Around 1941, George Evans formed his Saxes ‘n Sevens group . . . 3 altos, 4 tenors, and 4 rhythm. They played at the Embassy Club, New Bond Street, and appeared at the 1941 Jazz Jamboree. Nothing to do with classical music at all.

The pad included many of the earlier accepted jazz standards such as Sunny Side of the Street, Body and Soul, China Boy, Lover Come Back, Lady Be Good, Stardust, Blue Moon, Limehouse Blues, and many more.

The altos were Harry Hayes, Les Gilbert, Tommy Bradbury, the tenors, George, Andy McDevitt, E.O. (Poggy) Pogson and Jimmy Durrant. Bobby Midgeley, drums, Joe Deniz, guitar, Wilkie Davidson, bass, and either Ronnie Selby or George Shearing on piano. Some aggregation!

Later in 1945 when I formed my first of many so-called advanced ‘student-bands’ I borrowed all that library from George (I’ve still got all the parts), and I added arrangements of my own, Sophisticated Lady, Touch Of Your Lips, ‘C’]am Blues, Harlem Nocturn, At Last, Beautiful Love, etc.

In 1948, one such rehearsal-group of Saxes ‘n’ Sevens reached the M.M. All- Britain Finals in Manchester. I have found the programme and I see that... then in their semi-pro days... the Leader and first tenor was Pete King (later to become Ronnie Scott’s partner), first alto was Tony Arnopp (long-time lead alto with the BBC Radio Orchestra) and the superb Kenny Clare on drums. Played well.. . didn’t win!