Dick Esmond became an early and enthusiastic jazz fan and especially of big band jazz, and having started to play the drums he began to follow various bands, including the Ted Heath Orchestra in particular, when he also got to know many of the musicians. Indeed, the band’s drummer, Ronnie Verrell, was, years later, to guest in Dick’s own band.
Dick later saw the Buddy Rich Big Band live on its first UK tour in around 1967, which band was something of a revelation at the time in the UK, by which time he had become even more motivated to start his own big band, which he did in around 1972. It was called the Sound of Seventeen Big Band, after the title of an original arrangement by the British pianist and writer, Harry South (with his permission, of course). The name never changed, and it became one of the better known London bands.
Dick began to acquire arrangements for the band to play, and thereafter never really stopped getting fresh charts. Many of them were arrangements contributed by British writers such as Derek Goom, Bill Le Sage and Eddie Harvey, tenorist with the band, Phil Day, Frank Griffith and latterly Phil Steele. Further arrangements also came from visiting American musicians who performed with the band, such as altoist Herb Geller and trumpeter Bobby Shew. In the 1980s, and flowing from his friendship with members of the Ted Heath band, Ted’s widow, Moira, donated a large number of Ted’s band’s original (and largely handwritten) charts. These remain in the band’s library and were regularly played, even up to the present time.
There must have been hundreds of musicians passing through Dick’s band in its 53 years’ existence, including many of Britain’s top professionals. They were all more than happy to play in the band, and it was always fun. There were too many such musicians to list in full, although they included stalwarts of the UK jazz scene such as Peter King, Pat Crumly, Andy Mackintosh, Leon Calvert, Stan Reynolds, Derek Wadsworth, Roy Willox, Eddie Mordue and and Eddie Harvey (who also wrote some wonderful original arrangements for the band, including the Ealing Comedy Suite), and occasionally Don Rendell, Bill le Sage and Ronnie Verrell.
Remarkably, Dick also managed to get prominent touring American musicians to guest with the band, such as the aforementioned Herb Geller and Bobby Shew, as well as Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Slide Hampton and Red Holloway.
Dick always encouraged younger players, and invited many of them into the band, a number of whom later went on to become well known professionals themselves.
Dick was indefatigable in his determination to keep the big band going, and he succeeded in this goal. Indeed, I don’t really recall the band ever being without a residency for very long somewhere over the 53 years of the band’s existence, as well as getting other gigs. Considering the longevity of the band, I think that must be a record in anyone’s book.
At the same time, Dick had other small band gigs at various venues, right up to the present time, with a different guest front line every time (another feat of organisation and commitment in itself!).
Few realise the amount of work that is entailed in running a regular big band, not just the gigs, of course, but also the rehearsals for them. Dick had to fix the band (although this task was latterly shared with various section members to lighten the load a little), and appropriate music had to be selected and prepared having due regard to the particular musicians who would be playing. He always made sure that suitable features were selected, and the set orders determined. On the gig, he would make all the announcements and directed proceedings from the drum kit with a ready and spontaneous wit.
In addition, Dick had the idea of a local jazz festival to showcase the many musicians living in Ealing and giving them a venue on their doorstep. He persuaded Ealing Council Leisure Services to host a weekend and due to its popularity it grew to be a week long event. The Ealing Jazz Festival has since taken place annually in Walpole Park for many years. Dick was for a large part of that time responsible for creating the entire programme, engaging the many bands who would be performing, and presenting the entire event on stage. The Sound of Seventeen would close the festival on the very last night.
Of course, it’s very important to mention Dick’s partner, Jean, who has been at Dick’s side from the very beginning, and whose constant and devoted support made it all possible. Jean has always had a very hands-on approach that went way beyond just moral support and encouragement from the sidelines. She has been there at every rehearsal and gig to help with the practical matters of setting up the music stands, handing out the music, even helping with Dick’s drums when he began to suffer from mobility problems, and, of course, getting everything packed away afterwards.
We offer our sincere condolences to Jean and the family at this difficult time. Dick was a remarkable figure on the London jazz scene and he will be remembered for his great contribution to it. Both he and Jean made things happen, and we all benefited.
Dick was a generous spirit and also very good company, and he will be greatly missed. Perhaps I could leave the last word to him. Ending one of our many telephone conversations about the band and jazz in general he said “Well, I’ll see you in my drums…”.
Dick Esmond. Born 15 August 1940 – Died 9 April 2025
7 responses
I moved to Ealing in 2002 and started playing with the Sound of 17 Big Band later on in the same year. Dick had a great passion for jazz and he was always very supportive towards young jazz musicians who lived in the area, not only by giving them a chance to play in his big band but also featuring them regularly in the summer festival which he successfully ran for decades. Dick Esmond will be greatly missed by many musicians across different generations and he definitely leaves a big hole in the West London jazz community.
During my tenure at London College of Music, Dick would often approach me and offer places in his band for my students at his rehearsals and gigs. (Once a year, the student big band would play support at a Sound of Seventeen gig).
He offered great opportunities for young musicians to sit alongside pro’s in his band for which we are all so grateful. Indeed, there have often been LCM alumni playing in the band.
Our thanks to Dick and condolences to Jean.
Thanks to Mike for an excellent tribute to Dick Esmond. He was truly a unique and memorable person, and I was pleased to count him a friend.
I joined the band as a young and keen piano player very early in the band’s history and was with them for about 20 years. I would not have believed that it would still be around as I approach my 80s – a truly incredible achievement. Mike’s history dragged so many memories from those early days so I can only relate the high points that stick in my mind. Being an impressionable jazz fan I was gob smacked when heroes of mine (see Mike’s list) turned up to play with the band, and now when listen to jazz programmes, even KCSM in America, I whisper to myself – “I played with him”! I don’t know how Dick managed it but I do know that it took a great amount of time and dedication. He often called me at work to make sure I could be at the gig, or to get me to do photocopies of parts. He had tremendous charm, and his networking skills were amazing.
It was a part of my life I look on fondly and it gave me the opportunity to experience something very different from the traditional business world.
Rest in peace Dick
To echo Vasilis and Pete, Dick was always a champion of up and coming local talent and without him putting on my band at Ealing Jazz Festival 10 years ago and giving us that initial platform, we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today. The LCM students were always treated so warmly and encouraged to sit in at the many jazz nights he put on around West London. He has left a lasting legacy and he will be greatly missed.
Dick “Ealing” Esmond. The host and instigator of all things jazz in West London’s celebrated borough. A charter member of the annual Ealing Jazz Festival from its outset in 1985 until 2015. 30 years of week long events showcasing the great and the good jazzers, many of whom were Ealing residents. A solid drummer and inspiring bandleader of the Sound Of Seventeen and equally known and loved for his bonhomie, rolling sense of humour and accessibility to all. A multitude of stratas of those serving and prosecuting the cause of Jazz in Ealing. My nonet had the privilege of playing the festival from 2000-2015 as well as Dick asking me to write several charts for the then band’s vocalist, the late Eileen Scott. Both of which exemplified Dick’s broad inclusiveness of what different musicians could contribute to matters Ealing Jazz.The like of Dick Esmond will not likely emerge again. All of the people associated with him and Ealing will be forever grateful for all that he was and offered. RIP Dick.
I met Dick in 1959, when I was working at the HMV Store in Oxford St. His office was nearby — he was training to be a Civil Engineer — and he’d call in during his lunch break. We both loved the big bands and became pals which lasted through the 1960’s and beyond. ..
Well Dick, from our days at school and starting out on our journey following the great jazz scene.
All I will say to you now is, ‘well done my old mate, very well done’!!! 👍🏼🥁