Brian Rust was 81 this year. As the originator of present-day jazz, dance band and label discography, his works are revered world-wide. He became interested in popular music from the age of 7, listening to broadcasts from radio station 2LO, in London, England. One night a week, Christopher Stone, one of the first disc-jockeys, played the latest selections from the new Parlophone Rhythm-Style record series. The Rhythm-Styles featured music that was a little peppier than the standard dance-band offerings; genuine jazz music from the great bands of the time, with a heavy infusion of black bands; Ellington, Armstrong, Earl Hines, Fats Waller, alongside the Dorseys, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols and Joe Venuti. That got him started. ...more