Sandy Brown Jazz
Jazz Photographic Memories
Album 2
These album pages contain all kinds of photographs and memories sent us by readers of this website. If you have a photograph that has a memory and a story, please let us know and we can add it to these pages.
Henry Mancini
Jazz photographer Brian O'Connor from imagesofjazz.com sent us this photographic memory. Brian said: I’ve always been fascinated with the mechanics of a big band recording session. To be given the opportunity to sit in the middle of the orchestra actually during such a session was an answer to a prayer (there is still a long list of unanswered prayers). It happened during 1990, at CTS Studios in Wembley. Henry Mancini was recording an album with an orchestra consisting of the best of British. There I was, sat in the middle of the musicians, with virtually free reign to photograph at will, only stopping when the red light appeared. It was then a case of remaining as still as a statue, until at long last the light was switched off. It’s quite frightening how long 3 minutes can seem when you must neither move nor (almost not) breathe. Itches begin to appear almost immediately in places you never imagined could itch, let alone reach.
It was, however, worth it. One of the most amazing revelations was the incredible ability of the musicians to sight read the arrangements a couple of times, and then do the recording. The subsequent meeting with Mancini afterwards was also memorable - he was very expansive, the cigar never left his hand, and at times he was slightly prickly. A real character. Although the session appeared relatively informal (note the cigar in the photo) this was down to the complete professionalism of everyone involved, from the recording engineers through to Mr. Mancini himself. A not to be forgotten afternoon.I believe the subsequent CD issue was on RCA, Mancini in Surround. Mostly Monsters, Murders & Mysteries. The Mancini Pops Orchestra. A title that was certainly far from succinct. [Photograph © Brian O'Connor].
2014.11
The London Vintage Jazz Orchestra
Dave Burman sent us this photograph of the London Vintage Jazz Orchestra. Taken at the 100 Club in Oxford Street, the musicians are, Left to Right: Pip Baker (banjo), Bruce Talbot (tenor sax, clarinet), Quentin Bryar (alto sax, clarinet), Alan Barnes (alto sax, clarinet), Sinclair Lewis (violin), Ray Smith (piano), Pete March (bass sax), Sing Ling (bass), Princess Sara (second trombone), Jim Sheperd (first trombone), John Strangman (second trumpet), Paul Lacey (third trumpet), Dave Burman (first trumpet and leader).
Dave said: "The London Vintage Orchestra started around 1972 as an Inner London Education Authority evening institute course which I set up as a Jazz / Big Band course. The course was so well attended that I had to run sessions.. An orchestra emerged from the two classes which became the London Vintage Orchestra. This band ran for some years and played in the UK and abroad, also appearing weekly at the 100 Club's Sunday lunchtime sessions. The band moved to the Tufnell Park Tavern doing alternate Tuesdays. We then moved to the Torrington Arms in Finchley, again playing on alternate Tuesdays. That venue then became a Starbucks coffee house, so we moved to The Star in Highgate, again playing alternate Tuesdays. Those sessions ceased when the manager left and bought the Southampton Arms in Highgate, taking me with him as solo pianist. I 'mothballed' the London Vintage Jazz Orchestra about two years ago, working on the idea - get the gig - do a rehearsal for it. The LVJO last appeared at the Spiro Institute in 2010 as 'The Broadway Syncopators' with myself (piano, trumpet, director), Malcolm Warton (trumpet), Dave Chandler (trombone), Peter Shade (piano, piano accordion), Martin Guy (drums), Mike Savage (guitar), John Baine (bass sax), Quentin Bryar (tenor sax, clarinet), Keith Blackburn (alto sax, clarinet), Dave Eastham (alto sax, clarinet), Sara Manasseh (vocals, piano).
Subsequently, Paul Geeson wrote to us. Paul was a member of the LVJO and we were able to put him in touch with Dave Burman again. Paul said: 'When I was with them they were rehearsing on Wednesday evening in the Stanhope Institute in Queens Square near Russel Square. I do remember playing with some of the other names you list on your website... I was an original member of the house band at Googlies Jazz Supper Club when it started in 2002, and therefore backed artists such as the late Campbell Burnap, Bruce Adams, Alan Barnes, Digby Fairweather etc (I won’t go through the whole list as it will just seem as though I’m name dropping). I was a very lucky guy having had the chance to play with these great players!'
