1927: Ain’t She Sweet? - Ray Starita & Piccadilly Revels Band

Ain’t She Sweet? Fox-Trot (Ager-Yellen) – Piccadilly Revels Band, Dir. by Ray Starita with Vocal Chorus, Columbia 1927 (UK) NOTE: One of the music icons of the hot-dance era of the Roaring 20s performed by one of the best dance bands in Europe in that time. There were four American-Italian Starita brothers; the eldest Rudy Starita, born in Naples, then in America [Renato] Ray Starita, Al Starita and the youngest Julio. All of them got imported into British dance band scene of the 1920/30s. They were born in Chelsea, MA and in 1921 they formed a band in the Boston area. Two years later, Ray and Al traveled to UK where soon they were playing with the renowned dance orchestra the Savoy Orpheans. In 1925-1928 Al and Ray Starita recorded with Jack Hylton’s Kit-Cat Band. In this time the prestigious Piccadilly Hotel put the floorshow staged by brother of the Dolly Sisters, called ’Dolly’s Revels.’ This show continued under the name of the ’Piccadilly Revels’. Jack Hylton, who was busy at that time with his own band, put 22 year old Ray in charge of the band which played for the Revels. The Revels Band soon renamed as The Piccadilly Revels Band became a sensation and a serious rival to the bands at other West End clubs. Its recordings struck a neat balance between the up-to-date ballroom dance of the day and ’advanced ’ jazz influenced arrangements, which was very much enjoyed by demanding London audience. In 1928 Ray transformed his band into the Ray Starita And His Ambassadors Band while Al formed equally successful Piccadilly Players orchestra, and two remaining Starita brothers sailed from USA to join them.