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Home , Eddie Harvey, John Altman (composer), Mike Westbrook, Vic Lewis

Ne w s L E T T e R Editor: Dave Gelly ISSUE 21 ° November 2010

Making Progress There has been excel- lent progress in the devel- opment phase of our Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) access develop- ment project. The Project Archivist, Lawrence Barker, has been Alan Barnes – great raconteur as

NATIONAL ARCHIVE JAZZ NATIONAL busy identifying, accessioning well as a phenomenal musician and sample-cataloguing our Angela Davies, Project – will be the subject of our next collections, using the Essex Manager, and Lawrence Celebrity Interview and play live Record Office’s online cata- Barker, Project Archivist on Saturday 26 March 2011, loguing system.* The collec- 1.30 – 4.30pm, at tions have also been reorgan- Flow Associates have ised and rehoused in special devised a questionnaire, Loughton Methodist Church archival boxes, and our poli- inviting interested people Tickets £10 from David Nathan cies and procedures have and organisations to con- at the Archive been refined. All this has been tribute ideas to help the (cheques payable to National approved by senior archivists Archive achieve the widest Jazz Archive) and conservators at Essex possible appeal. Please also see Page 5 Record Office. This development phase is We have also been work- scheduled to be completed ing with our consultants, by the end of November and Flow Associates, to develop a will provide us with a plan of comprehensive Education approach when submitting and Outreach programme to our second-round application support our major bid. The early in 2011. N J A Archive plans to do this *The Archive’s accessions Loughton Library, Traps Hill through digitisation and smart records have been published Loughton, Essex IG10 1HD use of digital media channels. on SEAX. To view them, go Tel. 020 8502 0181 We also aim to improve the to http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk Fax 020 8508 5041 access offer at the Archive and enter NJA in the e-mail: [email protected] itself and work locally with Document Reference box, website: nationaljazzarchive.co.uk audience groups. top right of the screen. SUPPORTED BY ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, LIBRARIES ARCHIVE NEWS by DAVID NATHAN jazz discographer, donated a George Webb Collection considerable amount of his original research material, A BBC contract dating from especially in relation to the 1946 was among the Brunswick, Okeh and Vocalion fascinating collection of labels. There were also some correspondence, photographs books which we did not have, and books donated to the including Brunswick – the story Archive by Penny Ham, of an American company from George Webb’s daughter. The 1845 to 1985 and Record contract, for a broadcast in Collecting - a guide for beginners the Radio Rhythm Club series

