Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2011 | Page 123

on to pursue his session
career. However, when Syd
announced he was going to
retire, Chris was approached
to take over the band,
and did so. Subsequently
Chris Dean’s 15-piece Syd
Lawrence Orchestra, with
vocalist Angie Mills, has
been voted best big band in
the country for the past 13
years.
Despite his 100 or so
appearances each year with
the band, Chris still records
fairly regularly and among
his TV credits music has
been ‘Surprise, Surprise’,
‘New Faces’, ‘Barrymore’
and Royal Variety
performances.
He said: “Since taking over
I have worked to keep the
band very similar to the way
it was under Syd, because
one of the things I enjoyed
when I worked under him
was how he maintained such
a high standard. He made
you feel as if you were a part
of something special. Before
he died I promised him I

would try to maintain those
standards, and arrange the
music the way he arranged
it, but also moved things on
as well.”
The band continues to go
from strength to strength
and has the largest big band
society in the world. When
Chris is not at the helm
he can often be seen at
Brading Haven Yacht Club
performing for members as
part of a quartet.
“We have some nice
concert evenings, and at the
same time raise money for
the Yacht Club. It is a good
social occasion, and I have
a lot of friends there. As
for sailing I am a naughty
sailor, because I have what
is generally called a ‘stink
pot’ - a motor boat,” smiled
Chris. “But I do spend a
lot of time in Bembridge
because I love the Island,
and feel very relaxed every
time I visit.”

Top left: Chris Dean who has maintained the style and sound
of the famous Syd Lawrence Orches