CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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1958
1958 - 1965
1964
1967
1968
1969
1969 - 1971
1971
1972
1973
1973
1974
1975
1975
1975
1976 - 1977
1978
1980
1982
1983 - 1984
1984 - 1993
1986
1987
1988
1989
1991
1997 - 2005
2006 - 2010
2008
2008 - 2010 |
1953At the age of 10 Warren began playing drums and later, at age 14, played in the local church dance band. He got his taste for showbiz when, as a 9 year old, he won a Johnny Ray impersonation contest.
1958With the help of Mum and Dad, he bought his first drum set. As one of the earliest Rock and Roll pioneers, Warren formed his own Rock’n’Roll band The Ramblers, which later was re-named The Steeds
1958 – 1965Warren and The Steeds played regularly to packed houses at dance halls and concerts and performed with the Allen Brothers, Warren Williams, Lucky Starr, Dig Richards, The Delltones, Patsy-Ann Noble, The Joy Boys, Laurel Lee, Kevin Todd, Little Pattie, The Delltones, The Crescents, The De Kroo Brothers and Johnny Devlin. Warren was also in high demand as a drummer and recorded with numerous artists including the Bee Gees, Col Joye, Sylvia Raye, Judy Stone, Jay Justin, Paul Anka, Bobby Rydell and Dick Bowden.
1961 –1965Appeared with The Steeds on Teen Time, Johnny O’Keefe’s J’OK show and Sing Sing Sing. The Steeds featured on the cover of Music Maker magazine in 1965 Released the SP ‘Roadrunner/Mama Inez’ Featured in a 20 minute documentary for cinema release called “The Australian Way’
1964Warren was the first rock and roll drummer in Australia to make the transition to jazz and studio recordings, working firstly in famous Sydney nightclubs Romanos and Spellsons as well as the El Rocco Jazz Cellar from 1964 until it’s eventual closure in the seventies. During this time Warren was highly sought after for numerous live performances together with studio recordings for albums, film, radio and TV commercials. He recorded with numerous artists during this period including Johnny O’Keefe, Col Nolan, Neil Williams, and Barry Crocker.
1964 – 1968The 1960’s also saw Warren doing what he loved most – playing drums in many of the local Sydney Big Bands that thrived in the healthy ballroom venues around the city. Bands led by respected musicians such as Bill Barrett, Billy Weston and Bob Gibson.
1967Joined various television studio orchestras (the ABC, Channel 9, Jack Grimsley Channel 10 and Tommy Tycho Channel 7) and played for the Barry Crocker Show, Bobby Limb’s Sound of Music and the Bob Rogers Show. Played with The Mills Brothers, Sammy Davis Junior, Rolf Harris, Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Barbara Eden, Jeanette McDonald, Paul Anka, Don Lane, Bobby Limb and The Lester Sisters. It was whilst he was the studio drummer at Channel Ten that the internationally renowned group The Kirby Stone Four were so impressed with Warren’s playing that he was invited to tour the United States with them.
1968After touring with Kirby Stone in the USA for three months, including a season at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Si Zentner invited Warren to join his Si Zentner Orchestra, which was enjoying worldwide popularity with the hit ‘Up a Lazy River’. Warren toured extensively throughout the United States with this dynamic and very exciting big band and performed for Bobby Kennedy, Henry Ford II and at the Hollywood Paladium before joining the Buddy de Franco led Glenn Miller Orchestra. Warren then commenced to tour Japan, Korea and 38 states of the USA and whilst performing in New York at the famous Riverboat restaurant in the Empire State building, George T Simon (author of ‘The Big Bands’) proclaimed on New York radio that Warren was the ‘best big band drummer he had ever heard.’
1969Warren then returned to Australia in 1969 to launch his Daly-Wilson Big Band, together with partner Ed Wilson, on the path to international recognition. It was from his sojourn in the USA that the idealism, passion and energy behind the Daly-Wilson Big Band was born. Warren rehearsed the band at the Stage Club for 8 months before the band’s first concert at the University of NSW Roundhouse in August 1969. The placed was packed and the band received a standing ovation from the 1500 students attending. A young Ricky May was the band vocalist. Performed with Louis Bellson, featuring a drum duet between Warren and Louis at the Musicians Club in Sydney – it was packed to the rafters. Joined the Don Burrows Quartet, with George Golla and Ed Gaston at the Wentworth Supper Club.
