Some Auckland dance bands of the 1920's to 1950's

These photographs were in an old family album belonging to my aunt Mrs Jean Victoria Smithson 1918-2009 whose husband Cyril 1908-84, was a drummer in several Auckland bands.  Names and notes were left with most of the photos and these are included to the best of my interpretation.  Usually from left to right - back first then front.
1926-27  Boston Dance Band  - First Band 1YA Radio (no pay) - Ray Marsden piano - Jack Roberts banjo - Allan Hills trumpet - Cyril Smithson drums - Atholl Marsden sax - Ken Scott sax  (Original 15 x 20)

1928-29  Bendall's Collegians - St Seps school hall.
Allan Hills trumpet - Jack Riley sax - Bob Francis trombone - Gordon Carnes banjo - Buster Lees bass
Alec Koznoff sax -  Dick Saron trumpet - Edgar Bendall leader piano - Joe Adams sax - Cyril Smithson drums - (Original 15 x 20) by Belwood Studios Auckland

1936 - 13 June - Civic Theatre - Desmond Tanner stage band 19 members - not all names recorded.
Jack Thompson piano - Desmond Tanner piano accordion - Ted Bull bass - Ray Sinclair Trombone - Hugh Tatton trumpet - Chip Healy sax leader - Gordon Lanigan sax - Baden Brown sax - Lew Paul vocal & sax -  Bernie Holland violin - Cyril Smithson drums.  More an orchestra than a band - that harp and violins - (Original 8 x 13)

1944 Metropole Cabaret - Edna Dowden - Billy Elder trumpet - Norm Edgerton sax - Leo Williams standing MC - Cyril Smithson drums - Wilf Smithson bass  (Original 8 x 13)

1950's - Ted Croad band - photo by A N Breckon, Northcote
Marj Simms piano - unknown xylophone - Flo White vocal - Bob Ewing bass - Ted Croad leader - Ed Croad junior drums - Tom Simpson sax - Bob Keach trumpet - Vern Wilson trumpet - Gordon Lanigan sax - Neil Neckson trumpet - Len Lanigan sax - Norm Volkner trombone - Alby Blundell trombone - Jim Waters sax. (Original 15 x 20)

1950s early - Ernie Buller's band Waihi - photo #B50-30 by C Malcolm Regal Studios Waihi.
Pat Walker sax - Ernie Buller sax and leader - Cyril Smithson drums - Bunny Gardener trumpet - Spike Donovan bass - unknown lady vocalist - Jim McQueen piano. (Original 8 x 13)

1955 New Years Day Ernie Buller's band Waihi - photo #B81-7 by C Malcolm Regal Studios Waihi.
Andy Healy sax - Spike Donovan bass - Jimmy Johnson sax - Cyril Smithson drums - Ernie Buller sax leader standing, - Jim McQueen piano - Bunny Gardener trumpet - Pat Whitcombe vocal. (Original 8 x 13)

Waihi cabaret premises  circa mid 1950's - 620 snap

 
Edgar Bendall's Collegians 1925 from NZ National Library

Here is a 1945 photo of   Ted Croads band from the NZ National Library - looks like the same venue  as my photo above guessed to be 1950's.

End 8 October 2013   I can be found on wshblog2013 (you know the atsign) warwickhughes.com