Australian Jazz Band travelled to the United Kingdom in early 1948 and Bell started the Leicester Square Jazz Club, playing music specifically for dancing, which continued into the 1950s. They played songs outside the standard jazz repertoire and, with their encouragement of dancing, caused concern to local jazz enthusiasts, but were popular with patrons. According to "The Age", his "band's music was hailed for its distinctive Australian edge, which he describes as "nice larrikinism" and "a happy Aussie outdoor feel". The Cootamundra Jazz Band was one of many to be influenced by Bell's music.