A Term coined by the Jazz trumpeter KEN COLLIER who brought back to London in the early 1950's from New Orleans, a form of Jazz music based on French/ African cajan based influences. Combined with American folk music, blue grass and country mountain songs, this music was soon picked up by members of Colliers Trad Jazz band and performed during the intervals of trad concerts. Tony'Lonnie' ( after Lonnie Jonson) who played banjo in the band, switched to guitar, Chis Barber the band's trombonist picked up slap double bass and Beryl Brydon, who sang with the band, played washboard. It became an instant success. In 1956 Lonnie Donegan had a number one hit with Rock island line and forthe nest 18 months skiffle was king, until Elvis! Skiffle groups sprung up all over Britain.In a post war slump, the only expense in forming a skiffle group was a guitar ( then purchased for as little as £3 ), Bass was supplied with a simple teas chest,string and broom handle. All you then needed was mum's washboard and off you went"
Hank Marvin,Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and many other influencial musicians, started out in skiffle bands.