London 1930s: Roy Fox & His Band - Lullaby of the Leaves, 1932

Roy Fox & His Band - Lullaby of the Leaves, Slow Fox-Trot (Joe Young - Bernice Petkere) Decca 1932 (UK)

NOTE: Roy Fox was an American cornetist and bandleader born in Denver, Colorado, whose greatest popularity came during his years of performing in England during the British dance band era. Raised in Hollywood, California, Roy began playing cornet when he was 11 years old, and in age of 16, he joined Abe Lyman's orchestra at the Sunset Inn in Santa Monica, where he played alongside Miff Mole, Henry Halstead, and Gus Arnheim. He developed a soft style of playing which earned him the nickname The Whispering Cornetist.

In 1925 he put together his own band, with whom he recorded and also scored a gig on radio broadcasting with Art Hickman's orchestra. After some time in New York City, Fox and Arnheim reconvened in Hollywood, working at the Ambassador Hotel, and Fox continued to broadcast with his own bands. During this time he also did a number of film soundtracks.

In 1930 Fox was invited to perform in London, and when his band returned to the U.S. the following spring, Fox remained behind, recording with a new group for Decca Records and accepting an engagement at the fashionable Monseigneur Restaurant in Piccadilly. However, in Spring 1932 when Roy Fox fell ill with pleurisy and travelled to Switzerland for a stay at a sanatorium, the restaurant's owner offered the residency to Lew Stone and all the band with the exception of trumpeter Sid Buckman decided to remain with Stone. Fox formed a new band with Buckman as trumpeter and a new vocalist (Al Bowlly stayed with Lew Stone) and secured a residency at the Café Anglais in Leicester Sq. He made the films, recorded for HMV and toured Europe until 1938, when he fell ill again. The time of WW2 Roy Fox spent in Australia, where he led the Jay Whidden Orchestra and visited the U.S. for a few tours with small groups. In 1946-47 he again led a band in England with appearances in London's Potomac Club. After 1952 Roy Fox went into retirement and opened his own booking agency. He died in London in 1982, aged 80.