THE COOPER ALLEN MUSIC ARCHIVE

 

The Music of Portsmouth in 1951

January 1st 1951 - Teddy Hank's Band play at St Michael's Church Hall, Paulsgrove.
 
January 2nd 1951 - At the Embassy Ballroom, Roy Richards Mayfair Music plays for dancing.
 
January 3rd 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at Kimbells, Osborne Road.
 
January 5th 1951 - Sid Phillips and his Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Teddy Hank's Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
 
January 6th 1951 - Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the South Parade Pier, where Wally Fry and his Collegians are again in residency. Benny Freedman's Orchestra again this year, resident at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
January 8th 1951 - Dancing to Kay O'Dee Quartet, at Drayton Institute, in aid of the PDSA.
 
January 9th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom, North End, each week.
 
January 10th 1951 - Son of Florence Greaves, the Portsmouth singer (in private life, Mrs. Primmer) Mr. Brian Primmer makes his concert debut as a pianist at Portsmouth High School for Girls, The St Cecelia Singers add to the vocal side of the program. Mr. Frank Hurlock gives a talk at the RDS Jazz Club, entitled Hurlocks Dixieland Jazz band. A fictitious story about the progress of a jazz group, illustrated with recordings of New Orleans and Chicago jazzmen.
 
January 12th 1951 - Harry Roy and his Famous Dance Orchestra, with Johnny Green, Eve Lombard, Maurice Sterndale, The Royalists, and the Leicester Square Raggers, play at the Savoy Ballroom. Mr. E Voke gives a recital on record at the RDS Jazz Club. The Teddy Hanks Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
 
January 13th 1951 - Alf Gee and his Music have their Grand Farewell night at the Empress Ballroom. Bill Cole is elected President, Ted Piggott secretary, and Frank Hurlock treasurer, at the inaugural meeting of the Portsmouth Progressive Music Club.
 
January 19th 1951 - Eric Winstone and his Orchestra, plus the Hedley Ward Trio, play at the South Parade Pier. Although the Evening News did not mention it, this date made the front page of the Melody Maker on 20th January. The reason was that the Squadronaires had originally been booked but this would have breached a barring clause in the contract they had signed when playing at the Savoy before Christmas. This clause barred the band from appearing locally within 8 weeks of that date. The Corporation backed down and hired Winstone at very short notice. Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Mr. F H Hurlock, the retiring President of the Portsmouth Jazz Club, is made life Vice President. New president is Mr. J H Galpin, Secretary Mr. L M Dury, Treasurer Mr. E H Wenham.
 
January 20th 1951 - Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom. St Phillips Boys Club at Cosham give a Concert, one name mentioned was M L Trevaskis.
 
January 22nd 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, Leslie Sarony and Macari with Dutch Serenaders appear.
 
January 23rd 1951 - Embassy Ballroom band leader Roy Richards advertises for a girl singer in the Evening News.
 
January 25th 1951 - Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
January 26th 1951 - At a Ball held in Southsea of the Hants and Dorset branch of the Electrical Industries Benevolent Association, music and entertainment was provided by Sim Grossman's band and cabaret from Bert Wright and Zena, the agile ancient and his girl friend, also local boy whistler Bobby Collins.
 
January 27th 1951 - At the Embassy, Roy Richards new girl singer is announced. At the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, music from Bert Harman and his Band.
 
January 29th 1951 - At the Portsmouth No 2 British Legion club 1st dinner and dance, the MC for dancing was Mr. Renouf and the music was supplied by Mrs. E Leale of Copnor.
 
January 30th 1951 - At the Club Dixie meeting at the Old Countryman in Thomas street, there was a talk by Mr. D Toms about a survey of English jazz.
 
January 31st 1951 - The Portsmouth Police Choir present "a program of Music" at the Wesley Central Hall.
 
February 1st 1951 - Alf Hallman and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom for the National Association of Nursery Nurses Grand Dance.
 
