Shakespeare may have told us about the "Seven Ages of Man" but The Best of British Jazz ensemble has four all of its own!
The Best of British Jazz - a truly all-star
sextet of premier British jazz performers - was first formed in the early 1970's
with trumpeter Kenny Baker, trombonist Don Lusher and tenor-saxophonist Betty
Smith fronting the equally eminent trio of pianist Tony Lee, drummer Jack Parnell
and bassist Tony Archer. They recorded two albums - "The Best of British Jazz"
and "The Very Best of British Jazz" - before 1985 when saxophonist Betty Smith
became ill. For several years the group waited to see if she would recover sufficiently
to play again, but sadly this was not to be.
So in 1992, Baker, Parnell and Lusher set about re-forming their project for what would become 'The Best of British Jazz' mark two. Roy Willox - possibly Britain's most celebrated session saxophonist - joined the group, now completed by the equally starry rhythm section of Brian Lemon (piano), Lennie Bush (bass) and Jack Parnell, doubling on drums and vocals, with jokes an added attraction!
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Kenny Baker wrote the book af arrangements, which included stylish originals as well as features for his fellow players, and this new group quickly filled a busy datesheet, travelling all over the UK to play theatre concerts, jazz clubs and festivals. Then in the winter 1993, they toured the Southern States of the USA, presenting their music in Georgia and the Carolinas; a highly successful (and enjoyable) trip proving that truly top-class British jazzmen can hold their own back in jazz's homeland.
In 1995 and 1996 the group also headlined on jazz cruises for P&O to the West Indies and the Baltic aboard the Canberra and Oriana cruise-liners.
In 1995 the Best of British Jazz recorded their first CD "The Best of British Vol 1 "CDSIV 6146. then four years later, their first in-concert CD "The Best of British Jazz Live" MER 99100CD . This recording is very much the group's "own baby", together they hired Norwich Playhouse for the recording as well as the excellent recording engineer John Whitehouse (from Merlin Audio in Norwich). The CD was produced by Jack Parnell and released in April 1999 to rave reviews. "This recital of music," said Ken Rattenbury in 'Crescendo and Jazz Music' "courtesy of a sextet of master jazzmen, offers a wondrous selection of outstanding, in fact triumphal performances . . . " A fitting tribute to a premier group of British jazz masters, approaching the end of phase two of a great British jazz project.
Phase two of the group's history was unexpectedly and tragically brought to a close in December 1999 by the sudden death of its musical centre-forward, Kenny Baker. Kenny - apart from his unarguable status as Britain's greatest swing trumpeter - had been the group's architect. But after solemn consideration by the remaining members however, it was agreed that their late leader would want the show to go on.
(Kenny's widow, Sue, has started The Kenny Baker Bursary Fund to help a young, promising trumpet player at Trinity College. Donations to this fund in Kenny's memory are very welcome.)
So, with the arrival of the Millennium,
"The Best of British Jazz" mark three took to the road again. Replacing Jack
Parnell - who wanted, to spend time writing an autobiography about his interesting
life in the music business and the famous people he has worked with and, to
have a little more time for golf - was Ronnie Verrell; drum-star of the great
Ted Heath and Syd Lawrence Orchestras, and - like Jack - a drummer of truly
international standard. Taking over Kenny Baker's trumpet chair was cornettist
Digby Fairweather.
The video of the group's performance at The Stables, Wavendon May 2001 with Digby Fairweather, Roy Willox, Don Lusher, Brian Lemon, Lennie Bush and Ronnie Verrell is now available. In between the musical numbers these famous musicians reminisce about their incredible careers, spanning many decades, in the world of music. On February 22nd, 2002 at 11.30am Ronnie Verrell died of a chest infection following a bad fall at his home in November 2001. He spent four months in hospital in great discomfort. In view of his recent death, we are fortunate that Ronnie Verrell is on this video and that we have his own comments on his long and happy career. Copies of the video may be obtained from Hamish MacLean Video Productions.
In August 2001, Lennie Bush decided he had had enough of travelling and so,
in the autumn of 2001, John Rees-Jones was invited to join the group on bass.
He has fitted perfectly into the group in every way. Pete Cater was invited
to fill Ronnie's chair and has accepted and the group look forward to his playing.
He follows in the footsteps of Jack Parnell and Ronnie Verrell - not an easy
task! So, almost thirty years after its formation, "The Best of British Jazz"
swung on into a new century.
