The Temperance Seven

The Temperance Seven was a British band specializing in 1920s-style jazz music.

The Temperance Seven were formed at the Royal College of Art in 1957. Despite its name, the Temperance Seven usually had nine members.

They had a British number 1 hit in 1961 with "You're Driving Me Crazy", which was produced by George Martin. Other noted songs were "Charley My Boy", "Pasadena", "Sugar" and "Chili Bom-Bom".

The original Temperance Seven came to an end in the late 1960s, but the band continues to perform with new personnel; from time to time original members sometimes making guest appearances. Many members of the original band reunited for a BBC radio programme about the group in 2003.

Members

The members of the Temperance Seven often went under preposterous pseudonyms. A partial line-up includes:
* Clifford Bevan (piano, trombone)
* Canon Colin Bowles (piano)
* Alan Swainston Cooper (clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone)
* John R.T. Davies (trombone, alto saxophone)
* Martin Fry (sousaphone)
* John Gieves-Watson (banjo)
* Phillip Harrison (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone)
* Cephas Howard (trumpet, euphonium)
* Brian Innes (percussion)
* "Whispering" Paul McDowell (vocals)
* Franklin D. Paverty (sousaphone)
* John Watson (banjo)
* Mac White (clarinet, alto saxophone)
* Ray Whittam (clarinet, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone)

Selected discography

Singles

* "Pasadena" (1961)
* "You're Driving Me Crazy" (1961)

Albums

* Those BBC Years (recorded in 1962, released in 2002)
* Pasadena & the Lost Cylinders (1967)
* Tea for Eight" (1989)
* 33 Not Out (1990)
* The Writing on the Wall'' (1992)

Filmography

* It's Trad, Dad! (1962)
* Take Me Over (1963)
* The Wrong Box (1966) (uncredited)

External links