February 2nd 1951 - At the South Parade Pier, The Famous Dutch Ramblers play for dancing. Oscar Rabin and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Empress Ballroom, a cabaret floor show is given by local girl Sylvia Gusman. Bert Harman and his Band play at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road. At the Drayton Institute, Key O'Dee and her Players provide music for dancing, with MC Mrs. Pocklington, in aid of Dr Barnardos Homes.
 
February 4th 1951 - Long playing record recital at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, with music of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.
 
February 6th 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, Sam Costa plus Sid Millward and his Nitwits.
 
February 8th 1951 - At the Embassy, a Meet the Services Ball, with a floor show from local girl Sylvia Gusman.
 
February 9th 1951 - Freddy Randall and his band appear at the Savoy Ballroom. Ivy Benson and her all girl Orchestra, incorporating The Rumbaleros, play at the South Parade Pier. A men's knobbly knee contest and the Teddy Hanks Hot Club De Forrester's Band, at the Forrester's Hall. The Kay O'Dee String Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
February 12th 1951 - A concert at the Dockyard Club, a variety entertainment included master Graham Hunt who performed on the drums.
 
February 13th 1951 - Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Empress Ballroom, Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play for dancing.
 
February 16th 1951 - Joe Loss and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the South Parade Pier, Tito Burns and his Sextet with Terry Devon, plus Cab Kaye and his Cabinettes play for dancing. Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
February 17th 1951 - At a charity dance at St Mary's Institute, the MC was Pompey centre forward Ike Clarke. Alf Gee and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier with Wally Fry and his Collegians. The Portsmouth Arts Recorder Group lead by Mr. T Drage, give a performance including the music of Handel and Haydn at the Milton Music Society meeting.
 
February 18th 1951 - The first of the municipal concerts at the Kings Theatre, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf sings with the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra.
 
February 19th 1951 - Dorothy Squires and Saveen with Daisy May appear at the Theatre Royal.
 
February 20th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
February 21st 1951 - Members at the Club Dixie meeting elect Humphrey Lyttleton as their President. At the Victory Hall Fratton Road, Doris Westaway's Band play for an old time dance.
 
February 22nd 1951 - For the British Railways Staff Masked Ball at the South Parade Pier, Leonard Leslie's Band provide music for old time, and Billy Bennett's Band provide the modern. Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
February 23rd 1951 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Harry Gold and his Piece of Eight play for dancing. Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play for dancing on the South Parade Pier. Reg Bannistra and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
March 2nd 1951 - The Squadronaires play at the South Parade Pier. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Airspeed Singers, conducted by Mirian Duncan, give a concert at London Road Baptist Church, Portsmouth.
 
March 3rd 1951 - Kay O'Dee and her Players play at Drayton institute for a PDSA old time dance.
 
March 6th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
March 7th 1951 - The Milton Glee Club give a concert at the Wesley Central Hall for the Portsmouth Voluntary Association for the Blind
 
March 9th 1951 - Ray Ellington and his Quartet play at the South Parade Pier. Billy Ternent and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham. Bill Cole and his Clubmen play at the Forrester's hall Fratton Road.
 
March 12th 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, Harry Secombe in Radio's 1951 Star Parade.
 
March 13th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Band play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
March 14th 1951 - Reg Bannistra and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom. Doris Westaway and her band play at the Victory Hall Fratton Road.
 
March 15th 1951 - The Portsmouth Glee Club celebrates it's 21st Birthday. The Portsmouth Military Band have been in existence for two years.
 
March 16th 1951 - Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Teddy Hanks Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
 
March 17th 1951 - At the Wesley Central Hall a concert of Teenage Talent, featuring Colin Courtney(Clarinet) and the Portsmouth Young People's String Orchestra.
 
March 19th 1951 - Norman Loades and his DECSA Boys provide the music for a dancing at the Dockyard Establishments Central Sports Association dance in Southsea. Max Wall was MC for a time. All this week, trumpeter Kenny Baker and his band play at the South Parade Pier.
 
