Felix Mendelssohn & His Hawaiian Serenaders

An interesting batch of EP's from a recent boot sale included this gem from Felix Mendelssohn on the Columbia label from the late 40's I would guess.

"Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn, a direct decendent of the great composer, was born at Brondesbury Park, London. He worked for a while in the London Stock Exchange before joining the navy at the age of seventeen. On leaving the Navy he became an actor and opened Club Felix in London which became the haunt of stage personalities in the early 1930's. In 1938 he realised his long standing ambition, first kindled on a visit to the South Sea Islands, to form a Hawaiian band. He once said “I believe that soft music allied to glamour and showmanship is a sure recipe for success” as in these easy listening fusions of Celtic and Hula. Aloha Alloa?

“Gifted with a capacity for organisation and an appreciation of the value of publicity, it was his particular genius that helped to elevate Hawaiin music to heights of popularity in England during the late 1930's and through the 1940's that have never been equalled.”

His first recording for Parlophone was in November 1939.

In the early 1940's broadcasting and recording work was directed by George Elliott, a superb plectrum guitarist who also played steel guitar. Guitar was splayed by Kealoha Life, Ivor Mairants and Wally Chapman, among others. In 1944 the band were joined by steel guitarist Jimmy McCulloch of Ayr although he never recorded with the group."

Felix Mendelssohn  -  Hawaiian War Chant/ Aloha Oe