George Chisholm

Who was George Chisholm?

George Chisholm OBE was a Scottish jazz trombonist and vocalist.

Born in Glasgow to a family of musicians, Chisholm's musical career began in the Glasgow Playhouse Orchestra. In the late 1930s he moved to London, where he played in dance bands led by Bert Ambrose and Teddy Joyce. He later recorded with jazz musicians such as Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller and Benny Carter during their visits to the U.K.

In 1940, during World War II, Chisholm signed on with the Royal Air Force and joined the RAF Dance Orchestra, remaining in the band long after he was demobbed. He followed this with freelance work and a five-year stint with the BBC Showband and as a core member of Wally Stott's orchestra on BBC Radio's The Goon Show, for which he made several acting appearances, for example as 'Chisholm MacChisholm the Steaming Celt' in 'The Macreekie Rising of '74'.

In the early 1960s, Chisholm was part of The Black and White Minstrel Show, where his act involved a significant comedy element. He was also part of the house band for the children's programmes Play School and Play Away, and had roles in the films The Mouse on the Moon, The Knack ...and How to Get It and Superman III.