The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

Johnny Arthy, an enthusiast of 1920s jazz, established the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in November 1969 to direct a dance-focused big band steeped in jazz influences and devoted to repertoire from 1923 through 1937. The British ensemble took its name from Arthy’s fondness for the little-known tune “Pasadena.” Its debut performance occurred in April 1970; soon afterward Arthy received an unexpected trove of 1,500 original 1920s arrangements, offered at a nominal price by an elderly woman whose father had served as musical director for a dance band of that era. Initially the group performed only once weekly, yet the strong reception of its debut album in 1974 prompted the musicians to turn professional and increase their schedule. Momentum grew further with a European tour in 1975, after which the orchestra maintained a steady workload and issued recordings at regular intervals—first for Transatlantic and subsequently chiefly on its own P.R.O. imprint. Although no celebrated soloists have emerged from its ranks, owing to the Pasadena Roof Orchestra’s primary identity as a dance band, the ensemble has consistently presented vivid section work, vocals in period style, and concise individual features, all rendered with deep regard for the early pre-swing idiom.