March 22nd 1951 - The Portsmouth Choral Union perform Handel's Messiah, their 57th annual performance, at the Portsmouth Northern Grammar School. Nat Allen and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
March 23rd 1951 - The Creation was performed by the Portsmouth Glee Club at London Road, Baptist Church.
 
March 24th 1951 - Gordon Banner plays the Wonder Hammond Organ in the South Parade Pier Cafe. Kenny Baker and his Band play South Parade Pier.
 
March 26th 1951 - Cab Kaye and his Cabinets play on South Parade Pier. also Teddy Hanks Band play St Michael's Church Hall Paulsgrove.
 
March 29th 1951 - The Crane River Boys, Britain's newest jazz sensation, play at the Savoy Ballroom. After a demonstration of novelty sequence "Tea for two" Charleston Dance by Mr. G B Turner and Miss Ivy Hadley at the Savoy Ballroom, a mixed Charleston competition was held.
 
March 30th 1951 - For their Ladies Night, Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
March 31st 1951 - George Evans and his Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
April 3rd 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, The Five Smith Brothers entertain.
 
April 6th 1951 - Ted Heath and his Music play the Savoy Ballroom. Teddy Hank's Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road for a special teenagers dance. The Lord Mayor's ball was held at the South Parade Pier with music from the Collegians Dance Orchestra, with a cabaret by the Five Smith Brothers.
 
April 7th 1951 - At a Sisterhood Meeting in the Ebeneza Hall Twyford Avenue, Mrs Powe sang solos accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Tibbles.
 
April 9th 1951 - Portsmouth singer Reg Wassell, gives a talk entitled Music in the home for the Workers Educational Association at Cosham Park House. At the Theatre Royal, Highlights of Radio, with Lester Ferguson, Max Wall and Semprini.
 
April 12th 1951 - Harry Davidson and his BBC Broadcasting Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Billy Bennett's band and Leonard Leslie's Band play on South Parade Pier for the British Railways Staff Carnival Ball.
 
April 13th 1951 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Jan Ralfini and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier, plus Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra and Wally Fry and his Collegians. Kay O'Dee Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
April 15th 1951 - Cyril Rice and the Gosport and Fareham Accordion band entertain at the RAFA Club, Cosham.
 
April 16th 1951 - Kay O'Dee Quartet play at the Forrester's Hall, Fratton Road. The Atom Rays Variety Show visit St James Hospital to entertain the patients. Those involved were the Rays Trio, Ted, George and John, Joan Garratt, Jack Edwards, Anne Ransom, Roy Seed, Eileen, Paul Ashton, Rene Fuller, Olive Cooper. Compared and produced by Glen Shelvington. The Lyric Quintet, Jean Casey, Marie Scholley, Connie Goble, Keith Casey and Alfred Corbett, sing to the Portsmouth Music Club.
 
April 20th 1951 - Oscar Rabin and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Ray Ellington and his Quartette play at the South Parade Pier.
 
April 21st 1951 - The Portsmouth Glee Club present a concert with Max Jaffa, Reginald Kilbey, Jack Byfield and Helen Hill, plus full chorus, at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road.
 
April 22nd 1951 - The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Major F Vivian Dunn, give a concert at the Theatre Royal.
 
April 27th 1951 - Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Lew Stone and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier.
 
May 2nd 1951 - Gordon Banner and his £3,000 wonder Hammond Organ playing on South Parade Pier, stage a series of talent contests, at almost the same time as the Savoy run theirs. Dick Whichello's Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Musical Festival takes place at the Buckland Congregational Church. The Bullin Cup was won by Mr. Stanley Matthews and his wife Rosalind in the Duet class. He was previously pianist at the Wellington Hall, Southsea.
 
May 4th 1951 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
May 6th 1951 - Gosport Municipal Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
May 7th 1951 - At The Empire Theatre, the Famous All Coloured Revue, Harlem comes to town.
 
May 10th 1951 - Ronnie Hancox and his Band play at the Embassy Ballroom.
 
