Max Collie

Max Collie has distinguished himself more as an ensemble director than through his trombone work, serving as a driving presence in Australia's traditional jazz community from the 1950s forward. He directed the Jazz Bandits from 1948 to 1950 and the Jazz Kings from 1950 to 1962; although both operated on a part-time basis, they supplied him with extensive practical seasoning. In 1962 he entered the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band. After that group traveled to England in 1963, Collie remained overseas and joined the London City Stompers. He took charge of the unit in 1966, at which point it was retitled Rhythm Aces. The band sustained a demanding itinerary from the late 1960s through the 1970s and into the early 1980s, frequently delivering 250 performances annually, its cornet chair occupied by the capable Phil Mason. Collie's initial sessions as leader were cut in 1971 for the WAM label in Hamburg, West Germany. He and the Rhythm Aces subsequently recorded for Reality, Happy Bird, Black Lion, GHB (on a 1974 U.S. visit that counted as one of three such tours), Bix Lives, the Swedish outlet Sweet Folk, Esperance, Beerendonk, and, most prominently, Timeless.