Jack Hylton

Jack Hylton
Hylton c. mid-to-late 1920s
Hylton c. mid-to-late 1920s
Background information
Birth nameJohn Greenhalgh Hilton
Also known asJack Elton
Born(1892-07-02)2 July 1892
Great Lever, Lancashire, England
Died29 January 1965(1965-01-29) (aged 72)
Marylebone, London, England
GenresJazz
Occupations
InstrumentPiano
Years active1917–1965
LabelsHMV

Jack Hylton (born John Greenhalgh Hilton;[1] 2 July 1892 – 29 January 1965) was an English pianist, composer, band leader and impresario.[2]

Hylton rose to prominence during the British dance band era, being referred as the "British King of Jazz" and "The Ambassador of British Dance Music" by the musical press, not only because of his popularity which extended throughout the world, but also for his use of unusually large ensembles for the time and his polished arrangements. He mostly retired from the music industry after 1940, becoming a successful theatrical businessman until his death.

  1. ^ He legally changed his name to Jack Hylton by deed poll on 10 November 1937: London Gazette. No. 34464. 17 December 1937. p. 7973. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 635. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.