Kinsey (d). How to Succeed...*/Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm*/I Believe In You*/Coffee Break*/Been A Long Day*/Ciderella Darling*/Paris Original*/Grand Old Ivy*/A Secretary Is Not A Toy*/Brotherhood Of Man*/Love From A Heart Of Gold*/The Company Way*. (*Vocalion CD - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying/Time Gentlemen Please) Forty Two Big Band - spring, 1963 (Columbia) Bobby Pratt, Bert Courtley, Derrick Abbott, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Gib Wallace, Bobby Lamb, Bill Geldard (tb), Johnny Scott (as), Tommy Whittle, Eddie Mordue, Bobby Wellins (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Tommy Watt (p,ldr), Malcolm Cecil (b), Bobby Orr (d). Woodchoppers Ball/Tuxedo Junction/St. Louis Blues/C Jam Blues. Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - April 24th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana TL5221) Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mel), Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Jackie Sharpe (bs,cl), Ronnie Ross (as,bs, b-cl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib,timp), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts,cl), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d). Israel Nights*/Russian Roulette*/Parisian Thoroughfare*/The Killers Of W.1*/Sasa-hivi*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - Tubbs Tours) Harry South Big Band - January 25th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Albert Hall (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Rik Kennedy, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Bill Geldard (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Pete King (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), HarrySouth (ldr). Costa Fortuna/Last Orders/Afterthought/Alone Together. Harry South Big Band - January 26th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Greg Bowen (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Gibb Wallace (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Bob Efford (ts,fl), Harry Klein (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), HarrySouth (ldr). Six To One Bar/Lush Life/There And Back/North Of The Soho Border. Tubby Hayes Big Band - probably January 31st, 1965 (BBC TV-Cast live from the Marquee Club, London *IAJRC50) Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wray (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts), Ronnie Ross, Jackie Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d). Parisian Thoroughfare*/Young And Foolish*. (*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great) Stan Tracey Big Band - March 8th/9th, 1966 (Alice in Jazzland - Columbia SX6051, SXC6051) Kenny Baker, Eddie Blair, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Wally Smith, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Baker (as,cl), Alan Branscombe (as), Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). (Wellins was not present on three other titles recorded on March 23rd) Afro-Charlie Meets The White Rabbit*/Portrait Of A Queen*/Alice In Jazzland*/Fantasies In Bloom*/Teatime Gavotte*. (*Resteamed CD - Alice in Jazzland) Stan Tracey Big Band - March 23rd, 1966 (Alice in Jazzland - Columbia SX6051, SXC6051) Kenny Baker, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Wally Smith, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Baker (as,cl), Alan Branscombe (as), Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Murdering The Time*/Summer Hallucinations* (no tp,tb)/Pig And Pepper* (Ronnie Scott, Stan Tracey, Jeff Clyne, Ronnie Stephenson only). (*Resteamed CD - Alice in Jazzland) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - May 10th and 12th, 1966 (100% Proof - Fontana TL5410) Kenny Baker, Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, Nat Peck, Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith (tb), Roy Willox, Ray Warleigh (as,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts,fl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Bob Efford (ts,oboe,fl,b-cl), Ronnie Ross (bs,b-cl), Gordon Beck (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Night In Tunisia*/Milestones*/Sonnymoon For Two*/Bluesology*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - May 13th, 1966 (100% proof - Fontana TL5410) Personnel as May 10th, 1966 except