Ken Mac
Journey to a Star, 1942
When Ken Mac made this recording, his singer was Poona-born Beryl Templeman. She spent her early life in England, before returning to India during the Second World War for what she imagined would be a short vacation. She stayed for seven years, touring India, Batavia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Back in England, she sang with Roy Fox’s band after the war. The male vocalist is Bob Parke.
A Journey to a Star by naresh.fernandes
The Taj Mahal Hotel Dance Orchestra
Chatanooga Choo Choo, 1942
Directed by Joe Theodore of Vile Parle, in northern Bombay, the Taj Mahal Hotel Dance Orchestra was largely staffed by Indians and played alongside the American bands that frequented the city in the 1940s. Joe Theodore and his three brothers – Harry, George and Bertie aka Lups – were mainstays of the Bombay jazz scene until the 1950s.
More about the Theodore brothers here.
Chatanoogachoochoo by naresh.fernandes
