I grew up in St Kilda and skated at St Moritz, danced at the Palais de dance and went to the pictures at the Palais.running over to Luna Park at interval and of course the beach after the pictures. We had it all. It was such an amazing place to grow up in.
That clip of Jacobs' band at 1:21 was actually mostly Jay Whidden's Orchestra from next door's Palais de Danse. It would date from 1938 - 40 and some of the musicians evident in there, are George Dobson (lead trumpet), Bob Gibson (lead alto sax), Bernie Duggan (piano) and George Watson (drums). Jacobs is standing centre. (Whidden was an American bandleader - and very successful - who led at the Palais de Danse for 3 years.) His band's musicians would start next door at Palais Pictures under Harry Jacobs in the pit and play the overture before the movies, they'd then take a few rides at Luna Park to let off some steam and then tote their instruments next door to the Palais de Danse, the country's undisputed top venue for dance musicians, where they would play until as late as 2am.And they were paid well too (!) Heady days for some musicians - if you were the top guys.
awesome video !!! .. I live in st kilda now .. and am looking to document simliar to you. Probably more st kilda itself. I've contact the state library and will be obtaining archival footage and photos..... I would love speak to you if possible about your experience about making this video.... its amazing !!....
I grew up in St Kilda and skated at St Moritz, danced at the Palais de dance and went to the pictures at the Palais.running over to Luna Park at interval and of course the beach after the pictures. We had it all. It was such an amazing place to grow up in.
That clip of Jacobs' band at 1:21 was actually mostly Jay Whidden's Orchestra from next door's Palais de Danse. It would date from 1938 - 40 and some of the musicians evident in there, are George Dobson (lead trumpet), Bob Gibson (lead alto sax), Bernie Duggan (piano) and George Watson (drums). Jacobs is standing centre. (Whidden was an American bandleader - and very successful - who led at the Palais de Danse for 3 years.) His band's musicians would start next door at Palais Pictures under Harry Jacobs in the pit and play the overture before the movies, they'd then take a few rides at Luna Park to let off some steam and then tote their instruments next door to the Palais de Danse, the country's undisputed top venue for dance musicians, where they would play until as late as 2am.And they were paid well too (!) Heady days for some musicians - if you were the top guys.
did skate at St. Moritz long ago.
awesome video !!! .. I live in st kilda now .. and am looking to document simliar to you. Probably more st kilda itself. I've contact the state library and will be obtaining archival footage and photos..... I would love speak to you if possible about your experience about making this video.... its amazing !!....