| Jay Wilbur | |
| Birth Name: | Wilbur Blinco |
| Birth Date: | 1898 |
| Birth Place: | Bournemouth, Hampshire, England |
| Death Date: | 1968 |
| Death Place: | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Genre: | Jazz Swing music Big band British dance band |
| Occupation: | Dance bandleader |
| Label: | Rex, Dominion Records, Crown, Imperial, Eclipse |
| Associated Acts: | Helen Clare, Bob and Alf Pearson, Leslie Holmes, Vera Lynn, Sam Costa, Sam Browne, Pat O'Malley |
James Edward Wilbur (1898 - 1968) was a British bandleader and prolifically recorded musician identified with and influential in the era of Big Band and British dance band music.[1]
Wilbur was born Wilbur Blinco in 1898 in Leamington Spa.[2] He became recording director for Dominion Records[3] in 1928, but left Dominion shortly before its demise, and became recording manager for the Crystalate Manufacturing Company.[4] With his own name and under many pseudonyms,[5] his recordings appeared on a variety of labels, including Imperial, Eclipse, Rex and Crown.
He broadcast for the BBC in the 1930s, often featuring guest artists such as Fats Waller.[6] In 1941, he appeared as himself in the film Hi Gang!.[7] His dance band recordings often featured a young Vera Lynn on vocals, and he later accompanied Lynn on her solo releases.[8]
Jay Wilbur and His Band performed extensively for Allied military servicemembers during World War II. He is known for recording established tunes while rendering them in foxtrot style.[9]
Wilbur died in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1968.[10]