The Nitwits

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.