Coventry Jazz Clubs

Thanks Ben. I've just checked out John Astle's photo on Coventry Digital, and although the thumbnail appears the right way around, the actual photo still appears mirror-imaged. I've cleared my cookies but still the same..... is it just me?

Yes, me too.

Hi all, I've just returned from a local church coffee morning, I had a lovely free time on their Yamaha piano. The last tune before leaving was "Yesterday". Hardly a "Jazz" club, but Jazz originated in West Indian chapels, where the awful cultures (churches, often no different) barred gifted music people, so they made do with sunbaked pianos, or whatever was to hand, so came Jazz I believe. Thank you for your posts on this. Brill Please enjoy this as much as I do. A bit closer to home

Hi all I have reversed this image and it still shows as incorrect, so I took it off. Working to make the change to the system now - it 'should' have sorted itself but as per, it didn't.

Further to my earlier recollections of the Idaho Jazz club, I have a few more memories to share. I remember that the piano player who played at the interval was none other than the legendary Bill Towns. At the time, he was on a management and design course at the Humber-Rootes. Bill later went on to become both a luxury yacht and car designer! Examples of his work included the Aston Martin DBS which was featured in the James Bond Film "On Her Majesty's Service" starring George Lazenby, and briefly glimpsed in "Diamonds Are Forever" starring Sean Connery. The car also featured in "The Persuaders" and was driven by Lord Brett who was played by Roger Moore. He also went on to design the Aston Martin Lagonda and also redesigned and upgraded the Reliant Scimitar to great effect. One evening Bill asked me if I could I put together a trio to back his piano playing for his friends all-night parties. Ian Hamilton (bass) and Derek Greenwood (drums) obliged. Bill ran me and Derek and the drum kit around in his vintage Rolls Royce, he also owned a TR3. I still remember playing at two of Bill's parties, one being in Kenilworth and the other one at the Ryton Bridge Hotel. At the time I was playing three nights at the Rialto Casino, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Idaho Jazz club Thursday nights, Saturday night parties for Bill and then Sunday afternoons were spent playing football and cricket in the relevant seasons for the Coventry Evening Telegraph where I worked full-time! I was an active musician in and around the Coventry area for around three decades, followed by another decade in Devon where I played in the excellent Herald Express big band doing gigs as the Dartmouth Royal Naval College passing-out balls. I also did a stint with Leon Cochrane's band who unbelievably I'd played alongside in Vincent Ladbrooke's band some 30 years previous in and around the Midlands.

Des Lawrence who'd previously ran the modern jazz club at the Mercer's Arms ran and owned the ironmongers in Ford Street opposite the city's old art school. I remember that Agers shoe shop was on the corner. Des's involvement was followed by Harry Flick, a person that the local modern jazz scene of the time owed so much to. Harry initially ran the modern jazz club at the Mercer's Arms and eventually moved it to the the White Lion city centre on Sunday nights under the auspices of the Ronnie Scott club. The jazz stars who'd appeared at the Ronnie Scott's club had the option of later doing one night stands across the country: ie Sunday nights the White Lion, Monday nights Birmingham, and other venues around the country. Harry, despite having several business ventures in the city, often ran the stars around Scott's out of town venues. One star, Harold McNair, the brilliant West Indies alto player, learnt to play the flute whilst travelling in his car. Their friendship was so unique that it prompted Harold to compose and record a tribute to him called 'Harry Flicks'. To my dismay I mislaid my autographed 45 when moving down to Devon! Imagine my surprise when recently a family member said that he'd found Zoot Sims playing 'Harry Flicks' on the internet alongside Harold McNair's quartet, recorded in 1991 at the Scott club. 'Harry Flicks' is actually played by Harold McNair on flute, backed by Terry Shannon (piano), Jeff Cline (base) and Phil Seamen (drums). It can only be found on the Internet, and well worth a listen! I suspect that the chord sequence is probably based on 'I've got rhythm'. I doubt if many jazz aficionados know this information. Personally, I've a couple of reasons to thank Harry for. Firstly, I met my future wife at the White Lion Jazz Club and secondly, when I bought a local newsagents and was struggling in the inflation-laden times of the 1970's, Harry helped me out by putting his purchasing power at my disposal. Harry and his wife Jean owned several shops. 'Jean's Bargains' situated on Far Gosford Street and 'Barry's Bargains', their son, located on Lockhurst Lane bridge. With Harry's warehouse down the road from our shop, we spent mornings discussing both jazz and cricket over coffee. Unfortunately when I moved to Devon I unfortunately lost track of Harry, I'm proud to state that Harry was a real friend!

Great memories again, Barry. Thanks for sharing them

Thanks for the memories. I remember Rab Falloon leaving to make money with Victor Silvester. The pianist, Malcolm Pickup, married my sister, changed his name to Malcolm Francis and moved to Australia as a professional musician, they both passed away a few years ago. The bass player was Chris Holt (not Smith), my brother. He got me into the DCJO on baritone and alto. Chris has also passed away.