Sims-Wheeler Jazz Band - High Spirits

Ken Sims was the trumpet player with Mr Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band when it came to fame in the late 1950s. Ian Wheeler was in the classic line-up of Ken Colyer's Jazzmen in the 1950s. They teamed up with Mac Duncan (also from the Colyer band), Wayne Chandler and Jimmy Garforth (both ex-Terry Lightfoot Band) to create the Simms-Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band. When the band was formed a lot of hopes were pinned on it. In the end it was relatively shortlived and its very few recordings have become much sought after, but never reissued. Unlike most of the other Record Supervision releases they originally appeared on the German Polydor label. The band toured frantically during its short life and the status of its leaders ensured it would develop a sort of cult following. It ended when Ian Wheeler joined Chris Barber's band.