This is the beginning of Alyn Shipton's personal journey, starting with building a record collection in his schooldays, covering Fats Waller, Muggsy Spanier, and Artie Shaw. He hears the Ken Colyer band at 16, having already started playing the bass with various bands in Surrey and Hampshire. He cheekily invites Colyer to guest with his group, and ends up joining Colyer's band (with whom he records). He combines research into Colyer and such associates as the singer Rosina Scudder, with a widening appreciation of jazz. On the one hand, he plays with and gets to know Mike Westbrook and Lol Coxhill. On the other, he becomes lifelong friends with reseracher and trumpeter John Chilton and critic and singer George Melly. He plays in London with Mike Casimir's band first meeting such Americans as Kid Thomas and Alvin Alcorn.