The Danny Mitchell Orchestra

Drummer Don Mitchell with the trumpet section Photo from Ted Davies. l-r: Don Mitchell, Ann Mitchell, Nelson Durston, Gene Jarred, Tony James. Danny Mitchell and His Orchestra kept The Pier going for years. (Incidentally, Tony James was the father of the present Landlady of The Cleveland, Lindsey Appleby). Some years later Don was the regular drummer at St. Peter's Club, South Bank and, later still, helped to make the Hope and Grope Band so enjoyable. (For the uninitiated - The Hop and Grape Pub). I have to thank Gene Jarred for correcting the line-up in the photo and for reminding us that the band had five saxes to complete the brass section: Johnny Rogers, Irene Rogers (nee Mitchell), Lee Slater, Bob Harvey and Ray dales. Gene also reminded us that he played in the Charles Amer Orchestra for about two years with Dave Moody on drums before leaving to join the band at the Astoria before joining Danny Mitchell at the Pier.