May 11th 1951 - Johnny Dankworth and his Seven, play at the Savoy Ballroom. Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Clarence Pier Pavilion Ballroom, Jack Lennox and his New Style Quintet play for dancing.
 
May 12th 1951 - Eugene and his Serenaders start their summer season of concerts and play on the deck of South Parade Pier.
 
May 13th 1951 - Sid Phillips and his Band play on South Parade Pier.
 
May 14th 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, Donald Peers sings.
 
May 15th 1951 - Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
May 16th 1951 - Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
May 18th 1951 - Joe Daniels and his Hot Shots play at the Savoy Ballroom. Reg Pursglove and his Music Makers play at South Parade Pier.
 
May 20th 1951 - Hastings Girls Choir appear at the South Parade Pier.
 
May 21st 1951 - Freddie March and the Pompey Revellers gave a concert at the Fratton British Legion in aid of HMS Affray. Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
May 25th 1951 - Freddy Randall and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Tito Burns and his Sextet play at South Parade Pier. Finale night for the Alf Hallman Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom.
 
May 26th 1951 - Reg Bannistra and his Music start their season at the Empress Ballroom.
 
May 27th 1951 - Gracie Fields and the Gosport Orchestra appear at the Kings Theatre. Sid Millward and Wally Stewart are at the South Parade Pier.
 
May 28th 1951 - At the Theatre Royal, The Deep River Boys, Winifred Atwell and Betty Driver appear.
 
May 29th 1951 - Leonard Leslie and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
May 30th 1951 - Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 2nd 1951 - Jack Simpson and his Radio Sextet, featuring Rita Williams, play on South Parade Pier. Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 4th 1951 - to 7th Portsmouth Schools Massed Concerts take place at the Gymnasium in the Royal Naval Barracks.
 
June 8th 1951 - Oscar Rabin and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 10th 1951 - An afternoon broadcast concert by the BBC West of England Light Orchestra as they play at South Parade Pier. The same night, Bob and Alf Pearson and the Geoff Love Sextet appear.
 
June 12th 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 13th 1951 - At St Patrick's Institute, Winter Road, a performance by Madam Canaway's Attractive Juveniles.
 
June 14th 1951 - At the South Parade Pier, 'Show Time' with Alfred Marks and Jack Jackson.
 
June 15th 1951 - The Crane River Boys play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 17th 1951 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at South Parade Pier.
 
June 20th 1951 - A Festival of Britain Concert at the Royal Naval Barracks Portsmouth included the combined orchestras of HM Royal Marines, The Portsmouth Bach Society and the Emsworth and District Choral Society.
 
June 22nd 1951 - Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 24th 1951 - The Ray Ellington Quartet appear on South Parade Pier.
 
June 28th 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
June 29th 1951 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 1st 1951 - At the South Parade Pier, Tito Burns and his Sextet with Terry Devon, and also the Hedley Ward Trio, play.
 
July 2nd 1951 - At the Kings Theatre, The Chocolate Soldier, musical.
 
July 6th 1951 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 7th 1951 - Graham Leslie and his Orchestra playing for a Dinner and Dance at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea. Maurice Winnick's Exhibition Orchestra play twice daily on the Castle Field all this week at the Portsmouth and Southsea Trades Fair.
 
July 8th 1951 - Radio Star Derek Roy and accordionist Del Mondi and harmonica player Tommy Reilly appear at the South Parade Pier.
 
July 10th 1951 - Madam Canaway's Attractive Juveniles perform at the Tramway Hall, North End.
 
July 11th 1951 - A concert party by the Good Companions, from Gosport, at St Faith's Hall, gained £14 for the HMS Affray fund.
 
July 12th 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 13th 1951 - At the Portsmouth and Southsea Trades Fair and Exposition on the Castle Field, Ambrose's Festival Band play twice daily.
 
