Nearly half a century after his death, the name of Primo Scala is still remembered by lovers of accordion music and his recordings are still being reissued on compact disc. Yet there was never a person of that name, Primo Scala being one of several pseudonyms of pianist Harry Bidgood, son of composer Thomas Bidgood, famous for the march ‘Sons of the Brave’.

Harry Bidgood was born in London in 1898, receiving early musical education from his father prior to attending the Royal College of Music. He commenced his professional career just after the First World War as pianist with De Groot at the Piccadilly Hotel, London. In 1926 he started directing recording sessions for Vocalion, which, in 1928, began to issue the famous 8-inch Broadcast records. Harry directed a 'house band' for these records, known as Harry Bidgood and his Broadcasters. Other studio bands under his direction included: The New York Nightbirds, Ciro's Club Band, The Manhattan Melody Makers, Al Benny's Broadway Boys, The Riverside Dance Band and Nat Lewis and his Dance Band.

When accordion bands started to become popular in the early thirties, Harry Bidgood saw the potential and formed a band for Eclipse called Don Porto's Novelty Accordion Band. He also recorded (in 1935) as Rossini's Accordion Band for the Crown label, which sold in Woolworth's stores. It was under the alias of Primo Scala and his Accordion Band, however, that he was destined to become most famous.

There are various theories as to the origin of the name Primo Scala. It has often been suggested that 'Primo' came from a heavyweight boxer named Primo Carnera and that 'Scala' came from Emilio Scala, winner of the Irish Sweepstake, although it is more likely to have to have derived from Scala Records, once part of Vocalion, for which Bidgood recorded. Primo Scala's success on record was such that he assumed this identity for the rest of his career; furthermore, the band began to take on public engagements and by the late thirties was regularly heard on the radio. By January 1941, Primo Scala and his Accordion Band was appearing on 'Music While You Work', soon becoming one of the most frequent and popular contributors, partly because accordions came over well in the factories.

During the next 16 years the band played 296 editions. In the war years, the BBC was anxious not to be accused of employing Italians and this created a problem when using artists with Italian pseudonyms or stage-names. So, Harry's band became 'Primo Scala's Accordion Band directed by Harry Bidgood'. There was even an accompanying paragraph in the Radio Times stating that he had 'taken over' the band before the war!

For broadcasting, the Primo Scala band consisted of four accordions, two pianos, bass, drums and guitar (doubling Banjo). In the early years, a violin was sometimes included. Pictures of the band sometimes show about eight accordions but this was probably just for stage use.

After the war, Primo Scala's Accordion Band dropped the appendage 'Directed by Harry Bidgood' but continued to play regularly in MWYW as well as 'Bright and Early' — a programme on similar lines which made for a delightful way to start the day at 6.30 am.

By the fifties, Harry Bidgood had decided to make his 'sound' more commercial (at least on records) and, having dispensed with the violin, he added trumpet and saxophone for a series of records in which the band was joined by the Keynotes. Personally, I preferred the style and instrumentation which he used on the radio.

By 1956, Harry Bidgood's health was beginning to deteriorate and some of his broadcasts were directed by guitarist Ernest Penfold, whom many will remember for his South Sea Serenaders. Harry Bidgood died on 16th November 1957 at the age of 59.

During the sixties, some of Harry’s later 'Keynotes' recordings were reissued on an LP. Another LP was produced in 1962, purporting to be Primo Scala and his Accordion Band but it bore no resemblance to the band. Not surprising, since it was a group of session musicians assembled for the occasion under the direction of Ivor Raymonde. Happily, in the 21st century many original recordings of Primo Scala are now being made available on compact disc, ensuring the preservation of these happy sounds for another generation.

Listen to 'Music While You Work' played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band
as broadcast on the BBC Home Service at 10.30am on 13th. July 1956

MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK
10.30am on 13th. July 1956
played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band

Listen to 'Music While You Work' played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band
as broadcast on the BBC Light Programme at 10.30am on 24th. July 1956

MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK
10.30am on 24th. July 1956
played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band

Listen to 'Music While You Work' played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band
as broadcast on the BBC Light Programme at 10.30am on 12th. June 1956

MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK
10.30am on 12th. June 1956
played by Primo Scala and his Accordion Band