Listening to a CD by the Red Rodney Quintet made back in the 1950s brought to mind the evening when the trumpet player appeared at the Corner House in Heaton. This was in December 1983 and Red gave a scintillating performance with the Willie Payne Band (Mike Gilby (tpt), Syd Warren (fl/ten), Bill Harper (pno), Derek Dixon (bs), Willie Payne (gtr) and somebody is going to have to remind me of the drummers name!)
It was one of those 'nights to remember' even if I have forgotten the drummer's name and it has to be said that Mike Gilby held his own with the American as did the rest of Willie's band.
I'd already had a couple of photos of the gig in album but I have managed to hunt a few more out so I've herded them all together in a Red Rodney album which can be viewed by clicking here. And if you can tell me the name of the drummer please do.
I used to go to see Syd's quintet at their weekly C/Hse sessions - he was a great tenor player.
ReplyDeleteI think the drummer was Dennis and not sure, but surname might have been Stephenson? He moved away from the area. He usually played drums for them, sometimes it was Scott Adair.
Roly
Hi Lance
ReplyDeleteLike Roly I too was a regular at Syd Warren's Corner House gig.I was there at the Red Rodney gig.I can't for the life of me think who the drummer was on the night.The mystery man in the photoraph looks a bit like Ronnie Pearson.Any thoughts ?
Russell
I'm sure it's Dennis. I recognise him from the photo. Just not sure of his surname - I think it is Stephenson. I remember often chatting to him in the break. He was a very nice person. Then he moved away (I think to Liverpool area). I think Willie Payne was a civil servant at Longbenton. A great Wes type player who I think first came over to UK as a pro with Winifred Atwell. I heard he had moved back to W Indies some years back and sadly, more recently, that he had passed away.
ReplyDeleteRoly
Hi Lance
ReplyDeleteRegarding the mystery drummer...I've consulted a walking jazz encyclopedia on the matter,so if this name is right I can't claim any credit whatsoever-is it Dennis Healey ?
Russell
I think you've nailed him Russell.
ReplyDeleteThank you (and Mr/Ms Jazz Britannica.)
Yes that's it - Dennis Healey.
ReplyDeleteVery good drummer.
Happy memories of that quintet at C/House. Blues March, Donna Lee, Filthy McNasty, Are you real, Come Rain or Shine et al. I think some Mike Gilby arrangements? Plus a unique reharmonisation of Basin Street Blues by Billy Harper with his flatted 10th parallel chords.
And a great night when Willie Payne and Tal Farlow reached the heights.
Roly
I recall they had an arrangement of "Meet the Flintstones".
ReplyDeleteJust caught blog re this gig. Yes it was my old mate Dennis Healey on drums and of course the present O H on piano!
ReplyDeleteI worked with Den at the Dolce Vita in the 60's and believe that I am the only member of the band still around. Dennis, Derek Dixon, Art Mowat and Ken Morrell are sadly no longer with us---not sure about Bob Stephenson as he moved to Scotland. Den was a great timekeeper, so important for Shearing arrangements but he was really a big band drummer, his idol was Buddy Rich. We had great nights there with a host of great American musicians who came in for a blow after the concerts at the City Hall. I have so many pics of those days including one of Basie's drummer Sonny Payne playing drums behind me singing 'Moanin'. He was as High as the proverbial and played right through all the stops!!
Ah, Memories!!
Cheers Anne De Vere( not a nom de plume!)
Anne - we'd love to see that photo - please.
ReplyDelete