Leeds jazz in the 60's

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Thu 10 Mar, 2011 8:38 pm

That's right, the wonderful Min. Come to think of it, the last time we saw you was at our wedding. You gave us a lovely clock which gave us great service for many years before giving up the ghost. Min spent the night before the wedding in the Sumatra Road pad you and I used to share, and she remembers that you turned up there to give her the clock on the morning of the wedding.I was in touch with Dave and Vivien Holmes until a year or so ago but they seem to have changed their e-mail address without telling me the new one so I've lost contact. I'll see if I can track them down again (I last tracked them down when he was still living in Australia and I was in Madras by having my secretary telephone every JD Holmes in the Sydney telephone directory when she went there on holiday!).

Cropper · Post by **Cropper** » Fri 11 Mar, 2011 10:14 am

Speaking of weddings mine was held at Heppies Fish Ole in Wakefield ably supported by Ed, Foxy and Co. However in the Holy hours between 3 pm and 5.30 pm when the Town Hall Tavern shut, Martin Fox, Edward (Neddy) Websdale and a few others myself included amused ourselves by getting into the wedding photos of newly marrieds on the steps of the Registry Office around the corner. There must be dozens of shots around Leeds of which grand children are asking "who's that ?", with the reply, "must be one of her lot" Oh no it isn't. etc.

homer · Post by **homer** » Fri 11 Mar, 2011 10:53 am

Well, well, well... as I live and breathe... Bob Richardson. Yes, I do still exist Bob and, whilst I only have about 30 million photographs of life in the past, I don't remember the picture of you that you're referring to. Maybe Dave (Bert) can help you there. He seems to be able to remember things like where he was a year ago. And Dave (Bert), my email hasn't changed in years; I'll PM it to you.Speaking of the past, wherever that is, I just recently found out that my Brother-in-Law of 45 years or so, played trumpet and knocked around with Dennis Armstrong in Bingley/Shipley. So he came back from a holiday in New Orleans a while ago and said that all sorts of wierd combo's and couplets were playing good jazz on street corners and if I could remember what a banjo was, and he could find his old trumpet... might be interesteing.So I got the banjo out of the rubbish heap in the loft, took it apart and rebuilt it, even found my old chord books (complete with beer stains from the Tramsheds, Wakefield, Blooming Rose etc) and we sat down one evening and started with Bill Bailey and I have to say it didn't sound too bad - just trumpet and G-banjo.Well it's good talking to you Bob - I'm only 8 grandchildren behind you now - and hello again Dave (Bert). Off to soak my fingers in vinegar now and see if we can move on to Hiawatha Rag!

jazzbob · Post by **jazzbob** » Fri 11 Mar, 2011 11:01 am

Hi Cropper, although I dont think we ever met on a one to one, I remember your face from the photo with Boland changing his reed. I do believe you are a Martin as well. I tried a number of times to get something going over here. I bought a Fender Rhodes years ago ( was trained on classical piano in early youth) and got some guys together but all they seemed to want to do was practice. We just DID it in the '60s. No messing about. I think it's a trait of Yorkshiremen.

jazzbob · Post by **jazzbob** » Fri 11 Mar, 2011 11:14 am

[edited for content] Dave, how can you say that. I've still got your photo and i"ts in pristine condition. After all this tracking down and you haven"t got it. You must find it. It"s taken from the side of the stage and I was using Bernies drums. Anyway,I'm not giving you yours if you don't find mine, as the artmistress said to the gardener. Talking about gardens, got to shift the guys to another garden. Talk to you later

homer · Post by **homer** » Fri 11 Mar, 2011 11:56 am

OK Bob. I'm on it.

jazzbob · Post by **jazzbob** » Sun 10 Apr, 2011 8:49 pm

Hi Sherlock. I'll bet it's a long time since you heard that nickname Dave (Homer). I guess the deafening silence means no photo. However I have condescendeded to send you yours as a true jazzer would. Shortly I will send a sneak preview, if you want the original I will Fedex it to your address as the postal service here is 'up to maggots'. Unless of course a download will suffice. regards bob

jazzbob · Post by **jazzbob** » Thu 28 Apr, 2011 9:17 am

Photo as promised.

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Sat 30 Apr, 2011 8:19 pm

Great photo Bob. Many thanks. Here's one of us in our very first public performance in a Leeds University Rag Parade. We played Careless Love about a hundred times 'cos it was the only tune I had managed to learn on my recently acquired and still gleaming new clarinet.

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Sat 30 Apr, 2011 8:33 pm

Here's another of the same occasion that you seem to have managed to keep out of Bob