July 14th 1951 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 16th 1951 - At the Theatre Royal Hill Billy Ragtime with Morton Frasers Harmonica Gang. Harmonica Club meets every Wednesday at 149 New Road.
 
July 20th 1951 - Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz Group at the Savoy Ballroom, 3/-d admission. Kay O'Dee and her String Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
July 22nd 1951 - The George Mitchell Choir sing on South Parade Pier.
 
July 25th 1951 - the Portsmouth Musical Festival Garden Party and Concert takes place at 'Longbarn' Portsdown Hill Road, and features, The Cecelia Singers, a recorder ensemble, Madame Courtney's Accordion Orchestra, and St Mary's Hospital nurses choir. The Merry Mascots are in concert at the Winchester College Mission Hall, Rudmore Road, opposite Air Balloon.
 
July 26th 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 27th 1951 - Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
July 28th 1951 - Accordion Day at the Wesley Central Hall competing for the Southern Area Championship, followed by an evening concert by world famous accordionist Toralf Tollofsen.
 
July 30th 1951 - On South Parade Pier, an appearance of Vanessa Lee and the Gosport Municipal Orchestra.
 
August 2nd 1951 - Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
August 3rd 1951 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
August 5th 1951 - The Squadronaires Dance Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
August 6th 1951 - The National light Opera Company present Chu Chin Chow at the Kings Theatre. At the Theatre Royal, Randle's Scandals of 1951 includes Jimmy Clitheroe and a 50 strong Daganham Girl Pipers.
 
August 8th 1951 - The Portsmouth Music Club meet at the Central Library lecture hall for a program of classical music.
 
August 10th 1951 - Jazz Band Ball at the Savoy Ballroom with music from Humphrey Lyttleton, Mike Daniels, Chris Barber, Mick Milligan and Benny Freedman's assorted bands.
 
August 14th 1951 - At the Kings Theatre, from Drury Lane, Oklahoma.
 
August 16th 1951 - Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
August 17th 1951 - Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
August 23rd 1951 - Joe Daniels and his Jazz group play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Kay O'Dee Players play a the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
August 29th 1951 - Roy Fox and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom. At the Conservative Hall Fratton Road, The Four Aces Dance Band play for dancing.
 
August 30th 1951 - Dick Whichello and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Monday to Friday at the Embassy Ballroom, Teddy Wilcox and his Music featuring the Clavioline.
 
August 31st 1951 - Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Kay O'Dee Players play the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
September 2nd 1951 - Morton Fraser's Harmonica Rascals, plus the Four Aces, perform on South Parade Pier.
 
September 7th 1951 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
September 9th 1951 - Big Bill Campbell and his Mountain Music appear on South Parade Pier.
 
September 14th 1951 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
September 15th 1951 - Roy Richards and his Newly Augmented Orchestra play nightly from today at Kimbells Clifton Ballroom.
 
September 18th 1951 - At the Kings Theatre, Ivor Novello's Kings Rhapsody.
 
September 21st 1951 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
1951 -September 22nd A Festival Of Britian Autumn Concert at the Wesley Central Hall by the Portsmouth Philharmonic Society features a program of popular classics. Farewell night at the Embassy Ballroom for Teddy Wilcox and his Band.
 
September 23rd 1951 - Violinist Campoli and the Gosport Municipal Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
September 24th 1951 - The Portsmouth Players present Goodnight Vienna at the South Parade Pier. At the Kings Theatre for a second week, Ivor Novello's Kings Rhapsody. Doris Westaway's Broadway Orchestra play for dancing at Drayton Institute.
 
September 26th 1951 - New band at the Embassy Ballroom, Jimmy Luff and his Embassy Band. Billy Burkett and his Sextet play at the Hilsea Lido.
 
September 27th 1951 - At St Peter's Church Hall, the Merry Mascots entertain.
 
September 28th 1951 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Kay O'Dee Players provide the music at the RAFA Club Cosham.
 
September 30th 1951 - Tito Burns and his Sextet play on South Parade Pier also Bobby Collins, Portsmouth's own whistler.
 
