Bert Ralton's Havana Band

American saxophonist Albert Lewis Ralton (ca. 1885-1927) rose to prominence during the 1910s. In 1919 he travelled to Cuba and two years later arrived in England where he soon took up residence at London’s Savoy Hotel with his Havana dance band and later recorded many songs (mainly for Columbia). Percy Dawson brought Ralton and a re-organised line-up to Australia in 1923 for the opening of his Ambassadors Hotel (Sydney). The group also appeared on the Tivoli circuit, played at various ballrooms around the country, recorded at least 30 songs for World Record in Melbourne, and featured in the 1924 film, The Price. The Australian tour saw several local musicians engaged – these being Harry Mehden (trombone), Sam Babicci (sax) and Ned Tyrell (banjo).