I have came across the names of several musicians that I knew a few years back on your website. Here are three for starters: Tommy Henderson, Kenny Morrell, Ronnie Stidolph.
Kenny Morell, who I knew very well, died a few years ago whilst Ronnie Stidolph died decades ago.
But what happened to Tommy Henderson? I knew these three guys from Greys Club in the late 60s. Ronnie Stidolph used to sing like Johnny Mathis, he used a Binson Echo unit to great effect. I have no doubt that you knew Kenny Morrell from your days at Windows Music Shop, a lovely guy.
Tommy Henderson, the Bass Player, I knew better than any of them.
I worked in Savilles in Sunderland where I got to know many musicians but I never heard a thing in the last 40 years about Tommy Henderson. Do you or any of your readers know what happened to him - is he still around?
Ron Chapman.
Hi Ron: I seem to recall a Tommy Henderson who played trumpet with the Wilf Ray big band when I worked at the Mayfair in the 70's with Bill Harper's trio, but not sure if it's the same guy. I do remember he had a Martin flugelhorn like Miles', and upon his sad demise it went to the son of one of Wilf's saxophonists, whose name escapes me. Hope this is helpful
ReplyDeleteDave The Rave (TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE)
While looking for old musician friends I came across "info wanted on Tommy Henderson" from Ron Chapman who worked in Savilles music shop in Sunderland. I am pleased to tell him 'I am alive and kicking'
ReplyDeleteKenny Morrell played piano/organ and vibes, Ronnie Studholme played drums and sang, John Davies played guitar and I played Bass and Bass guitar in the Tommy Henderson quartet at GREYS CLUB in the late 60's backing top cabaret stars eg. Cleo Lane, Marion Montgomery, Blossom Dearie, Annie Ross to name but a few. It would be great to hear from anyone who was around at the time. Speak soon.
TOMMY HENDERSON
Nice to hear from you Tommy. You must have a million stories to tell - why not share them with us on Bebop Spoken Here.
ReplyDeleteMaurice Summerfield has emailed to say he was very happy to read that Tommy Henderson is still around. It is probably 45 - 50 years since he last saw him.
ReplyDeleteIn the period 1959 – 1960 Maurice sometimes played at the same venues that Tommy played at. At that time Maurice played at least four nights a week in the Newcastle area – usually at the following sessions;
Monday – High Point (Whitley Bay) with Mike Carr (on vibraphone) and the original EmCee 5 – Alan Collins on bass and Ian Forbes drums.
Tuesday and Thursday – Marimba Club (Newcastle) with the late Bernie Thorpe (piano) and Alan Collins (bass). Alan now lives near Dumfries.
Wednesday – The Avenue (Whitley Bay) with the late Bobby Carr (trumpet) and Arthur Moat (alto)
Saturday - Kings College Union (Newcastle) varying musicians.
Sunday – Morning jam session West Road Social Club (Newcastle) organised by Mike Carr with Gary Cox (tenor), Malcolm Cecil (bass and Ronnie Stephenson (drums).
Hard to believe these sessions were half a century ago!
* The Marimba was owned by Mike Jeffries who became Jimi Hendrix’s manager. Mike also ran the Downbeat Club where Maurice played – usually with Bernie Thorpe. Mike Jeffries died in a plane crash.
Note for Maurice Summerfield
ReplyDeleteHi Maurice - nice reading your memories of the 60's
The Marimba Club was where I first started my Latin Group before we moved on to the Emerson Restaurant and night Club.
Can you remember playing at the 'Rag' week night Clubs - The Piscadera at the Tatler and the Bal Tabarin in Gosforth? ( Cleo Lane was the Cabaret )
I still have the posters (copies on Lance's poster site) you may have seen them). I am sure we both must have played at the dances in the 'Maccabe'( sorry if that is the wrong spelling ) Club in Jesmond.
I saw pics of Mike Carr and Willie Payne. Mike played 'vibes' with the band for a while at Emersons and Willie joined me at 'Wetheralls Club' in Sunderland- he also did a couple of tours with Winifred Attwell in Australia.
These days I play the Yamaha keyboard but my 13 year old grandson is carrying on the tradition by studying classical guitar with tutor Stuart Willis BA.
Lances site is great for remembering old musician friends and keeping up with todays scene. Hope to speak soon -
Regards
Tommy Henderson