Details from their printed programme:
With the twenty-first century now under way the "Best of British Jazz" Mark Four has broadened its musical base to present a new and dynamic show brilliantly spanning both the generations and styles of British jazz. Its incomparable centrepieces - the international trombonist-legend Don Lusher, fellow-sessioneer saxophonist Roy Willox and multi award winning pianist Brian Lemon - have been joined by Britain's premier jazz cornettist Digby Fairweather, plus a rhythm section completed by new-star bassist John Rees-Jones and dynamic drummer Pete Cater. The new show they present has already been hailed as a brilliant re-definition and expansion of an old (and proven) formula. 'Simply the best' enthused the 'Grimsby Telegraph' after a concert in December 2001 and broadcaster-author Sheila Tracy in "The Stage" enthused: "to say the group swings like crazy is an understatement. The new line-up looks like topping anything that has gone before!". Faced with such a successful reception since its redefinition the group visted Abbey Road studios in July 2002 to record its brand-new album for Vocalion Records. This CD has now been released and is available from our on line shop. Best of British Jazz - Abbey Road sessions CDSA 6805
For "The Best of British Jazz" it's clear that the journey into the new century can only be, in Billy Strayhorn's well-remembered words, "ever on and up!".
Don's long career began with Joe Daniels, and continued with Lou Preager, Maurice Winnick, The Squadronaires, Jack Parnell, Geraldo, Ted Heath and finishing with the Jack Parmell TV Orchestra. He has worked with Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Bob Farnon and many more. He often toured with Sinatra. He did two tours with jazz trombonist Kai Winding.
In 1979, the BBC presented an hour long show called "Don Lusher's World of Music" which covered all aspects of Don's involvement with music from Brass Bands and Big Band music to small groups such as the The Don Lusher Quartet. Don was a professor of trombone at The Royal Marines' School of Music at Portsmouth. In 2000, the Worshipful Company of Musicians presented Don with the Jazz Award 2000. In 2002, a video was produced about Don's career which features several numbers with the Best of British Jazz. He recorded a CD with Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, John Chilton & the Feetwarmers, John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton & George Melly called "British Jazz Legends Together" Decca 470 271-2. He very much enjoyed playing with the new reformed Best of British Jazz.
Born into a musical family in Welwyn Garden City, Roy gigged with his mother and father while still in short pants. he had lessons from the great alto star, Harry Hayes and, on leaving school, his first job was at Gillingham, Kent in a band led by Ronnie Verrell. He then toured with Henry Hall and after conscription did a spell in night clubs followed by five years with the Ted Heath Band. He played lead alto with Geraldo and Jack Parnell's first ATV Band, and two years in the BBC Revue Orchestra accompanying radio shows.
In 1960, he started freelancing in the recording studios and BBC Television, the sole surviving programme being "The Last of The Summer Wine". He has recorded with Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald to name but a few and toured with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. He is currently enjoying a more relaxed career playing in the Big Bands of today and The Best of British Jazz.
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Born with a drumstick in each hand his father was a well known drummer. Worked in Birmingham in the studios and with the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra aged 14! During his tenure with MYJO he won the Jack Parnell and Kenny Clare drum awards in the BBC National Big Band contest. Pete has toured the UK with Charlie Byrd's trio and Spike Robinson's international "Tribute to Getz". The Pete Cater Big Band was a winner in the British Jazz awards in 2000. He has also worked with The BBC Big Band, Echoes of Ellington, John Dankworth, The Vic Ash Quartet, Barney Kessell and many others.
Classically trained as a cellist, he has appeared with a cross section of artists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Peter Pears, Wilhelm Tausky and Roger Norrington. He moved over (or down!) to the double bass and bass guitar in the late 70's and has subsequently worked extensively in the theatre, studio and jazz fields.
Visiting teacher of jazz double bass and bass guitar at Eton College and has tutored several hundred jazz workshops nationwide.
John has worked with many American jazz stars including Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Barney Kessell, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Al Cohn, Scott Hamilton, Joe Newman and 'Peanuts' Hucko and in 1993 toured, recorded and appeared on television with the Kenny Baker/Don Lusher band as part of the "Giants of Jazz" package alongside the bands of Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk. A member of Campbell Burnap's All Stars and a regular deputy with Humphrey Lyttelton,the Alex Welsh Legacy Band and in numerous West End shows.
Ten times winner of the piano section of the "British Jazz Awards", Brian became the centre of attraction in the jazz world shortly after arriving in London in the mid 1950's to join Freddy Randell's Band. Stints followed with Sandy Brown, George Chisholm, Humphrey Lyttleton, John Dankworth, and American giants such as Benny Goodman. Tours with the Yank Lawson- Bob Haggart "World's Greatest Jazz Band". Worked with Scott Hamilton, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Ben Webster and Warren Vache, tours and recordings with, Rolling Stones' drummer, Charlie Watts' Quintet. Since 1995, 30 CDs for the Zephyr label, with own groups and with visiting American musicians. He is frequently to be found at Ronnie Scott's and is respected today not only as a jazz pianist but as an outstanding arranger too.
