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A historical event in the Scottish Jazz world took place on Saturday June 30th 1956 in St Andrews Grand Hall in Glasgow. The Beltona Record Company setup it’s equipment and recorded a concert. What’s significant is that these were to be the first tracks of traditional jazz bands resident in Scotland and composed only of Scots musicians to be made and issued by a major label. Main attraction at the concert was the 1955 Scottish Traditional Jazz Band champion group, The Clyde Valley Stompers led by trombonist Ian Menzies and their glamorous young vocalist Mary McGowan. The band had turned professional after winning the championship and were resident in the Riverside Jazz Club in the city’s Maxwell Street. In consequence they had a huge following much added to by their regular ‘appearances’ on radio. The Clyde Valley Stompers produced many a successful hit, one of which was the great 'Peter and the Wolf'. The band appeared on several television programs including The Morecambe and Wise show and Thank Your Lucky Stars.
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