Period Jazz masters.

[robgil]

Poor old Dave Brubeck has sadly passed away, on the eve of his 92'nd birthday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=faJE92phKzI

Apparently he was scheduled to play at a birthday concert, it was not cancelled but instead became a celebration of the artists life.

 

[plasticpigeon]

We lost Patrick Moore this weekend too.

Not may of the old jazzers left now. I really want to see Sonny Rollins before he leaves us, but the Barbican always sells out by the time I hear he is back on these shores.

 

[88v8]

Before my father moved full-time into the Classic guitar, he was a jazzer. Late 30s through 50s. Mainly plectrum guitar, but also double-bass, trumpet. Mainly in the north with small groups, but a few times he played with Fats, Ella, Django, and broadcast with Ivor Mairants. I remember Wes Montgomery, Ike Isaacs and Jim Hall coming to our house. The jazz culture was so strong then, sad how it's declined. Jazz FM long gone, now we have a couple of programmes on R3, plus some modern stuff of the squeaky gate variety which to my mind carries part of the blame for the recent decline but to be fair the rot set in with the advent of Elvis when jazz ceased to be the pop of the day. Plus television which gave up on jazz long ago. Thank goodness the rise of jazz coincided with the means to record it, at least we still have our 78s and LPs

Ivor

 

[Bayliss]

R.I.P. Dave Brubeck.

Jazz is due a revival, although its never been away, just always around the corner. Give Bryan Ferry's new album a listen and enjoy.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Ivor, I'm almost in disbelief that so many great musicians came to your house but the idea that you met Wes Montgomery just floors me. He is without a doubt my all time favourite musician, and hands down for me the greatest guitar player ever. I think I have every record that features him. I heard he was a quiet and unassuming man. What are your memories of him??

Also I keep thinking I must go and see Louis Stewart play as he is getting old now. I reckon he must be just about the best bebop style player in the world at the mo and he is only over in Dublin.

Here's a clip from the 80s of Louis Stewart with Ronnie Scott. It seem jazz had a revival in the 80s, but I was too young to appreciate it then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKwr8oEGHdg

 

[Penners]

Before my father moved full-time into the Classic guitar, he was a jazzer. Late 30s through 50s. Mainly plectrum guitar, but also double-bass, trumpet. Mainly in the north with small groups, but a few times he played with Fats, Ella, Django, and broadcast with Ivor Mairants. I remember Wes Montgomery, Ike Isaacs and Jim Hall coming to our house.

I guess your father would have known, or at least been familiar with the work of, Ken Sykora. Britain's top jazz guitarist for many years.

I knew Ken well. In the 60s I used to contribute to his radio show Guitar Club, and sing folk music with his wife, Helen. You might be interested in a CD and DVD that have just been published:

http://www.themanwiththejazzguitar.com/

 

[plasticpigeon]

Ivor, are there any recordings of your father around? He was obviously a well connected and respected musician.

 

[88v8]

Recordings? I have an acetate he cut with a small group oop north in the ate 30s, but he was on trumpet and tbh the whole thing is pretty awful. He also played trumpet with the Halle for a while. Although he won the Melody Maker solo plectrum guitar award in the late 40s - I have his medals somewhere - he was always conscious of being in the second rank and never seriously pursued a playing career. Alas, afaik no recordings exist of him on guitar other than one acetate of him playing, dang, I can hear the tune but not recall its name... although now you mention it there might be something in the BBC broadcast archives.

Wes Montgomery.... Well, I was pretty young then, and the comings and goings of musicians were as normal and unremarkable as the furniture so I can't claim to have any great recollections of him, but insofar as I remember your description is apt.
My father wrote about him, here, although by the late 60s he'd given up active jazz in favour of teaching and writing for the classic guitar:
http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/wesbmg.htm

Ken Sykora, gosh yes I recall the name. Guitar Club... yes I fancy my father had some peripheral involvement there. Thankyou, I'll save that for later.

Ivor

 

[Moo]

I know it's not jazz, but it was sad to learn this morning that the lovely Ravi Shankar has also died.

 

[robgil]

He did indeed Moo, but his music will live on through his daughter.