Jack Ayre

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Ivor Ernest "Jack" Ayre (* 1894 in Devonshire , England , † 1977 ) was a Canadian pianist and composer.

Life

Ayre emigrated to Canada in 1910 and worked there as a silent film pianist. In 1916 he was drafted into the Canadian Army. He came to Europe and in 1917 became a pianist, occasionally conductor and musical director of the Dumbells , the concert party of the 3rd Canadian Division. The group served to support the troops, and Ayre composed for them a. a. the theme song, The Dumbell Rag .

After the war, the Dumbells became a civil traveling band and variety group, to which Ayre, again as pianist and musical director, belonged. The troupe became very popular and toured the United States, Canada and England from 1919 to 1921 with the piece Biff, Bing, Bang . It was played en suite at the Ambassodor for 12 weeks and was the first Canadian revue to be shown on Broadway ; Ayre became the first Canadian to conduct on Broadway.

Other shows followed: The Dumbells Revue (1922), Carry On (1922), Cheerio (1923), Oh, Yes and Aces High (1924), Lucky 7 (1925), Three Bags Full, Joy Bombs, That's That and Let 'he Go (1926) Oo! La! La! (1927), Why Worry? (1928), Here 'Tis and Come Eleven (1929), Happy Days (1930), As You Were (1931) and The Dumbells (1933).

As a result of the global economic crisis, the group was dissolved, Ayre continued to appear as a pianist in clubs and at events.

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personal data
SURNAME Ayre, Jack
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Ayre, Ivor Ernest
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Canadian pianist and composer
DATE OF BIRTH 1894
PLACE OF BIRTH Devonshire , England
DATE OF DEATH 1977