Daly-Wilson Big Band -

The Daly-Wilson Big Band was an Australian hard-bop/jazz-funk ensemble led by drummer Warren Daly and trumpeter–trombonist Ed Wilson. The band debuted with the 1971 Columbia release Live at the Cellblock, followed by five albums through 1978 on Festival, Reprise, and Hammard.

Members: Warren Daly (drums), Ed Wilson (trumpet, trombone, arranger), Dieter Vogt (bass), Ray Alridge (keyboards), Col Nolan (keyboards), Graeme Lyall (horns), Bob McIvor, Tony Buchanan (horns), Kerrie Biddell (vocals), Marcia Hines (vocals), Ricky May (vocals), Don Raverty (trumpet), Norm Harris (trumpet), Lary Elam (trumpet), Warren Clarke (trumpet), Charles Hull (keyboards), Pat Crichton (trumpet), Herbie Cannon (trombone), Merv Knott (trombone), Peter Scott (trombone), Doug Foskett (saxophone), Paul Long (saxophone), John Mitchell (saxophone), Bob Pritchard (saxophone), John Helman (bass), Dave Donovan (guitar)

Background

Daly-Wilson Big Band formed in February 1969 in Sydney when drummer Warren Daly and trombonist-arranger Ed Wilson revived an earlier rehearsal-band partnership. Daly met Wilson in 1958 at Rivoli dance hall in Hurstville.

Daly began paid work on drums at church dances at age thirteen and moved through the Max Hamilton Group, Rod Stevens & The Ramblers, and The Steeds. He rehearsed with the Lance Prewitt Band and gigged with the Billy Weston Big Band and the Gus Merzi Band, the latter a house act at the Sydney night spots Romanos and Spellsons. Daly also performed at the El Rocco in a group with saxophonist Graeme Lyall, pianist Col Nolan, and bassist Ron Carson.

In 1966, Channel 10 musical director Jack Grimsley hired Daly for the Sydney television station orchestra. From there, Daly embarked on 1967 tour of the United States with the Kirby Stone Four. Daly moved from the vocal group to Si Zentner Orchestra and the Buddy DeFranco-led Glenn Miller Band, which took him through the United States, Japan, and Korea.

Wilson trained on piano and moved to brass, with trumpet work at Rivoli by the late Fifties. He formed an earlier rehearsal big band with Dick Bowden, where Daly gained experience with large-ensemble charts. Wilson joined ABC Dance Band under conductor Jim Gussey in 1966 and subsequently worked with Sydney Symphony and Geoff Harvey Channel 9 house band.

Daly and Wilson rehearsed the new group for six months at Stage Club on Cleveland Street. Trumpeter Don Raverty joined the co-leaders as business manager and partner. Daly and Wilson summoned Nolan for a big band with bassist Ford Raye, guitarist Ned Sutherland, percussionist Mark Bowden, and multiple trombonists (George Brodbeck, John Costelloe, Merv Knott), saxophonists (Doug Foskett, Col Loughnan, Lee Hutchings, Tony Buchanan), and trumpeters (Don Raverty, Kel Drady, Bernie Wilson, Dieter Vogt, Bob Barnard).

Daly-Wilson made a public debut at Stage Club in August 1969 with singer Ricky May. The band played Musicians’ Club two weeks afterward and drew 3,000 people at an early Roundhouse concert at University of New South Wales. Mike Perjanik produced the September 1970 Cell Block Theatre concert that became Columbia debut Live at the Cellblock.

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