Joshua Alexander Loss or Joe Loss, musician, born 22 June 1909 in Spitalfields, London died 1990, was one of the great British bandleaders, whose career stretched over six decades, Joe Loss always held a special place in the affections of the people, and his death in 1990 was considerably mourned.

He was the youngest of four children of Israel and Ada Loss, Russian Jews who were first cousins. His father was a cabinet-maker who had an office furnishing business, and his wife, Ada Loss. Joe started violin lessons at the age of seven. He was educated at Jews' Free School, Trinity College of Music and the London College of Music.

He developed a passion for dance music and while still in his teens he formed 'The Magnetic Dance Band'. Despite this, Joe's first professional engagements were at the local cinema where he would accompany the silent movies of the day.

Joe went on to play with various dance orchestras at that time, and by 1930 he had formed his first professional band- a seven piece that played at the Astoria Ballroom in London. This moved on after a short time to the Kit-Cat Club in Haymarket, and in 1933 its reputation had grown to the point where it was called upon to make its first radio broadcast. The band was extremely successful before the outbreak of war though its style was always 'straight' dance music and could not be classified properly as jazz. Joe's approach was to cater for the dancing public first and foremost but so many of his performances delighted listeners too. His recordings from 1935 to 1942 were greatly enriched by the voice of Chick Henderson who spent most of his professional career with the Loss Band. The Loss band and Chick made many memorable recordings such as THE SCENE CHANGES (HMV BD 5084), I KNOW NOW (RZ MR 2527) and PLEASE BE KIND (RZ MR 2787). The band could really swing too when playing such numbers as A-TISKET, A-TASKET (RZ MR2816) tackled with great vigour. Vera Lynn made her first broadcast with Joe Loss in 1935.

Joe managed to keep the band together despite the war and even played to the British Expeditionary Force in France during 1940.

The Joe Loss orchestra was one of the most successful acts of the Big band era, in the nineteen forties, with hits such as "In the mood", "March of the Mods" and "The Stripper". Also, the early 1960s gave the band more recognition with five entries in the pop singles charts with 'Wheels Cha Cha', a revival of the String-A-Longs' hit 'Wheels', “Sucu Sucu” (from Top Secret), the theme from Maigret, Must Be Madison and March Of The Mods.

The popularity of the Joe Loss orchestra withstood the rapid changes that took place after the war, and unashamedly pandered to the fashions of the time. As the dance halls gave way to television so did the band. By playing whatever was proving popular at the time the band never became anachronistic and outlasted all its rivals- playing up until 1990 without a break - a record without equal (in England). He adapted his approach as musical styles changed over the years but always maintained a high standard, and in recognition of this Joe was awarded the OBE in 1978 for services to music.

Loss' daughter Jennifer was the wife of famous British coachbuilder Robert Jankel. Elvis Costello's father, Ross McManus, sang with the Joe Loss Orchestra. The Joe Loss orchestra carries on to this day under the musical direction of Todd Miller who was a vocalist with the band for many years prior to Joe Loss's death. Todd sought and obtained the permission of Joe's widow to carry on the band's name.

The Joe Loss Orchestra would turn anything that was a good tune into something in their own style. The music had no boundaries, it could be jazz, blues, light classic or rock and roll- if you could dance to it, then Joe's orchestra would play it.

Joe Loss died June 6, 1990.