October 1st 1951 - Roy Richards and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom for a Royal Marines dance.
 
October 3rd 1951 - At St Peter's Church Hall, the Merry Mascots entertain.
 
October 5th 1951 - Billy Ternent and his Broadcasting Band play at the South Parade Pier. Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
October 6th 1951 - At the Wesley Central Hall, The Portsmouth Glee Club, for their 21st birthday, perform Merrie England. Farewell dance at the Empress Ballroom to Reg Bannistra and his Music.
 
October 8th 1951 - Alf Hallman and his band take up residency at the Empress Ballroom, North End.
 
October 10th 1951 - The Broadway Trio Band play at the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road.
 
October 11th 1951 - For the British Railways Staff dance on the South Parade Pier, Leonard Leslie's Band and Billy Bennett's Band play for dancing. The first of four musical evenings arranged by the Portsdown Music Guild, featured The Portsmouth Young people's String Orchestra, and vocalist Joan Reynolds and violinist Trevor Clark, in a program of classical music.
 
October 12th 1951 - The Johnny Dankworth Seven play at the South Parade Pier. Joe Loss and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. St Saviour's Hall, Stamshaw re-opens for dances every Friday, Teddy Hanks Band play.
 
October 13th 1951 - Ad in the Evening News, Cyril Brown, Tenor/alto Clari violin now free for gigs, tele 4760, 31 Fraser Road, Southsea.
 
October 15th 1951 - The Milton Glee Club present an evening of 'Melody and Song' at the Eastney Central Hall.
 
October 18th 1951 - Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
October 19th 1951 - The Squadronaires play at the South Parade Pier. Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
October 20th 1951 - 13 year old Joan St Paul of 59, Commercial Road, an accomplished accordionist and vibraphonist, impresses talent scout Hughie Green with her 'Flight of the bumble bee' and passes her radio audition.
 
October 23rd 1951 - A party at Chapman's Hall, Kingston Crescent, entertainment for 130 Rudmore children included Mavis Butler's Dancers, and Portsmouth's youngest soprano, Maureen age 14. Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
October 25th 1951 - Every Thursday, The Ruby Restall Trio play for dancing at St Mary's Institute.
 
October 26th 1951 - Oscar Rabin and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Eric Winstone and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier. The 'Starlets' give a variety concert at the Tramways Hall North End. The Merry Mascots perform their variety show at All Saints Hall, Portsmouth.
 
October 27th 1951 - At the Central Hall Fratton, the Orpheus Singers perform.
 
October 29th 1951 - The Airspeed Singers give a concert at the Eastney Central Hall.
 
November 1st 1951 - Three jazz bands at the South Parade Pier include, Mike Daniels and his Delta Jazz Men, Charles Galbraith and his Jazz Stompers, and Cy Lawrie and his Group.
 
November 2nd 1951 - Ted Heath and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Roy Bridger and his Sextet play at Unity Hall, St John's Road. The Teddy Hanks Band play at St Saviours Church Hall Stamshaw.
 
November 6th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
November 7th 1951 - The Broadway Orchestra play for dancing at the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road.
 
November 9th 1951 - Teddy Foster and his Radio band play at the Savoy Ballroom. Harry Roy and his Band play on South Parade Pier. Jimmy Luff's Band play at the Embassy Ballroom.
 
November 10th 1951 - At the Northern Grammar School Hall, the Portsmouth Choral Union with Phyllis Mander and Harold Williams present Purcell's 'Dido and Aenaes'.
 
November 12th 1951 - Johnny Lyne and his music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
November 13th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
November 14th 1951 - The Black and White Quintet entertained an audience of blind people at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road.
 
November 15th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier. Dancing to the Ruby Restall Trio at St Mary's Institute, Fratton Road. The Airspeed Choir give a concert at the Devonshire Avenue Baptist Church, under their conductor Mirian Duncan and accompanist Olive Tree.
 
November 16th 1951 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom. Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier.
 
