Midnite Follies Orchestra

{{Short description|British jazz band (1978–2020s)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = group_or_band | name = Midnite Follies Orchestra | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | alias = | origin = | genre = | discography = | years_active = 1978 - 1980s, 1990s, 2020s | label = EMI, Odeon, ASV | spinoffs = | spinoff_of = | current_members = | past_members = | website =  | module = | module2 = | module3 = }}

'''Midnite Follies Orchestra''' was formed in Britain in 1978, by jazz musicians Keith Nichols and Alan Cohen, dedicated to recreating standards by some of early jazz musicians.<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Guinness Publishing|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=1685}}</ref> The orchestra more or less disbanded in the 1990s.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} The Midnite Follies Orchestra had showcased a variety of musicians over the years, including Nick Stevenson, Digby Fairweather, Alan Elsdon, Dave Savill, Laurie Chescoe, Keith Greville, Randolph Colville, Olaf Vas, Mac White, Will Hastie, John Barnes, Gordon Blundy and Peter Strange. During the orchestra's active years, it was often featured on BBC television and radio.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> ==Background== The group was put together by Keith Nichols with co-leader Alan Cohen.<ref>''London Jazz News'', 25 January 2021 - [https://londonjazznews.com/2021/01/25/keith-nichols-1945-2021-tribute-by-richard-pite/ TRIBUTES, Keith Nichols (1945-2021): Tribute by Richard Pite]</ref> They played the music or Harlem that was previously performed by Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.<ref>''Wisbebech Standard'', 7th November 2017 - [https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/22668566.chatteris-music-society-host-keith-nichols-jazz-concert-chatteris-parish-church/ Chatteris Music Society to host Keith Nichols for jazz concert at Chatteris Parish Church By Ben Jolley]</ref> They were the only group in Europe that specialized in the music of Duke Ellington.<ref>''Storyville'', Issues 111-122 - [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Storyville/noY4AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Midnite+Follies+Orchestra%22&dq=%22Midnite+Follies+Orchestra%22&printsec=frontcover Page 96, 149]</ref>

Members Laurie Chescoe and Will Hastie had been members of Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights band in the early 1960s.<ref>''Disc'', No. 149 January 28, 1961 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Disc/1961/DISC-1961-01-28.pdf Page 15 '''''Trad Round-Up''''' - By OWEN BRYCE, '''E'''RIC ALLENDALE is the latest addition to our trad. scene.]</ref> ==Career== ===1970s=== It was mentioned in the 25 March 1978 issue of ''Music Week'' that Midnite Follies Orchestra had signed to the MOR division of EMI.<ref>''Music Week'', March 25, 1978 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1978/Music-Week-1978-03-25.pdf Page 99 ''THE FIRST signing for Ramon Lopez, new managing director of EMI Records'']</ref>

James Hamilton gave a short review on their single "No Strings". He said that it was "Really useful '30s-style Pasadena-type MoR quickstepper, lovely and jolly". He also said that it was for old folks.<ref>''Record Mirror'', November 11, 1978 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/78/Record-Mirror-1978-11-11.pdf Page 43 <u>''NEW SPINS''</u>, MIDNITE FOLLIES ORCHESTRA]</ref> "No Strings" was getting airplay on Radio 210 in Thames Valley for the week of 14 October 1978.<ref>''Music Week'', October 14, 1978 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1978/Music-Week-1978-10-14.pdf Page 26 AIPLAY ACTION, Radio 210, THAMES VALLEY, NO STRINGS — The Midnite Follies Orchestra (EMI/Odeon 101)]</ref>

