Monty Sunshine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Monty Sunshine (born 8 April 1928, in Stepney, East London), is a former clarinetist whose main claim to fame was on "Petite Fleur", a clarinet solo that was a million seller for the Chris Barber band in 1959.

Along with Lonnie Donegan, Jim Bray and Ron Bowden, forming the back line of what was the embryo Chris Barber band. Ken Colyer was the original professional trumpet player, with Monty on clarinet and the original 1953 band took the Colyer name until there was a split from Colyer in May 1954. Pat Halcox - who only turned the band down originally as he wanted to carry on his studies - took over the spot, and the band formally adopted the Chris Barber Jazz Band as its title.

The band very quickly made an international reputation following their inaugural tour of Denmark, before their professional debut in the United Kingdom.

Monty stayed with the band for several years, until he left around 1960, to be replaced by Ian Wheeler. He formed his own band, staying true to the original six man line up, whilst Barber expanded to 7, then 8 and finally to 11.

Monty returned to play a one off reunion concert with the original Chris Barber band at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon in June 1975. This was very well received and the band reformed once again for a very successful international reunion tour in 1994.

Monty retired around 2001.

Any discography would be extremely long but there are many CDs available with Colyer and Barber as well as with his own band.