Tom Jennings

This page for the time being is simply a series of articles - snippets if you like - on or by Tom Jennings during the period 1949-1967. One can hear Tom speaking in the clip from the 1966 NAMM show at the foot of the page.

Below, a youthful Tom making a distribution deal with The Excelsior Accordion Corporation in the summer of 1949. But all was not well - see the remonstration published on the back cover of "The Accordionist and Harmonica Player", February 1950. The magazine was a Jennings publication, its office at 119 Dartford Road. Accordions were Jennings' main business in the early days.

Accordionist magazine, June 1949

"The Accordionist and Harmonica Player" magazine, June 1949.

Accordionist magazine, February 1950

Back cover of "The Accordionist and Harmonica Player" magazine, February 1950.

Tom's piece on the care and repair of Accordions. Repair and servicing was an important element of the company's business.

Accordionist magazine, March 1950
Accordionist magazine, March 1950

"The Accordionist and Harmonica Player" magazine, March 1950.

National Accordion Day, 4th November, 1950, St Pancras Town Hall, London. Tom in front of the "Jennings of Dartford" stand.

Accordionist magazine, December 1950

"The Accordionist and Harmonica Player" magazine, December 1950.

An account of the new venture - the opening of the Jennings shop at 100 Charing Cross Road. For more on the shop, .

Accordionist magazine, January 1950

"The Accordionist and Harmonica Player" magazine, January/February 1951.

Beat Instrumental magazine, November 1964

"Beat Instrumental" magazine, November 1964. There are some inaccuracies in Tom's recall in this piece.

Time and Tide magainze, April 1965, Tom Jennings

"Time and Tide" magazine, 15-21 April, 1965. Some fascinating insights - his shudder at the mention of "beat television programmes", the number of people employed by the company at the time (around 170).

Article published in "The Telegraph" magazine (Sunday Supplement no. 34, 14th May, 1965). The large introductory picture of the Stones has not been included:

Telegraph magazine, 14th May, 1965
Telegraph magazine, 14th May, 1965
Telegraph magazine, 14th May, 1965

At the NAMM show at the Conrad Hilton, Chicago, 10th-14th July 1966, Dick Denney showcased the Vox Guitar organ, as ever. Tom spelt things out for the interviewer. Note that in the video linked below the amplifiers on show are American-made Thomas Organ models. The new Thomas solid state range by and large obviated the need to buy valve equipment from England. The video is here.