[Dixielandjazz] Archie Semple (was Music Requests)

[Bill Haesler]

> Does anyone on the list have information about Archie  Semple. He played
clarinet with The Alex Welsh Band. I have done some  research and have
recordings but there are few details of this distinctive  player.<

Dear Jeff,
Archie Semple, clarinet.
Born Edinburgh, Scotland, 31 March 1928.
Royal Navy (1946-48).
Led Escom Jazz Band [later to become Capitol Stompers/Jazzmen] in Edinburgh
(1949-1952).
Joined Mick Mulligan in 1952. With Freddy Randall (Jan 1953-Aug 1954),
Norman Cave's band (late 1954) then Alex Welsh (Feb 1955-March 1963) apart
from illness (Jan-July 1959).
Led own 4tet briefly, took ill again July 193. Led own band again until
early 1964 when health problems forced him into retirement.
Died, London, England, 26 January 1974.
(Info from John Chilton's 'Who's Who'.)

Recordings (I have details):
1952    Capitol Jazzmen
1953    Humphrey Lyttelton - unissued?
1953    Freddy Randall
1955-64    Alex Welsh
1958    Nat Gonella
Own bands 1958/59/60/62/63
1959    Acker Bilk; Terry Lightfoot; Sandy Brown
1961    Big Ben Dixieland Band

Kind regards,
Bill.