Joe Loss

Catalogue Reference:(JML) 1994.2.6

A publicity photograph of Joe Loss and his Orchestra taken on the liner Queen Elizabeth II (the QEII). Joe Loss was born in London in 1909, the son of a cabinet-maker. Although he trained as a classical violinist, he preferred jazz and big band music and at the age of 20 started his own dance band. By 1937 Joe Loss's Orchestra was the top name in big band music. His career lasted for more than 60 years. On one of his annual QEII cruises the liner docked in China and the Joe Loss Orchestra became the first western band ever to play in the country.