1969 – 1971The Daly-Wilson Big Band played to rave reviews and packed houses right across Sydney 1969 – 1971 (58 concerts in 3 years). One of the few jazz oriented groups able to fill venues across the country throughout its career. The band featured in the short film ‘The Round House’
1970Warren played in Japan at Expo 70 with the Don Burrows Quartet and also performed with the Royal Australian Navy Band on parade. Performed with the Quartet in Sydney at the Conservatorium Concert Hall. He received a bravery citation whilst there for saving a young Japanese girl from drowning. Formed the City of Sydney Big Band Club, later renamed The Arts Appreciation Centre. Providing music tuition, workshops for ensemble/big band, film nights and overseas guest appearances DWBB released their first LP ‘Live at the Cellblock’ – featuring the first Daly Wilson chart in the library ‘WD & HO Blues’ (Warren Daly & his own Blues). Written and co-arranged by Daly and Wilson. It was Warren’s hope that the name of the tune might also attract sponsorship form tobacco company WD & HO Wills.
1971DWBB continued to play numerous Sydney venues. The band was the support act for the Dudley Moore Trio at the Sydney Town Hall, the State Theatre and the St Kilda Town Hall, winning huge acclaim from audiences and press alike. The band also toured with Cilla Black. Released second LP ‘Daly-Wilson Big Band featuring Kerrie Biddell’ The band disbanded later in 1971 due to financial difficulties. Sold out farewell concert at the Cremorne Orpheum is filmed and televised on the ABC – called ‘For the last Time’. Also recorded the film ‘Big Band on the Move’ for national cinema release.
1972The DWBB voted ‘band of the year’ in Music Maker poll. Warren joined the Galapagos Duck and continued to play drums with various jazz groups in Sydney, including Errol Buddle and Col Nolan. He also worked constantly as a studio musician, recording numerous television commercials and albums during the 1970’s with artists including Don Lane, Mike McLelland, Eric Jupp, Tommy Tycho, Errol Buddle, Peter Boothman and Col Nolan. Sent his drums to the UK at the end of the year, just as he received a telephone call from WD & HO Wills who wanted to sponsor the DWBB’s return.
1973The Daly-Wilson Big Band reformed with sponsorship from Benson & Hedges. Embarked on a 3 month national tour of Australia and New Zealand. Performed to sold out houses everywhere. Warren co-wrote and co-arranged the band’s immensely popular songs in their repertoire. DWBB released third album ‘The Daly-Wilson Big Band on Tour’ which attains Gold Record status. Filmed a 40 minute documentary for cinema release across Australia called ‘The Big Band’ Provided educational support for hundreds of school age budding musicians via numerous DWBB concerts for high schools across the country. This lead to the formation of many young high school bands, inspired by the music of Daly-Wilson. Provided training bands 1 and 2 to aid upcoming graduates to the DWBB The band also released a single ‘Paint it Black/Walking’
1974The DWBB requested by Frank Sinatra to augment with strings and perform with him during his Australian tour. This was Sinatra’s big comeback – his ‘Old Blue Eyes is Back’ tour. Tours to Jakarta and Hong Kong, introducing Rick May and then relatively unknown vocalist Marcia Hines. Film a 1 hour special for Pearl TV Hong Kong The band toured Australia again and Warren introduced a vocal trio of girl singers ‘The Three Shades’ to the public. Linda Keene, Jackie Mason and Marcia Hines, who had also appeared with the band as a guest vocalist earlier in the year.
