Jack Hylton & His Orchestra was a British dance band that was active from the 1920s to the 1940s. The ensemble was founded by Jack Hylton, a musician and bandleader who was born in Great Lever, Bolton, England, on July 2, 1892. Hylton started his career as a pianist and organist in his hometown, and later moved to London to pursue his musical ambitions. In 1923, Hylton formed his own dance band, which he called Jack Hylton & His Orchestra. The ensemble quickly gained popularity and became one of the most successful dance bands in Britain. The orchestra's lineup changed over the years, but some of its main members included Al Bowlly, a vocalist who was known for his smooth voice and romantic ballads; Billy Ternent, a saxophonist and arranger who later became a bandleader himself; and Sid Phillips, a clarinetist and saxophonist who was known for his virtuosity and improvisational skills. Jack Hylton & His Orchestra performed a wide range of music, including jazz, swing, and popular songs of the day. The ensemble was known for its tight arrangements, polished performances, and high-energy shows. The orchestra also recorded extensively, making hundreds of records for various labels, including HMV, Decca, and Columbia. One of the highlights of Jack Hylton & His Orchestra's career was their performance at the London Palladium in 1926. The show, which was called "The Crazy Coqs," was a huge success and helped to establish the orchestra as one of the premier dance bands in Britain. The ensemble also performed at other prestigious venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Savoy Hotel. In addition to their live performances, Jack Hylton & His Orchestra also appeared in several films, including "The Co-Optimists" (1929) and "Say It With Music" (1932). The orchestra's music was also featured in several other films, including "The Ghost Goes West" (1935) and "The Divorce of Lady X" (1938). Jack Hylton & His Orchestra received several awards and honors over the years. In 1932, the ensemble won the Melody Maker poll for Best Dance Band. The orchestra also won the Daily Express poll for Best Dance Band in 1933, 1934, and 1935. In 1936, Jack Hylton was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. Despite their success, Jack Hylton & His Orchestra faced several challenges over the years. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 led to a decline in the popularity of dance bands, as many musicians were drafted into the military. In addition, changing musical tastes and the rise of rock and roll in the 1950s led to a decline in the popularity of traditional dance bands. Jack Hylton & His Orchestra disbanded in 1940, but their music continued to be popular with fans of traditional dance bands. Today, the ensemble is remembered as one of the most successful and influential dance bands of the 1920s and 1930s. Their music continues to be enjoyed by fans of vintage jazz and swing, and their recordings are considered classics of the genre.

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