| Variations of Name | The Nitwits; Sid Millward's Nitwits |
| Relationships | Members:
Sid Millward - clarinet, conductor
Wally Stewart - comedian
Cyril Lagey - drums, comedian, dancer)
Charlie Rossi - comedian, violin
Tony Traverci - piano, clarinet, horn
Arthur Calkin - sousaphone
Sid Flood - trombone
Harry Coles - trumpet
Ronnie Genarda - banjo, vocals
Tommy Fielding - percussion
Other members:
Brian Firth (succeeding Harry Cole)
Ronnie Grenadere
Ronald Regan
San Van Hoorn
Cyril Lagey
Tommy Shand
David Pogson |
| Biography | The Nitwits were a British musical/comedy act led by Sid Millward (clarinet, conductor). Others in the band were Wally Stewart (comedian), Cyril Lagey (drummer/comedian/dancer), Charlie Rossi (comedian with violin), Tony Traverci (piano, clarinet, horn, many other instruments), Arthur Calkin (sousaphone), Sid Flood (trombonist), Harry Coles (trumpet), Ronnie Genarda (banjo/vocals) and Tommy Fielding (percussionist). Brian Firth (succeeding Harry Cole) and Ronnie Grenadere also performed with them.
They played in clubs, dance halls and on television and in the movies. They also had a long run at the in the Stardust Hotel, Las Vegas in the 60s to standing ovations playing numbers like "Twelfth Street Rag", "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Robert E. Lee".
In the 70s, the smaller Nuts and Bolts group succeeded the Nitwits with Traversi their leader. Other members included Ronald Regan, San Van Hoorn, Cyril Lagey, Tommy Shand and David Pogson. The finished up in 2001 after a two-year tour with the Kaleidoscope production of Kenneth Feld's Ringling Brothers circus. |