LAKE Records catalogue of British Trad Jazz fills in a gap with a popular band which gave the big name bands a run for their money. When Trad Jazz was leading the way in popular music in the late 1950s a number of bands formed a second line behind the most popular bands of Ball, Barber & Bilk. One such was Dick Charlesworth & His City Gents. There was a fad for bands appearing in 'uniforms' and at its height the Trad scene sported bands dressed in Edwardian outfits, as Mississippi Gamblers, Confederate Soldiers and more. As he worked in the City before turning professional as a musician, clarinettist Dick Charlesworth opted for bowler hats and pin-stripes. Charlesworth was an accomplished clarinettist and, at a time when the clarinet was king, was ranked amongst the leading players. The band was a workman-like Trad band which could produce some good stomping Jazz. The band landed a recording deal with the major HMV label, but these recordings were made for the small independent 77 label and represent some of the best tracks the band ever recorded.