Harry Klein (bs) and Johnny Butts (d) replace Ronnie Ross and Ronnie Stephenson. Nutty*/100% Proof*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof) Tubby Hayes with the Les Condon Quartet - November 18th, 1966 (Jazz tete a tete - "77" LEU12/21) Les Condon (tp), Tubby Hayes (ts), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Matthewson (b), Tony Levin (d). Freedom Monday*/When My Baby Gets Mad-Everybody Split*. (other titles on this LP and CD by others). (*Harkit CD - Jazz Tete a Tete) Acker Bilk and the Stan Tracey Big Brass - January, 1968 (Blue Acker - Columbia TWO230) Kenny Wheeler, Ian Hamer, Derek Watkins, Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), Ian Carr (flh), Keith Christie, Don Lusher, Chris Pyne, Bobby Lamb, Chris Smith (tb), Acker Bilk (cl), Joe Harriott (as), Don Rendell (ts,sop), Tony Coe (ts), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Dave Green, Lennie Bush (b), Barry Morgan (d,perc). Royal Garden Blues/Stranger On The Shore/Festival Junction/Blues For Last Year/Tin Roof Blues/Baby Blues/blues For This Year/Mood Indigo. Ronnie Ross Sextet - June, 1968 (Cleopatra's Needle - Fontana SFJL915) Les Condon (tp), Ronnie Ross (bs), Art Ellefson (ts), Bill Le Sage (p,vib-1), Spike Heatley (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Dolphin Square/U69/Cleopatra's Needle/Stand By(1). Stan Tracey Big Brass - August 20th and 21st, 1968 (We Love You Madly - Columbia S(C)X 6320) Derek Watkins, Paul Tongay, Kenny Baker, Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), Ian Carr (flh-1), Keith Christie, Don Lusher, Chris Pyne, Bobby Lamb, Chris Smith (tb), Acker Bilk (cl-2), Joe Harriott (as-3), Don Rendell (sop-4,ts-5), Tony Coe (ts-6), Stan Tracey (p,arr,cond), Lennie Bush (b), Barry Morgan (d). Blue Feeling-1,2,3,5,6 /I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart/Passion Flower-4 /Lay-By-1,2,3,5,6 /I'm Beginning To See The Light-1 /In A Sentimental Mood-3 /Creole Love Call-2 /We Love You Madly. Ken Wheeler with the John Dankworth Orchestra - c1969 (Windmill Tilter - Fontana STL5494) Kenny Wheeler, Derek Watkins, Henry Shaw, Henry Lowther, Les Condon (tp), Chris Pyne, Mike Gibbs (tb), Johnny Dankworth, Ray Swinfield, Tony Robert, Tony Coe (saxes), Alf Reece, Dick Hart (tu), Bob Cornford, Alan Branscombe (p), John McLaughlin (g), Dave Holland (b), John Spooner (d), Tristan Fry (perc). Preamble/Don The Dreamer/Sweet Dulcinea Blue/Bachelor Sam/Sancho/The Cave Of Montesinos*/Propheticape/Altisidora/Don No More. (^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth) Johnny Dankworth Orchestra - c1970 (The $1,000,000 Collection - Fontana TL5445) Derek Watkins, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp,flhrn), Henry Lowther (cnt,vcl), Chris Pyne, Mike Gibbs (tb), Dick Hart (tu), Johnny Dankworth (as,arr), Ray Swinfield, Tony Roberts, Tony Coe, (reeds), Laurie Holloway or Alan Branscombe-1 (p), Kenny Napper (b), John Spooner (d), Tristan Fry (perc). Winter Scene^/Sailor/Two Piece Flower(1)/Little Girl In Blue/Composition With Colour/Face In A Crowd/La Clownesse/Garden Of Delight/Madonna^/Hogshead Of Hogarth(1). (Sepia RSCD 2018 - The $1,000,000 Collection) (^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth) Tony Kinsey Big Band - February 17th, 1974 (Thames suite - Spotlite SPJ504) Leon Calvert, Les Condon, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Dave Horler, Geoff Perkins, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (sop,as), Peter King (as), Jimmy Hastings, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Pat Smythe (el-p), Dick Abell (g), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d). Sunbury Seminar*/Chertsey Mead*/Kingston Reach*/Backwater*/Henley Ho*. (*Spotlite CD - Tony Kinsey: Thames Suite) Tony Kinsey Big Band - March 17, 1976 (Thames suite - Spotlite SPJ504) Tony Fisher, Les Condon, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Dave Horler, Bill Geldard, Maurice Pratt (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (sop,as), Peter King (as), Jimmy Hastings, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Pat Smythe (el-p), Louis Stewart (g), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d). Hard Times*/Cookham Bridge*/Beachey Head*/Good Friday*. (*Spotlite CD - Tony Kinsey: Thames Suite) |
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