Along with Max Collie's Rhythm Aces and Monty Sunshine, the ensemble played at the Hot Jazz Spectacular, Fairfield Halls in 1979.<ref>National Jazz Archive - [https://nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/people-places/4531335-hot-jazz-spectacular-fairfield-halls-1979 Hot Jazz Spectacular, Fairfield Halls, 1979]</ref> In August that year the group having appeared some time back at the White Rock and performing well was appearing at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne.<ref>'' Bexhill-on-Sea Observer'', Saturday 25 August 1979 - [https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=%22midnite%20follies%20orchestra%22&exactsearch=true&retrievecountrycounts=false&page=2 Page 4 Midnite treat]</ref> ===1980s=== On 23 May 1982, the ensemble was to appear with jazz singer Adelaide Hall in her debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The event was a Duke Ellington anniversary concert.<ref>''Daily Express'', May 5, 1982 - [https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=%22midnite%20follies%20orchestra%22&exactsearch=false&county=london%2c%20england&retrievecountrycounts=false&mostspecificlocation=london%2c%20england Page 15 Encore for a living legend]</ref>

The group were set to give their Duke Ellington tribute performance on Friday 25 May 1984.<ref>''Storyville'', Issues 111-122 - [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Storyville/noY4AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Midnite+Follies+Orchestra%22&dq=%22Midnite+Follies+Orchestra%22&printsec=frontcover Page 96, 149]</ref>

In 1989 the ensemble played at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.<ref>National Jazz Archive - [https://nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/people-places/4531052-michael-webber-promotions-present-the-twentieth-louis-armstrong-anniversary-concert-with-the-midnite-follies-orchestra-the-queen-elizabeth-hall-1989 Michael Webber Promotions present The Twentieth Louis Armstrong Anniversary Concert with the Midnite Follies Orchestra, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, 1989]</ref> ===Later years=== Keith Nichols died on January 20, 2021.<ref>''jazzwise'', Tuesday, January 26, 2021 - [https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/keith-nichols-13-2-1945-20-1-21 Keith Nichols (13/2/1945-20/1/21) - Alyn Shipton]</ref>

A tribute to Keith Nichols had been organized for Wed 20 Sep 2023 at the Main club. Participating musicians include, Johnny M. on vocals, Mike Henry, Enrico Tomasso, and Pete Rudeforth on trumpets, Alistair Allan, and Andy Flaxman on trombones, Michael McQuaid, Robert Fowler, and David Horniblow on saxophones. The rhythm section includes, Martin Litton on piano, Thomas "Spats" Langham on sousaphone, Graham Read on double bass and Richard Pite on drums.<ref>The Concorde Club - [https://www.theconcordeclub.com/product.php/1686/the-midnite-follies-orchestra-jungle-nights-in-harlem-a-tribute-to-keith-nichols The Midnite Follies Orchestra: Jungle Nights In Harlem. A tribute to Keith Nichols. Wed 20 Sep 2023 from 20:15pm in The Main Club]</ref>

==Discography== ===Single=== * "No Strings" / "Minnie the Moocher" – EMI, Odeon ODO 101 – 1978<ref>Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=The%20Midnite%20Follies%20Orchestra&title=No%20Strings ArtistInfo, The Midnite Follies Orchestra, No Strings]</ref> ===Albums=== *''Hotter Than Hades'' – EMI, Odeon ODN 1001 – 1978<ref>Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=The%20Midnite%20Follies%20Orchestra ArtistInfo, The Midnite Follies Orchestra Discography]</ref><ref>Amazon - [https://www.amazon.co.uk/CDs-Vinyl-MIDNITE-FOLLIES-ORCHESTRA/s?rh=n%3A229816%2Cp_32%3AMIDNITE+FOLLIES+ORCHESTRA Midnite Follies Orchestra Hotter Than Hades LP EMI ODN1001 EX/EX 1978]</ref> *''Jungle Nights in Harlem'' – ASV ALA 3002 – 1981<ref>Muziekweb - [https://www.muziekweb.nl/en/Link/JC00923/Jungle-nights-in-harlem Jungle nights in harlem, The Midnite Follies Orchestra]</ref><ref>Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=The%20Midnite%20Follies%20Orchestra ArtistInfo, The Midnite Follies Orchestra Discography]</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * Discogs – [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1228750-The-Midnite-Follies-Orchestra The Midnite Follies Orchestra]

Category:British jazz musicians Category:Musical groups established in 1978