In fact, Ken's trip to New Orleans was in 1952, he overstayed his Entrance Permit and got six months in the Slammer as a result.
Chris Barber had assembled the line up of himself, Monty,Lonnie, Jim Bray and Ron Bowden to await Ken's return to a hero's welcome, and this became the first Ken Colyer Band. In May 1954, Ken became dissatisfied with the way the band was developing and sacked the rhythm section.
Chris and Monty resigned and recruited Pat Halcox as cornettist.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Source: 'Jazz' by Rex Harris, published in 1957 (God, I'm OLD)

FC