Victorian Trumpet Trio
Andrew Mott from Melbourne Australia has provided some very exciting historical information about a famous trumpet trio and their association with F E. Olds and Son. Andrew studied with both George Dobson & Mervyn Simpson and is in the process of writing a book about George’s colourful career in the Australian dance and orchestral scene, 1925 – 68.
The Victorian Trumpet Trio
The Victorian Trumpet Trio, 1955-68, comprised the trumpet section from the Victorian Symphony Orchestra (now known as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) Mervyn Simpson (Principal), Standish Roberts (2nd) and George Dobson (3rd) in Melbourne, Australia.
George Dobson – Mervyn Simpson – Standish Roberts, c.1958
The group was conceived by George Dobson and successfully performed at orchestral, television, live theatre and vice-regal events during the 1950s & ‘60s.
Much of their repertoire was recorded on half a dozen LP & EP vinyl recordings.
While George’s high-pressure style of arrangements have dated a little with the years, the music took great precision to execute well and he wrote for constantly switching 1st, 2nd & 3rd parts. The switching lead was imperceptible given their ability to work together in the orchestral setting and match sounds so well.
In 1958, with three EP recordings on Australian W&G label under their belt, tapes were sent to several labels in the US.
Maverick adman / manager Vick Knight of Key Records, Hollywood, wrote back asking them for enough material to fill a long-playing disc for American release – and to consider a promotional tour appearing on major U.S. TV networks. At the same time, Decca (England) expressed an interest in an LP release for their own U.K. market.
The American LP release went ahead in mid-1959 on Knight’s label with the album titled ‘Australia’s Fabulous Trumpets’ and public response was very positive.
Another to take note was F.E. Olds & Co.
As one of the top brass instrument manufacturers in the country, Vick Knight had approached them for a loan of their latest professional model trumpet to photograph for the US album cover.
The factory obliged & Knight sent them a few copies of the 12” LP on release and Olds executives were a little gob smacked by the recording: the crazy arrangements, the high-pressure delivery and the faultless execution from the three Aussies and wrote to George Dobson offering to send three of their best instruments – a Mendez, Recording & Super – free of charge.
Unpacking complimentary horns.
Three of F.E. Olds’ top instruments arrive in the post, 1959.
The shipping address for the box of trumpets can be seen in the lower left corner of the photo:
And on the side of the box is written:
Invoice
Recording
Super
Mendez
Then came a review in New York’s The Billboard magazine:
“A dazzling display of trumpet virtuosity here by the Victorian Trumpet Trio, made up by three trumpet men of the Victorian Symphony of Australia (sic). The men play a group of familiar items, some pop and some classical, with an excitement and skill that is ear-arresting…”
Immediately the trio was approached by The Ed Sullivan Show to appear on its New York TV show.
George’s youngest daughter, Chris, recalls the afternoon conversation of the three men and their wives in their Melbourne home. The cups of tea around the kitchen laminex table and the debate tossing back and forth as to what to do. Remarkably, the men elected to turn down the offer of the tour and an appearance on Sullivan’s show. Each had a young family, but ABC management was also proving a little too possessive of its trumpet section in the VSO, making it difficult for each of them to take leave of orchestral duties for too long.
It’s been said, The Beatles played to a television audience of 73 million when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. The trio were no Liverpool pop band but the exposure would have been extraordinary.
What might have been.
In any case, the association with F.E. Olds continued. In 1964 Olds again sent a complimentary range of their best trumpets out to Melbourne. This time, as they slit the box seals and removed cardboard packaging, they found four in the crate… a Mendez, Recording, Super & new silver-plated Custom.
It’s been an interesting exercise, tracing these seven Olds trumpets from another time. Suddenly, the possibility arose, they might still exist. Over a few months in 2024, the whereabouts of five of the seven have been re-discovered. Late in his life, George always stated he never had to buy another trumpet in his career after he signed his first Buescher endorsement in 1936 for Canadian entrepreneur, J.C. Bendrodt at the palatial Sydney Trocadero. Similarly, the generosity & belief of F.E. Olds & Co. went a long way to encouraging three trumpet players from the other side of the world in their quest to provide a new and different sound for its time.
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Here are some recordings demonstrating the skill and artistry of this trio: