Vi Highland owned and ran Studio 51 in Great Newport Street, London WC1, with the help of Pat Mayhew, "two very able girls" according to Ken. So named because it opened as a venue for live music in 1951, Ken had played here with the Cranes and thought that it would be an ideal home for the Ken Colyer Jazzmen. After discussions with Vi, Studio 51 became the Ken Colyer Club managed by Vi.

Johnny Bastable was now Ken’s regular banjo player, having replaced Dis Disley whilst the band was in Germany. He would stay with Ken until the band’s final days. Ron Ward (bass) and Colin Bowden (drums) then joined the band, soon to be followed by pianist Ray Foxley: the "classic" band had arrived.

The club soon built up, with the band playing to capacity crowds whenever it appeared at Studio 51. The band was in great demand, both in the UK and abroad, particularly in Germany, there were very few free days.

In 1957, following the lifting of a Musicians Union ban on visiting American musicians, George Lewis came to Britain for a tour with Ken’s band. George was met at Manchester Airport by a New Orleans parade band, then it was off for a quick rehearsal. After a few numbers, George is reputed to have said "we don’t need no rehearsal, we’re musicians."

The tour was an incredible success and when, two years later, George was back with his full band, Ken’s band was the obvious choice to tour with them.

A contract with Decca produced some notable records: the EP "They all Played Ragtime," LP’s "Club Session With Colyer" and "Colyer Plays Standards," a 10 inch LP of Ken’s parade band "Marching Back To New Orleans," several 78’s and singles of Ken’s distinctive skiffle group and a superb live recording made during a German tour, "Colyer In Hamburg".

The parade band, The Omega, augmented by Sonny Morris, Bob Wallis and others, became a regular feature of events such as the Aldermaston March.