Les Jowett

Born in Bradford, England, 1925. He took up the cornet at the age of fifteen, playing in brass bands around Bradford. In 1943, when he was at Cambridge University, he played with The Woodchoppers a University band, and also with the band at the Cambridge Rhythm Club. After a spell in the Navy, Les went to the London School of Economics, and played there with a band led by guitarist Ken Sykora. He gigged around the London area in a group led by altoist Fred Perry. He became Lecturer in Social Studies at Luton and then at Brighton Technical College in 1952. At this time he played, recorded and broadcast with the Cy Laurie Four, then left to join George Webb's band. He then worked as at Philips Electric, and started the Les Jowett's Jazz Seven and The Vanguard club in Brighton in June 1956.