by Boris Semeonoff. Photo: John Root, Ongar Jazz on the Light Programme, David Nathan stipulates a fee of 16 guineas Pre-war British Ongar Jazz Club (£16.80) for seven musicians, bandleaders ‘including the personal At our summer jazz event Tom Leonard sent us signed appearance of George Webb John Root presented us with a photos of British bandleaders, as conductor’. cheque for £250 on behalf of including Billy Cotton, Joe Ongar Jazz Club. Our grateful Among the books which we Loss and Jack Payne. With the thanks go to them for their did not already have were The help of Trustee Graham continuing magnificent World of Trog, by Wally Langley, we have also recently support of the Archive and to Fawkes, Ain’t Misbehavin’ – the purchased a fine collection of John for the excellent photo Story of Colchester Jazz Club, signed photographs of several and video work he does at and two from Lord Arsenal other bandleaders, including many events. (Alan Bradley): Laugh? I nearly Ambrose, Roy Fox, Geraldo, smoked by own fags! and Joe Bryan mementoes Henry Hall and Jack Jackson, Laugh? I nearly bought my own Victoria Bryan sent us papers together with unsigned beer!. The latter has a nice and flyers relating to The pictures of many more photo on the cover of George Canteen, the jazz club in bandleaders and players. with his wife Minha and Digby Parker Street, Covent Historic souvenir Fairweather. . Garden, operated by her William Powell sent us a A report on the tribute uncle, Joe Bryan, from 1981 splendid tie from the concert to George appears on to 1983, together with other memorial cricket match page 6. venues of the early played on 10th July between eighties. The material was Owen and Iris Bryce CC and Royal donated on behalf of Joe’s Household CC. During the George Webb widow, Jean Bryan. tribute concert, Owen and Iris Brian Fearon Jazz Book Club kindly gave me some splendid Brian, who is a Friend of the jazz calendars, including the George Clemence has Archive, brought in a Classic Jazz and Golden Age donated a complete run of considerable number of books, of Jazz photo-calendars this classic reprint series. some of which we did not featuring work by Milt Hinton, Frank Dutton Collection have. The balance went into Herman Leonard and William Patricia Davies, sister of the our Outreach programme. Gottlieb. late Frank Dutton, distinguished Continued on page 3 2 National Jazz Archive Newsletter Issue 21 Angela Taylor Jazz North-East, where he was Books), Digby Fairweather, Jane Angela brought in a run of secretary for 35 years. She gave Hunter-Randall, Sir Michael Melody Makers from 1949 to us a wonderful donation of Parkinson, Arthur Vines and the 1964, which had belonged to £400, part of the funds raised at Wavendon Foundation. her late father, Donald King. a Jazz North-East tribute New books concert dedicated to Chris’s Ormonde Thompson Apart from those we purchase memory. To date, Laura has courtesy of Essex County Ormonde, the widow of also sent us samples of Chris’s Council, signed copies have trumpeter Bill Thompson, course planning outlines which kindly been donated by donated his book collection, he used in adult education – A Duncan Heining of his book together with some magazines Short History of Jazz (1), Jazz, George Russell: the story of an and a framed New Orleans Blues and Gospel Music, and Ten American composer (Scarecrow caricature More Major Jazz Recordings. Press) and Ray Pallett’s They Brian White and Geoff Cole Other donations Called Him Al – the musical life These two fine musicians Our thanks also go to all our of Al Bowlly (Bear Manor called in and donated donors since the last Media). Jazz North-East also programmes and a superb, Newsletter, including Jean Ager sent us a copy of Chris Yates’s large framed montage of (via John Scott Cree), Brian book Blue Horizons (Farthings photos of American stars who Barnard, Derek Coller, Martin Design & Publishing). have guested with the Magna Colvill, Roger Horton, George Volunteers Jazz Band at New Malden Jazz Hulme, Rodney Jones, Eric Sincere and continuing thanks Society gigs at the Brewster, Kemp, Veronica Laurie, Jill go to our splendid team for Kingston – including Kenny Llewellyn (on behalf of the late their excellent work – Wally Davern, Yank Lawson, George Eric Koss), Scott Nicol, Karen Barnard, Gemma Boyd, Steve Masso and Benny Waters. Prentice, David Richards, John Carter, Alan Quaife, Christine Laura Yates Rothery, Hughie Weiner and Smith and George Wilkinson. Betty Wright. Thanks also to Laura is the widow of Chris Grateful thanks also to Jackie the donors of raffle prizes at Yates, the distinguished jazz Pryke and Peter Smith for all our Summer Event – Ann & writer (Jazz UK, Jazz Rag etc), their great support at our Roger Cotterrell (Northway lecturer and a leading light of events. Jazz Archive at the Barbican The Archive is to have its own exhibition at At a meeting with the Barbican’s Assistant the Barbican Music Library, one of the most Music Librarian, Richard L. Jones, Archivist prestigious of its kind in Britain. It will take David Nathan and Trustee Dave Gelly also its place in the Library’s programme of pre- arranged for the Barbican to keep a supply sentations on special topics, showing exam- of Archive brochures on display and to ples of the wide variety of material and top- receive regular copies of this Newsletter for ics covered by our activities. its periodicals section. The exhibition space is an established feature It is planned to mount the exhibition in April of the Library’s entrance foyer, prominently 2011, the exact date to be announced on sited and equipped with well-placed spot- our website. The duration has yet to be lights. It also features a ‘listening post’ and decided. It is hoped that this will be the first headphones, which we aim to programme in an occasional series of such presenta- with appropriately chosen jazz tracks. tions. Issue 21 National Jazz Archive Newsletter 3 New Patrons The National Jazz Archive is Kate Westbrook’s proud to announce the repertoire embraces names of three distinguished Contemporary Music, Opera new Patrons. They are and Music Hall, as well as composers and performers Jazz and Popular Song. She Kate and Mike Westbrook has sung with ensembles as and author and academic diverse as The London Professor Stuart Symphony Orchestra, her Nicholson. own band The Skirmishers, Mike and Kate Westbrook Mike Westbrook, whose Heribert Leuchter’s ‘Lux personal papers are now Orchester’ and the many lodged here at the Archive, Westbrook groups. Her has led and composed for recordings include Goodbye Big Bands and small groups Peter Lorre featuring the since the 1960’s. He has Brecht / Eisler ‘Hollywood toured extensively and has Elegies’, Cuff Clout, a modern made 50 albums. His music hall, in which her lyrics principal compositions for are set by eight composers from the worlds of jazz, Jazz Orchestra include Prof Stuart Nicholson Citadel/Room 315 featuring rock, pop and contemporary , On Duke’s classical music and ‘allsorts’ a journalism has appeared in Birthday dedicated to the Duo album with Mike the pages of The New York memory of Westbrook. Kate’s Times, The Times, The Daily and Big Band Rossini which one–woman opera Cape Telegraph, The Observer and was featured in the 1992 Gloss, featuring soprano The Independent and Proms. His recent album Marie Vassiliou, was Jazzwise. He has lectured at Chanson Irresponsible, is premiered in 2007. Her many European jazz performed by the New latest recording is Fine ‘n conservatories and in 2009 Westbrook Orchestra, a Yellow, with music by Mike was invited to give the group that combines jazz Westbrook and produced by keynote address to 170 and classical musicians. Jon Hiseman. Kate is also an heads of European jazz Current performing projects internationally renowned conservatories at the AGM include the Duo with Kate painter. of the Jazz Platform of the Westbrook, Trio with Kate Stuart Nicholson is Visiting Association of European and saxophonist Chris Professor at Leeds College Conservatories in Amsterdam. Biscoe, The Village Band and of Music. He has written six He is currently writing his a revival off - books on jazz, biographies of seventh book, examining in inspired Off Abbey Road. His Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald more detail the issues raised latest composition The and Duke Ellington, Jazz- in his critically acclaimed Is Serpent Hit will be Rock: A History, Jazz: The Jazz Dead (Or Has It Moved premiered in London in April 1980s Resurgence and Is Jazz to a New Address)? 2011. Dead (Or Has It Moved to a New Address)? His jazz

