Geraldo (bandleader)

Gerald Walcan Bright, known as Geraldo ( born August 10, 1904 in London, † May 4, 1974 in Vevey, Switzerland ) was an English bandleader.

Life and work

Geraldo was born as Gerald Bright and designed as a " piano prodigy " at the Royal Academy of Music. His orchestra was one of the most famous in his time and he possessed in England the same popularity as Glenn Miller in the U.S..

Geraldo introduced already in the 1920s on some bands, but was known until 1925 with the St Anne's -on-the -Sea Hotel Majestic Orchestra. In August 1930, he was then obliged with his band, colorful costumes and a new name as Geraldo Gaucho Tango band at London's Savoy Hotel. In 1933 he was called " Tango King of England " a special performance for the British royal court. Shortly thereafter, Geraldo formed his orchestra into a swing and dance orchestra and called Geraldo & his Sweet Music. As a visual treat - Geraldo and his orchestra looked exactly how imagined a swing orchestra - he remained nearly ten years at the Savoy and had allegedly over 2000 radio appearances.

With the outbreak of World War II Geraldo "Director of Dance Music" for the BBC at least nine radio appearances a week. At the same time he and his band often appeared publicly with tours in the Middle East and North Africa. During this time he achieved - similar to Glenn Miller - the peak of popularity. His backing musicians belonged to the drummer Eric Delaney.

In the postwar years, Geraldo moved more to the management of the bands that played for the Cunard shipping line. He managed the orchestra pits of theaters and was music director of the Scottish television.