October 2013
Dtet
This picture comes from trombonist Mike Hogh. The musicians in the picture are:
L-R: Ron Humphries, Eddie ? (bass), Mike Hogh, Willie Garnett, Dennis Ogden, Alan Stuart and, behind Willie Garnett, the pianist is possibly Alan West. The question is - who from the Octet (presumably the drummer) is missing? The picture comes from the 1970s. Mike played with Denny through the 1960s, '70s and '80s until Denny became ill and the band was taken over by Alan Stuart. We have been able to find very little information about Denny who was clearly a presence on the UK jazz scene during those years. Can anyone tell us any more about him? Our profile of Mike Hogh is here.
December 2013
Dick Charlesworth's Brothers
Leon Breckman sends us the photograph below and asks: 'Have you heard of The Brothers, which was a pseudo Masonic fraternity run by Dick Charlsworth of 'City Gents' fame of which there were some 500 members of semi-pro musicians from the London area. It would be very interesting to know who are still surviving?" Clarinettist Alvin Roy, who was a member of The Brothers for a while, remembers the group meeting up at the 100 Club in London once a quarter: "It was a get-together, no instruments, so no playing. When there was a new member, Dick Charlesworth would sprinkle the four corners of the room from his whisky glass which encompassed the new initiates and also the onlooking members."
Trumpeter Digby Fairweather writes about The Brothers in his book Ace Of Clubs : A Celebration Of The 100 Club : "One of the great institutions of the 100 Club was 'The Brothers' a community of musicians and singers who met at the club on Monday nights once a quarter .... I wasn't very keen to begin with ... There was a real 'initiation' ceremony and the existing brothers used to quite like winding up new members about what they'd have to go through .... there was dear James Asman ... I said "What's the matter Jimmy?" He said "I think I've got to bare me bum!" .... I think It's safe now to reveal that you didn't have to do that; just stand on one leg and turn round in a 360 degree circle and then sing The Brothers' anthem which was 'Benignity - which was pronounced ben-igg-nity - is not beneath your dignity' and so on, to the tune of The Red Flag .... But to be honest I didn't go to The Brothers more than once I don't think ... on my night (trombonist Jim Shepherd) came down in a furious temper: "Some bloody traffic warden's just given me a ticket" and so on. And we had to remind Jim; "Don't forget - ben-igg-nity! Ben-igg-nity! Come on!".​
October 2022
Trumpets At Richmond
Hugo Strötbaum in Holland sent us these pictures and says: "I came across some stuff I thought you might be interested in.
Apart from seeing Sandy Bown and Al Fairweather at the Six Bells, Chelsea, I also attended the Richmond Festival in 1965 (entry 5/-) and took a picture of Ken Colyer and Kenny Ball (not my cup of tea) parading around the grounds." (It is Pat Halcox nearest the camera). "Seeing that Terry Lightfoot had shuffled off to the Departure Lounge saddened me. He made a terrific LP (New Orleans houses on the sleeve). Green for Danger?"
August 2013
DEXTER GORDON'S BODYGUARD
Trumpeter Seppo Lemponen in Finland sent us this photographic memory: "In 1970, the City of Vaasa decided to arrange a youth festival 'Vaasan kesä' (Vaasa summer festival). It was a success artistically, but not financially. We didn't realise until now that it managed to get together the cream of those Finnish musicians who rose to fame much later. Vaasa Jazz Club (founded 1968) helped to organise the occasion. Someone knew that both Griffin and Gordon were then staying in Europe (Dexter Gordon in Copenhagen). They were contacted, but because Dex was much cheaper and agreed to have a local (Helsinki) rhythm section, a deal was made with him. I was asked to act in different roles with Dex. The picture shows me (chairman of the club) on the left, and the late Timo Lappalainen (secretary) on the right as Dex's 'bodyguards' - I think we were about 36 and 24 respectively at the time. The picture was taken by Harry Swanljung, a club member, in Hietasaari ('Sandisle') a mile off the city centre.' Rehearsal spaces are always a challenge, but Seppo seems to have found a solution: "I have started cycling with my pocket trumpet,' he said. 'The activity will continue, at least, I hope, until October. You see, one must reserve rehearsal territories early enough. Birds, hares and squirrels at least seem to like sharing them!'