4 National Jazz Archive Newsletter Issue 21 Barnes Storming Loughton! Over the years the National Jazz Archive’s Annual Celebrity Interview has played host to jazz legends – from Tiny Winters to Sir – whose careers spanned over six decades. It’s to the credit of saxophonist ALAN BARNES that he has packed similar volumes of activity into not much more than a third of that time. He was first noticed amid the quartet of drummer Tommy Chase in the mid l980s but moved on to a five-year degree course with ’s band culminating in and projects such as ‘The another kindred musical graduation in l983. Sherlock Holmes Suite’ and spirit (and trumpeter) Bruce After a further ten-year ‘Seven Ages of Jazz’ reveal Adams. period playing music in all him as a writer comparable In recent years – and a lot jazz styles and contexts - to his old friend Sir John longer than that, for those from guitarist Gary Potter’s Dankworth; both for their who know him well - Alan’s quartet to big bands led by joyful celebration of the jazz irrepressible senses of Mike Westbrook, Kenny spirit and likeable humour and observation Baker and more – his solo preoccupation with all- have made him the perfect career began its non-stop British themes. candidate for our NJA climb until today when he is Jazzlovers of all generations Celebrity Interview and help regularly cited as Britain’s will no doubt be aware of to ensure that his arrival on- most prolific jazzman; Alan’s enviable discography stage in March* will blow grounded securely in the which includes everything away what’s left of the music’s classic tenets but from collaborations with Winter blues. able to move between its premier-league British Digby genres with concomitant performers to legendary Fairweather Americans (such as creative ease. *Please see trumpeter ) – His abilities as composer front page for as well of course as his own match his talents as musician, details

long term partnership with James CrathornePhoto: Lord Vacher Photo: Peter Issue 21 National Jazz Archive Newsletter 5 A Tribute to George The life of George Webb, acknowledged Father of the revival, Trustee and latterly Patron of the NJA, was celebrated by a packed 100 Club on 9th May, at a session organised by Digby Fairweather in association with the Archive. Musicians present ranged from a (non-playing) Monty Sunshine to a very-much- playing Eric Delaney, with special applause reserved Photo: Bernard Harris, courtesy of “Just Jazz” Original Dixelanders Wally Fawkes and Owen Bryce with for three members of the trombonist Geoff Cole original George Webb Dixielanders (1943-48) – Alex Berry, Dave Gelly Wally Fawkes (clarinet), (tenor) and Britain’s leading (trombonist swing vocalist, Val Wiseman. with the Dixielanders, but George Webb’s New here playing piano), and Dixielanders took the stage Owen Bryce (trumpet), still for the second half: Chez playing well and 90 in Chesterman (trumpet), August. Geoff Cole (trombone), For the first half, Digby, John Crocker (clarinet), leading on cornet, had Dave Browning (piano), Roy organised an all-star band James (Guitar), Don Smith with John Barnes (alto), (bass) and Laurie Chescoe Brian White (clarinet), Chris (drums). Owen Bryce and

Gower (trombone), Eddie Wally Fawkes appeared courtesy of “Just Jazz” Photo: Jim Pack, Harvey (piano), Paul Sealey together to recreate a page George’s daughter, Penny (guitar), Ron Russell and his of British jazz history. Ham, with Presentation Cup son Grant, alternating on Midway through the pro- bass, and Eric Delaney Revival, from Britain’s jazz ceedings Digby presented (drums). Wally Fawkes community with respect, George’s daughter, Penny, came aboard to give a gratitude and deep affec- with a Remembrance Cup, stately and inspired rendi- tion. May 9th 2010.’ The inscribed: ‘In memory of tion of his own Trog’s Blues. base of the cup bears the George Webb, Founder of The band was also joined by inscription, ‘A National Jazz Britain’s Traditional Jazz a fine young clarinet player, Archive Presentation’.

