My Grandmother and the Oscar Rabin Band

[Betz]

My grandmother, Patti Forbes, was one of the singers for the Oscar Rabin Band during the 1950s. The Oscar Rabin Band was one of the more popular British big bands during the era. My grandmother left the entertainment industry and her country when she met my grandfather, who was an American airman stationed in England. I thought people with our interests for the days of the past would be interested in this. Thanks for watching and listening, I hope you enjoy.

[video=youtube;PuA6xSKRuN8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuA6xSKRuN8[/video]

 

[martinsantos]

Great!

 

[Fletch]

Always great to hear from someone with an intimate connection to the big bands.
Here's a page about the Rabin band in the 40s and 50s. It does mention Patti (spelling her name Pattie).

It includes this photo from 1956, when Shirley Jackson was the femme vocalist.

It's interesting that Rabin picked an unusual and conspicuous instrument, the bass saxophone - and could barely play it. He only doubled the bass parts with the string bass, very quietly, and even then he couldn't keep up.

 

[Betz]

Nice! Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[Fletch]

I've just learned that Joe Temperley, one of the all-time greats on baritone sax, was in the 1956 band. He's on the far right of the sax section in the first shot.

Joe currently plays with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under Wynton Marsalis.

 

[Johnnysan]

Your grandmother had a lovely voice...what great family history. Thank you for sharing!