Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Jay Whidden And His New Midnight Follies Band play "I Don't Want Nobody But You", featuring what is almost certainly the first hot harp solo on record, played by Mario Lorenzi. The harp is even mentioned on the label!
Mario Lorenzi was born on May 29th, 1894 in Florence, Italy. He died on June 1st, 1967 in London. His father, Giorgio Lorenzi, was also a harpist and composed many pieces for the instrument. Mario started to learn to play the harp when he was just four years old. He received his diploma in harp in 1908 from the Florence Conservatory. The following year, the Lorenzi family moved to London and Mario found work touring the music halls and variety theatres billed as "The King of Harpists." In 1916, he joined in the Beecham Opera Company. In addition to harp, Mario also played saxophone and clarinet, a versatility that was not lost on the top London-based dance band leaders of the time. He joined Jay Whidden's band at the Hotel Metropole, Northumberland Avenue, London, in 1926, playing alto sax and clarinet in addition to the harp.
After working in Jay Whidden band, Lorenzi played harp in Fred Elizalde's band at the Savoy Hotel, though did not play any hot solos on the band's records. In the 1930s, he recorded a number of sides under the title "Mario 'Harp' Lorenzi And His Rhythmics". Unfortunately, he had to give up playing in the 1950s due to arthritis in his hands.
JAY WHIDDEN AND HIS NEW MIDNIGHT FOLLIES BAND
Jay Whidden, vocals, directing: Freddy Pitt and Tim Cave - trumpets / Joe Cordell - trombone / Doug Foss and Alf Loder - alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet / Ernie C. Smith - tenor sax, clarinet / Mario Lorenzi - harp / Bruce Merrill - piano / Nigel Newitt - banjo / George Gibbs - brass bass / Jack Gordon - drums
Recorded in London, October 12th, 1926
WA-4248-1…….I Don't Want Nobody But You…….Columbia 4138
Jay Whidden And His New Midnight Follies Band play "I Don't Want Nobody But You", featuring what is almost certainly the first hot harp solo on record, played by Mario Lorenzi. The harp is even mentioned on the label!
Mario Lorenzi was born on May 29th, 1894 in Florence, Italy. He died on June 1st, 1967 in London. His father, Giorgio Lorenzi, was also a harpist and composed many pieces for the instrument. Mario started to learn to play the harp when he was just four years old. He received his diploma in harp in 1908 from the Florence Conservatory. The following year, the Lorenzi family moved to London and Mario found work touring the music halls and variety theatres billed as "The King of Harpists." In 1916, he joined in the Beecham Opera Company. In addition to harp, Mario also played saxophone and clarinet, a versatility that was not lost on the top London-based dance band leaders of the time. He joined Jay Whidden's band at the Hotel Metropole, Northumberland Avenue, London, in 1926, playing alto sax and clarinet in addition to the harp.
After working in Jay Whidden band, Lorenzi played harp in Fred Elizalde's band at the Savoy Hotel, though did not play any hot solos on the band's records. In the 1930s, he recorded a number of sides under the title "Mario 'Harp' Lorenzi And His Rhythmics". Unfortunately, he had to give up playing in the 1950s due to arthritis in his hands.
JAY WHIDDEN AND HIS NEW MIDNIGHT FOLLIES BAND
Jay Whidden, vocals, directing: Freddy Pitt and Tim Cave - trumpets / Joe Cordell - trombone / Doug Foss and Alf Loder - alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet / Ernie C. Smith - tenor sax, clarinet / Mario Lorenzi - harp / Bruce Merrill - piano / Nigel Newitt - banjo / George Gibbs - brass bass / Jack Gordon - drums
Recorded in London, October 12th, 1926
WA-4248-1…….I Don't Want Nobody But You…….Columbia 4138
