Research Forum

recording studio in WSM in the 1950's
published by on Wed, 26/09/2012 - 22:55

Hello, I am new on here and I write in the hopes that somebody might remember there being a recording studio in Weston. It may not have been there for very long, but it definately existed. A vinyl record was produced of a jazz quartet (Frank Jarmony was one) which included a cover of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, sung by my mother. I have absolutely no idea where to begin or how to go about my research. I have spent hours on the internet, without success (except finding this website). It is my lifelong dream to obtain a copy of this record. If any of the above information 'rings any bells' or anyone can help point me in the right direction, I would love to hear from you!

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Thu, 27/09/2012 - 0:24

I have put out some feelers in the musical circles of Weston but have not had any leads yet. A letter to the local newspaper, the Weston Mercury, might prove fruitful. Click here to contact it.

However, I do know that there was a Frank [Francis] JARMANY who lived in Axbridge - He died in 2005, and was very interested in the history of Axbridge. If this was the same man, using FreeBMD I can see that his birth was registered in Blackburn, Lancs in 1921 but that he married in Weston-super-Mare in 1943 and had two daughters. He was the Clerk to the Axbridge Trust and this is their website - someone connected to it may be able to put you in contact with his family who might know the other members of the quartet.

Submitted by on Fri, 28/09/2012 - 13:08

Pat, Thank You so much for responding. I am thrilled that someone got back to me! There were 2 obvious places to try, but when we looked, the record was not there: The family once possessed a copy of the record, but my mother's father had, for some bizarre reason, given it to a friend! Tragically, this friend appears to no longer have it. I know that my mother had contacted Frank, who did indeed live in Axbridge, but she was told he did not possess a copy of the record either. It was a great disappointment. Before it was too late, I asked my mum if she remembered other names in the quartet...I jotted them down on a piece of paper. Frank was the only one I could remember off the top of my head. I have been searching the house top to bottom and today I found the piece of paper!! Cliff Atyeo played the sax, Frank the drums, Donald Bond the piano and Phil Gilling on bass guitar. Mum said depending on who was there they would be the Phil Graham Trio or Quartet. I really do hope this record does not remain elusive and I will certainly try all that you suggest. Many thanks again Pat.