May 2012
Ron Weedon Gets Married
Trumpeter Bunny Austin sent this photographic memory and says: "This picture was taken in the late 1950s when pianist Ron Weedon was married. Matt Monro was a guest and sang with our quartet which included George Cox, a very fine pianist. One of the guests had a reel-to-reel tape recorder and taped Matt singing with the band - someone has a collector's item!' Left to Right: Matt Monro, Mr & Mrs Weedon, Bunny Austin.
June 2010
Bruce Turner and Jim Bray Rambled
Jazz and Folk musicicians together: Alex Balmforth sent us this picture of Folk musicians Alan Lomax and the Ramblers with Jazz musicians Bruce Turner and Jim Bray.
Back Row: Alan Lomax, Bruce Turner, Jim Bray, Brian Daly. Front Row: Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl, Shirley Collins.
Chris Duff had come across the photograph and wrote: "'Regarding the photograph of Alan Lomax and The Ramblers sent to you by my friend, Alex Balmforth, I forwarded the page with the photograph to a good friend of mine in the folk world who knows Shirley Collins well and to my knowledge, has presented her in folk clubs since the 1960s. He tells me he has seen the photo before and can confirm the line-up as Alex states."
September 2010
Mike Coney
Mike Coney's daughter Carolyn writes: "I have just finished reading your article online about The Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford. I stumbled across it as I have been searching for articles about my dad, Mick (Mike) Coney who was a superb drummer back in the day with John Johnstone All Stars and Johnny Hobbs, along with other bands. I remember him playing regularly at The Britannia, and The Fiveways, but don't recall the Dancing Slipper, though I have to admit I was a young child and was more into Wham! than Jazz! Dad passed away, after a short illness, last Monday, 18th December, aged 86 and we want his send off to be a Tribute to him. When he and his wife Sue Coney got married, their Reception was a great affair. It was like an Open Mike night where musicians were coming and going, up on the stage, play a few numbers and then another would join them or take their place. Sue would like something like this for dad, and she does have a contact in the now dwindled trad jazz world, but when I read your article I thought I'd get in touch to see if you had any other articles that mention my dad? I was delighted that one of your writers, Bob Jackson, included a picture of the Jazz Spectrum band, and my dad is on drums! Precious, precious memories. I would be thrilled to receive any further info/articles/mentions of my dad, and would be very grateful." [If anyone remembers Mike, please let us know and I'll pass your memories on to Carolyn and Sue. Ed]
​
Jazz Spectrum. L-R: Ken Sansom (trombone/banjo); Bob Jackson (vocals/trombone); Ralph Laing (piano/leader); Mike Coney (drume); Dave Leithead (trumpet); Jerry Williams (clarinet/alto sax); Bill Cole (basss). Probably taken at the Old General in 1970/1971 Photograph © Bob Jackson​
January 2024
Freddy Randall at Cooks Ferry Inn
John Capes sent us this picture taken on a Sunday circa 1965 at Cook's Ferry Inn. John said: "'I did not note the date. The band led by Freddy Randall on trumpet was a pick up group with Lenny Felix (piano), George Chisholm (trombone), Ian Wheeler (I think) (clarinet) and Tony Allen (drums). They played for a couple of hours that Sunday lunchtime. It looks like night but that is because all curtains were closed and the band was lit with red lighting making it like a darkroom."
Tony Cash clarified the question of the clarinet player: 'The Cook's Ferry Inn photo is intriguing: the bearded clarinetist is almost certainly my old, much lamented, friend, Alan Cooper. I didn't know that he'd played with Randall. In 1956, Alan was studying at the Royal College of Art, so any London gig was feasible."
January 2011
