My name is Leslie Coote. I was born in Shepherds Bush, London,
England in 1928. I am a big fan of all types of music ranging
from opera to jazz – but have a special interest in traditional jazz and
the dance bands of the 1940s.
Me (left) and Bert in
about 1932
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My elder brother, Bert, brought home his first Nat Gonella record
in 1935. It was Hesitation Blues and he played it over and over until
it was nearly worn out. Our Dad called it ‘noise’ and couldn’t stand
it. His musical taste was for military marches and his favourite
song was Gracie Fields’ Now is the Hour. Nevertheless we all
went as a family to see Nat Gonella whenever he appeared at one of the
nearby theatres – either the Shepherds Bush Empire or the Chiswick Empire.
In competition with Bert, I brought home my first record –
Louis Armstrong’s Thanks a Million / Solitude and discovered other
music – Harry James, Harry Roy and Benny Goodman for instance. |
In the 1970s, Nat Gonella made appearances in a series of Old Time
Music Hall revivals. On one memorable occasion we went as a family
to see him at Wimbledon Theatre where he dedicated Stardust to Bert’s oldest
daughter, Natalie (named for him, of course). After the show Nat
came home with us, where this photo of Nat, Bert and myself was taken.
I’m on the right. “Blow it don’t suck it”, wrote Nat on the back
of the photo.

I have a very large collection of music by both Louis Armstrong and
Nat Gonella, but there are always those elusive songs I remember hearing
years ago but haven’t come across in ages. So I was delighted to
find this site and to discover some of those tracks, in particular Tormented
by Nat Gonella.
I have chosen four more rare Nat Gonella tracks and I hope you will
enjoy hearing them again as much as I will.
Nat and me
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Bring em back alive
Big chief swing it
Bojangles of Harlem 
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Don’t cross your fingers cross your heart |
Tormented
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Additional note by Swingstyle:
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There was a bandleader named Nat
Who attempted to broadcast some 'Scat'
But they said: 'Oh Gonella,
I say, my deah fellah'
We realy can't let you do that!' |
!! You can find some more about Nat Gonella and his Georgians
in our
Museum-section under ''Music/Orchestras
and Artists'' !!
!! Weitere Informationen
über Nat Gonella and his Georgians auch in
unserem Museum unter ''Musik/Orchester
and Künstler'' !!
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