1975The DWBB made history by being the first Australian act to tour the USSR. The band completed 20 concerts in almost as many days, including 10 in Leningrad, 5 in Moscow, 2 in Latvia and 3 in Lithuania. Concerts were sold out for months beforehand and the public were paying the equivalent of 3 month’s wages to see the concerts. The band played 20 concerts across the USSR to capacity audiences of 5,000 people per night, receiving standing ovations every night. A one hour television special, ‘Big Band in Russia’, was made of the band’s tour and was viewed by millions of Russians and televised nationally on ABC TV in Australia as well. Marcia Hines was the band singer for the tour.
1975The band played in the USA at the Las Vegas Hilton and Donte’s Jazz Club in Hollywood, where the place was packed with the who’s who of LA musicians. The Los Angeles Times, syndicated throughout 100 newspapers across the globe, reviewed the performance of Warren Daly and his band at Donte’s, giving a glowing critique of the band and it’s performance and acknowledging Warren’s contribution as being equal to the USA’s best. Leonard Feather wrote:- “the Daly-Wilson Band carries two important weapons in it’s arsenal: precision and excitement. The brass section hit each phrase with accuracy and flawless intonation, the saxes captured a Ducal essence in “Take the A Train” and the rhythm team, thanks mainly to the dynamism of Daly, compares with some of this country’s best.” The famous bandleader Harry James said of the Las Vegas Hilton performances by the Daly-Wilson Big Band “it is the most exciting big band I have heard anywhere in the world in the last 10 years” The band released its 4th LP ‘Daly-Wilson Big Band featuring Marcia Hines’ and toured Australia again with guest vocalists Marcia Hines and Jon English.
1976A 2 hour ABC documentary film on the Russian Tour called ‘Big Band in Russia’ was aired nationally. The band toured Australia and released it’s 5th LP entitled ‘The Daly-Wilson Big Band in Australia 77’ which achieved Gold record status.
1976 – 1977Warren was the first Australian jazz musician to be internationally recognised among the world’s elite jazz musicians in leading US jazz critic Leonard Feather’s ‘Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 70’s’
1977The band toured Australia, selling out across the capital cities and provinces and the ‘full house’ sign was up for 4 Sydney Opera House concerts (a record at that time for any Australian artist). DWBB filmed a 1 hour television special with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth ‘In Australia 77 with Cleo Laine’. Released the EP ‘Daly-Wilson Big Band with Ricky May’
1978DWBB released 6th LP ‘Too Good for a One Night Stand’, toured nationally and featured in cinema release for Ampex
1979Warren joined the Advisory Board of the Percussion Society of Australia.
1980Warren awarded Honorary Life membership to the Percussion Society of Australia for services to percussion.
1980First Australian drummer to be included in the world famous Zildjian Cymbals Hall of Fame and the notable book of the world’s master drummers “Zildjian Cymbal Set-Ups of Famous Drummers”. Warren performed in the Royal Charity Concert for Her Majesty the Queen. DWBB performed on the John Singleton Show.
1981One of 6 chosen ‘Young Achievers’ to be presented to Prince Charles at the Royal Charity Ball.
1981, 1982DWBB received MO Award for best showgroup. Warren recorded with Billy Field.
1982Nationally televised concert by DWBB at Sydney Town Hall with Sydney Symphony Orchestra celebrating the ABC’s 50th Anniversary - they performed an original arrangement by Daly and Wilson of ‘The Peer Gynt Suite’. Released the 8th Daly-Wilson Big Band LP ‘Big’n’Brassy’
1983Warren was executive producer for a prime time 1 hour national television special on the grand opening of the Regent Hotel at the Rocks in Sydney. The DWBB was one of the featured performers along with Glenn Shorrock, Jackie Love and Tommy Tycho. ABC TV filmed a one hour special ‘A Jazz Milestone’ on the DWBB. Re-release by WEA of LP ‘Daly-Wilson Big Band featuring Marcia Hines’ LP Daly-Wilson disbanded and Warren continued with his Warren Daly Big Band (WDBB).
1983 –1984Featured guest drummer with the John Hoffman Big Band at a series of concerts at The Basement.
