For some time now, the Birmingham Conservatoire has produced outstanding young jazz musicians, under the tutelage of eminent figures like Clark Tracey, Liam Noble and others. Three in particular have been establishing themselves as a solid working...
I was sorry to learn that Ginger Baker had died. He was in my band, The Storyville Jazzmen (later led by Bob Wallis) back in 1956-7. We were very much into purist...
This is one of a series of taped interviews with musicians who are asked to give a snap opinion a set of records played to them. Although no previous information is given as to what they going to hear, they are, during the actual playing, handed the appropriate record sleeve. Thus in no way is their judgement influenced by being unaware of what they are hearing. Guitarist Barney Kessel is too well known to need any introduction from me. He commenced his professional career in 1942 playing in a band whose leader was none other than Chico Marx, but the musical activities of which were controlled by straw-boss Ben Pollock. Since those days he has resided in Los Angeles and played with such bands as those led by Artie Shaw and Charlie Barnet, besides becoming increasingly active in television and studio work. He has recently come to live in London, where he says he will divide his time between trips home to America and visiting Europe. As do so many Americans, he loves London (including the bad...
These recordings were plucked from the archives of the Louis Armstrong House Museum and it is claimed in the accompanying press release “This is the first time...
