While a number of British trad jazz players are fairly well-known in the US, Roger Marks is not one of them. He enjoys considerable acclaim in the UK, however, having formed his first Armada Jazz band in 1976 and having been been part of the jazz scene there ever since. His bands have appeared at many residencies (the weekly one at The Odd Wheel, Wembury, Plymouth, lasting some eighteen years!) and issued numerous recordings over the years, most on his own Leap Frog labelThe tunes on these tracks are almost all standards with the exception, perhaps, of “Jump in the Line.” We might also include in this category “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön”—a number that is more likely to be found in the repertoire of a swing band such as the Benny Goodman Orchestra—and “Marie Elaine” (an interesting anglicization of the usual “Maria Elena”)—a tune favored by Latin groups such as Xavier Cugat’s, big bands such as Tommy Dorsey’s, or singers such as Nat King Cole. But the majority of the tracks are trad war horses.
This latest Marks CD issue from Upbeat Recordings may help dispel some of the obscurity. It consists of some 13 tracks, all recorded at The Odd Wheel in 2006-2007. With their reissue here on the Upbeat Recordings label, perhaps Marks and the Armada Jazz Band will come within the ken of more people.
The tunes on these tracks are almost all standards with the exception, pe