1984Warren appointed Musical Director for the National Olympic Telethon. His Warren Daly Big Band was the featured band. Warren and the band was the featured performer for a 1 hour Christmas television special on Network 10’s ‘Good Afternoon Australia’ Produced and performed concert shows ‘Fantasia USA’.
1984-1993Toured with his Warren Daly Big Band throughout Sydney and Australia, working 80 performances per year, every year. Warren was successful in obtaining a new sponsor for his band, the NSW State Lotteries. The sponsorship was hugely successful, with Lotteries continuing their sponsorship right through until 1989-1990.
1985Warren presented the concert series ‘A Salute to Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey’ in a national tour, where his band played alongside the original members of the Dorsey bands, with Jack Leonard and The Pied Pipers. The Warren Daly Big Band nominated for a MO Award.
1986Performed on Good Morning Australia. Performed at the Royal Easter Show main concert stage. The band appeared at the Show every year up until 1990. Domain concert in the park. Produced ‘Glenn Miller Tour’ featuring the band and the showing of the original ‘Glenn Miller Story’ film. Concert performances and screenings at leading cinemas.
1986 - currentThe President’s own US Marine Corps Band featured a Warren Daly original co-composition ‘El Boro’ all over the world at their performances.
1987Performed with WDBB at Australia Day Concert in Canberra to audience of 50,000. WDBB filmed pilot TV show for Gordon Elliot.
1987-1988Concerts in Martin Place and toured nationally with the ‘Tribute to Glenn Miller’ tour.
1988Invited, along with dozens of other well-known Australian identities, to appear in the ‘Celebration of a Nation’ Bi-Centennial television commercial filmed at Ayers Rock. Performed concerts at Wonderland Amusement Park, Central Coast Mardi Gras Festival and Carols by Candlelight for WIN TV.
1989Featured artist at the Sydney Festival Jazz in the Domain Concert – celebrated 20 years of running a big band. Played to over 80,000 people. National tour of Australia with guest vocalist Maureen Kelly. WDBB was the featured performer at Variety Club Challenge Ball and also performed on the Ray Martin Channel 9 Midday Show. Warren appeared in ‘Beyond El Rocco’ a feature documentary of jazz musicians who performed at the famous El Rocco Jazz cellar throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. Aired on BBC UK and ABC.
1991Honoured and presented with An Order of Australia Medal for services to music as a bandleader and drummer.
1991-1993Hosted Jazz at Five radio show on 2NSBFM
1994ABC released 15 minute documentary ‘Moments – Big Band in Russia’
1997 – 2005Re-formed Warren Daly Quartet – performed at numerous Jazz Festivals and concerts and arranged most of the band’s charts. The quartet played the original small group version of Warren’s Old Glory Civil War arrangement.
1970 - 2010Featured in countless books on Australian Jazz, such as the Oxford Companion to Australian Jazz, The Australian Jazz Explosion, Australian Jazz Picture Book, Black Roots White Flowers, Don’t Worry Baby – They’ll Swing Their Arses Off and I Wanted to be a Jazz Musician.
2006 – 2010Whilst participating in the Australian Grand Prix historic car racing event with one of his classic cars, Warren enjoyed performing several tunes with the local Wesley College Big Band. He also assists this excellent young band with a workshop each year.
2008Featured soloist with the Royal Australian Navy Band at Speed on Tweed historic racing event.
2010Sydney Technical Boys High School invited Warren (previous student) to join the school’s Hall of Fame for his contribution to music. 2011 is the school’s centenary with 70 students chosen from 1911 on.
2008 –2010‘Old Glory – A Call to the Sons of America’. This is a project that Warren had wanted to undertake for more than 30 years. He has authored and co-written/arranged (with Martin Anderson) a 40 minute dramatic suite, which is a musical journey through the US Civil War. Written for full orchestra, this work was finally finished in 2010 and has just been recorded. It is called Old Glory. Part of this 40 minute piece is an original composition, written by Warren and Martin, which has been expanded and recorded as a stand alone song with choir called “A Call to the Sons of America’ to which Warren penned the heartfelt lyrics. These works have just been completed and recorded by Warren and his Philharmonic Orchestra. |
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