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Albert Allrick Bowlly Biography

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Albert Allick Bowlly was born in Mozambique on January 7th, 1899. His Lebanese mother and Greek father met on board a ship bound for Australia and destiny. The couple were married in Perth Cathedral and soon departed to Southern Africa where Al's formative years took on a veneer of cosmopolitan edge. Al possessed the talents of an 'out of this world' singer and instrumentalist, delighting in a semi-professional entertainer status. He was the United Kingdom's answer to Russ Columbo, Rudy Valee and most enduringly, Bing Crosby on this side of the pond, America. Al's most important affiliation was with Ray Noble's orchestra. Early on in his career, Al was spotted by Edgar Adeler, one of South Africa's top bandleaders. Al was given the …show more content…

Eventually, a circuitous route through Rhodesia, East Africa, the Far East and the Indian sub-continent, would find him that much closer to England. During this period of time, Al and Adeler parted ways and finally re-united in the jazz capital of Europe, Berlin during 1927. Al's stay in Berlin, which lasted about one year, was a pivotal stage in his career. It was here that his first vocal records were made. He recorded as a soloist and with jazz bands, some of which were led by John Abriani and Arthur Briggs. The fever to continue onward to London remained Al's, as yet, unquenched …show more content…

The Savoy Hotel bandleader, Fred Elizalde, needed a singer for his band and Len remembered Al. It is reported, through a series of communications between the two friends, Al sent his recording of 'Muddy Water' to Elizalde. The bandleader was so greatly impressed that he immediately sent Al his fare and he was off to London....eventually. The year that followed his arrival was dismal. However, the 1930s brought a re-birth to Al's career. Al pursued free-lance recording work with a wide variety of bands on a wide variety of record labels. During 1931 and 1932, it is reported that he made hundreds of records. As the decade of the 1930s came to a close, Al received two career changing 'breaks'. Al began recording with Ray Noble's of the Noble's HMV house band, also known as The New Mayfair Dance Orchestra. In the ensuing years, Al had sung on the greater majority of Ray Noble's records including memorable and classic performances such as "The Very Thought Of You", "Goodnight, Sweetheart" and "Love is The Sweetest Thing". The second boon for Al arrived when he signed up with Roy Fox and his new recording band for Decca. Soon, Al and the band found themselves in Piccadilly known as The Monseigneur Restaurant. Both the restaurant and its band were a near over night success. Thereafter, steady radio followed and the records on Decca continued. Al Bowlly was coming into

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