6 National Jazz Archive Newsletter Issue 21 The Lives of John Altman The special guest at our Skyrockets, the resident from her Summer Event in July was orchestra. They were briefcase film and TV composer, watching from the wings, and arranger and saxophonist when John, catching sight of proceeded John Altman. After an hour his uncle, ran onto the to save the Photo: John Root, Ongar Jazz and a half of non-stop stage during ’s day. It John Altman reminiscence by him, in act. She sat him on her lap transpired conversation with Digby and sang Over The Rainbow that she was a fully qualified Fairweather, a stunned to him. piano tuner. One for the audience could only As a teenager, John was a next Pop Trivia Quiz? conclude that he had big blues fan. Muddy A fuller report of the event, already absorbed enough Waters performed at his by David Nathan, can be experiences to fill several 21st birthday party. seen on our website: lives, and showed no signs John Altman is credited as nationaljazzarchive.co.uk of letting up. co-writer with , of The conversation was Here are just a few nuggets. the Python anthem Always followed by a music Sid Phillips, the band-leader, Look on the Bright Side of session, with John playing was John’s uncle. In 1924, Life. soprano and baritone at the age of 17, he played John has arranged and saxophones, Digby on with a band called the produced several Number cornet, Ted Beament Melodians in Italy, where he One hits, including Walking (piano), Len Skeat (bass) met and became friendly in the Air for and and Bobby Worth (drums). with Puccini. That Ole Devil Called Love A highlight of the session John’s stage debut came at for . To record was John’s performance of the age of three, when his the latter, they used an his own composition, mother took him to the unfamiliar studio where the Strange Fascination, written London Palladium, where piano turned out to be for the 1991 film The her brother (John’s other hopelessly out of tune. Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, uncle, Woolf Phillips) was Whereupon Ms Moyet starring and conductor of the produced a piano-tuning kit Anne Bancroft.

Receive your Newsletter by post Please send me regular copies of the National If you do not already receive your Jazz Archive Newsletter Newsletter by post and would like to, please fill in your details on the slip Name ...... below and send it to Jazz Services, Address ...... who are looking after this for us...... Their address is: ...... Post Code...... Jazz Services, 1st Floor, 132 Email ...... Southwark Street, London SE1 0SW Telephone ...... Issue 21 National Jazz Archive Newsletter 7  Editorial

Here’s a news item that I some time now, much of Before pinched from David the Archive will be we leave Nathan’s comprehensive accessible in the same way the round-up of Archive news: as ‘Jazz Professional’, and subject of As part of our strategy to the whole fascinating on-line encourage access to the history of jazz – British resources, let me tip you history of jazz over the jazz in particular – will be off about another large web, we are in the open at the click of a and really fascinating process of taking over the mouse. And not just to the website, devoted to the ‘Jazz Professional’ website obvious customers, either. early history of modern (currently at www. The history of jazz is jazz in Britain. The address jazzprofessional.com). intimately bound up with is a bit of a handful, but it’s The site was devised and the history of popular worth slogging through. presented by the late Ron culture – the kinds of Here it is: http://vzone. Simmonds, whose career people most attracted to it virgin.net/davidh.taylor/be as a top-line trumpeter over the years, the bop.htm (or just Google and arranger included language in which it has ‘British Bebop’ and look spells with the been discussed, the look for it there). and John Dankworth as well as the sound of it. I One final item of good orchestras, the Bavarian was talking to Eddie news: The Archive has State Radio Orchestra, Harvey the other day, and received a donation of Max Greger’s TV he told me that he had £2,000 from the J. Paul Orchestra, and guest recently been interviewed Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust. appearances with Stan by a well-known cultural The Trust distributes funds Kenton, Lionel Hampton, commentator on the to ‘well managed projects’ Oliver Nelson and many subject of how bands and concerned with the arts, others. The site is packed individual musicians used among other things. The with interviews, profiles, to dress in the post-war gift to the Archive came in disc discussions and years. That’s just one line response to an appeal photographs, and will of inquiry where an on- from Digby. ‘I wrote them prove an invaluable line National Jazz Archive a nice letter, explaining resource for researchers, would be invaluable. what we did, and they sent as well as providing hours Of course, before they can us a cheque,’ he reports. of guilty pleasure to jazz use it, people will have to The man’s a genius! lovers who ought to be know the Archive exists. getting on with something That’s the purpose of the else. Education and Outreach If we are finally awarded programme which Flow the Heritage Lottery Fund Associates are helping us grant towards which we to develop. More news of have been working for that in the near future. Printed by Graphic Impressions, 01245 260349.