November 22nd 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier for the British Railways Staff Carnival Ball along with Billy Bennett's Band, which features Charles 'Chiz' Bishop, 24 year old winner of two Great Britain Accordion Championships.
 
November 23rd 1951 - Reg Bannistra's and his Music play at the Embassy Ballroom with resident Jimmy Luff Band. Ralph Sharon and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
November 24th 1951 - The Portsmouth Glee Club is 21 years old. Ad in the Evening News, Variety Artistes available for Christmas festivities, Star Makers, 27 Shaftesbury Road Southsea. Band leader, Jimmy Harris plays the Grand piano at the Harvest Home Lounge in Copnor Road, and will do so each evening.
 
November 26th 1951 - Ad in the evening New, Talent Contest, details, Star Makers Productions, 27 Shaftesbury Ave Southsea. Roy Richards Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
November 27th 1951 - The Masters Orchestra play at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road. A section of the Portsmouth Glee Club, conductor Harold Hall, entertained at the Portsmouth Music Club.
 
November 29th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
November 30th 1951 - Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Joe Daniels and his All Star Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
 
December 1st 1951 - Roy Richards Band play at Kimbells Clifton Ballroom.
 
December 5th 1951 - Ad in the Evening News, Second Hand Pianos our Specialty, Haskell & Green 243 Lake Road. The Broadway Trio play at the Victory Hall Fratton Road.
 
December 7th 1951 - Freddie Randell and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Ray Ellington Quartet play at the South Parade Pier, also Gordon Banner at the organ.
 
December 8th 1951 - The Portsmouth Glee Club, with guest artistes Gwen Catley and Wilfred Parry give a Christmas Concert at the Wesley Central Hall Fratton Road. At the RAFA Club Cosham music from Kay O'Dee's Players.
 
December 11th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
December 12th 1951 - A recital at Buckland Congregational Church in Queens Road by Carl Dolmetsch (recorder) and Joseph Saxby.
 
December 13th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at South Parade Pier. Roy Richards and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Maureen Beazley of 25, Ivy Street, Southsea, who is a member of the local 'Frivolities Concert Party', has been chosen to play the lead in the chorus of Tom Arnold's panto 'Puss in Boots' at a Leeds Theatre.
 
December 14th 1951 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. The Portsmouth Music Guild give a Choral and Instrumental concert at Christ Church Hall, Widley with vocals from Florence Graves and the Ernest Barr Trio, including Stanley Matthews (piano).
 
December 15th 1951 - The full orchestra and chorus of the Portsmouth Coral Union sing Carols and Christmas Music at the Northern Grammar School Hall.
 
December 17th 1951 - The Embassy Ballroom, under entirely new management, re-opens after redecoration, with two new bands, Eric Winstone and his Orchestra and Frank Abbott and his Orchestra.
 
December 18th 1951 - At the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, The Masters Orchestra play for dancing. Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom, with MC Donald Mack.
 
December 20th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier. New resident band, Frank Abbott and his Broadcasting Orchestra, featuring vocalist Walter Russell, play at the Embassy Ballroom.
 
December 21st 1951 - Kay O'Dee and her Players perform at the RAFA Club Cosham. Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. Roy Bridger and his Sextet play at Unity Hall, St John's Road.
 
December 25th 1951 - The South Parade Pier was filled with dancers and at about 9.15pm and an exceptionally powerful gust of wind lifted part of the zinc sheeting from the arcade roof, no one was hurt.
 
December 27th 1951 - Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
 
December 28th 1951 - Teddy Foster and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
 
December 31st 1951 - At the Clarence Pier, Eddie Carroll and his Sextet play for dancing with a midnight cabaret from 'Fayne and Evans'. Graham Leslie's Dance Orchestra play at the Royal Beach Hotel. At the Savoy Ballroom, Benny Freedman's Band are supported by broadcasting organist Charles Smitten.
 

NOTE: This is an edited version of Mick Cooper's research. The full version can be found at Mick Cooper's website