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Andy McDevitt



British jazz clarinet and saxophone player.
Mainly active in the 1930s and 40s, McDevitt went on to work as a studio musician through to the 1970s

career steps:
1934:Worked for Louis Freeman in Scotland (and on liner California), then did summer season with Slim Grossman in Bournemouth
1935:Worked with Billy Mason, then again with Louis Freeman's Orchestra in Glasgow until joining Teddy Joyce in June 1935.
1936: Left Carl Tauber to join Ambrose briefly in spring. Later with Sydney Kyte and Gerry Moore.
1937: Worked with Benny Carter in London
1938: With Roy Fox, then joined Dennis Van Thal's Orchestra (summer) and later with Oscar Grasso's Band.
1939:joined Geraldo (January), also did regular radio work with Phil Watts (1938-9). With Jack Nathan's Quintet (late 1939).
1940: Joined RAF and became founder-member of the Squadronaires.
Also guested with various bands during the early 1940s, including work with Lew Stone, Johnny Claes. Remained with the Squadronaires through World War II, and stayed until early 1952.
Then became highly successful freelance musician, often with the BBC Variety Orchestra. Studio work through the 1960s and 1970s, regularly with the BBC Radio Orchestra. Continued to play freelance gigs including taking part in Dave Hancock's Big Band during the 1970s.

APPEARANCES +


The Squadronaires / Duke Ellington, George Williams (2), Gene Krupa, Sy Oliver
Commando Patrol
2008, CD, Comp, Vocalion, ,
Big Band/Swing/Dansband
Benny Carter
The Music Master
2006, 4x CD Slimline, ,
Swing/Big Band
George Chisholm
Early Days 1935-1944
1998, CD, Comp, Timeless Records (3), ,
Swing/Big Band
Various
Tea Dance 2
1997, CD, Comp, Whittard Of Chelsea, ,
Dixieland/Piano Blues/Jump Blues/Big Band/Swing
Benny Carter
Jazz & Blues Collection
1996, CD, Comp, RM, Editions Atlas, ,
Swing/Big Band
Leonard Feather
1937-1945
1996
Benny Carter, His Orchestra* & Swing Quartet* Featuring Elisabeth Welch
When Lights Are Low
1992, Vinyl, ,
Swing
George Gershwin
The Golden Age Of Gershwin (Played By The Great British Dance Bands Of The 1930's)
1987
Geraldo And His Orchestra
Heart And Soul
1982, LP, Comp, Mono, Saville Records
Roy Fox
1936-1938
1975, 2xLP, Comp, Mono, RM, World Records (6), ,
Big Band/Swing
Various
The Golden Age Of British Dance Bands
1975, 7x Vinyl, Vinyl, Box Set, ,
Big Band/Swing
The Radio Big Band
Playing The Best Of British
1972, LP, BBC Records, ,
Big Band
Various
The BBC Presents British Jazz Vol. 1
1972, LP, Comp, Mono, BBC Records
Roy Fox
This Is Roy Fox
1972
Ambrose & His Orchestra
Champagne Cocktail
1968, Vinyl,
Benny Carter & His Orchestra*
Swingin' At Maida Vale
1964, Vinyl, ,
Swing
Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Jimmy Dorsey And Una Mae Carlisle
The Music Of
1964, Vinyl, ,
Swing
Al Bowlly And Nat Gonella With Lew Stone & His Band*
Ten-Thirty Tuesday Night
1963, Vinyl, ,
Big Band
The West End Players (2) / The Regent Dance Band
A Pair Of Silver Wings / That Day It Rained
1942, Shellac, 10", Decca, ,
Vocal
The West End Players*
Seventeen Candles / My Capri Serenade
1941, Shellac, 10", Decca
The Royal Air Force Dance Orchestra
Ringle Dingle / South Rampart Street Parade
Shellac, 10", Decca
Leonard Feather And Ye Olde English Swynge Band
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes / Early One Morning