The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

Founded in 1969 in England and firmly associated with London, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra continues the tradition of dance orchestras of the 1920s and 1930s, with a repertoire centered on jazz, swing, ragtime and certain forms of orchestral blues. The project takes shape around John Arthy, who revives an existing ensemble after acquiring original arrangements from the interwar period, and directs the group toward a careful restitution of this heritage rather than nostalgic parody. Becoming professional in the mid-1970s, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra records a first self-titled album in 1974, followed notably by Good News in 1975, On Tour in 1976, Isn’t It Romantic in 1976 and The Show Must Go On in 1977. The lineup, whose personnel has often evolved, retains the aesthetics of large ballroom ensembles with brass, reeds and singing, in a precise, light and rhythmic style. After the departure of John Arthy in 1997, Duncan Galloway takes over the musical direction while remaining one of the group's prominent voices. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra has toured the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, and has also worked occasionally with Bryan Ferry and Robbie Williams. Among its more recent releases are Roots of Swing in 2008, Licensed To Swing in 2011, Ladies and Gentlemen in 2013, Live from London in 2016 and Back on the Road in 2021.