I watched Sting's Durham Cathedral programme last night and was prompted onto the net this morning by the old photos of the members of the Newcastle Big Band and, in particular, Nigel Stanger.
A Google search for Nigel led me to your fantastic blog site this morning, and to discover that Nigel had died was a great shock, and even more to, just now, find out after searching for references to Germaine, and reading her posts, that it was in fact 10 years ago.
Anyway, it would take me months to read all the stuff on your site, but I've spent more time than I should have today looking at the old photos and reminiscing.
I was intrigued to see a note last March from James Caird about Nigel, as James was the bass player with the Dave Brown Quartet, from which the NBB evolved. Our pianist was Tony Winstanley (a great Horace Silver fan, and the last I heard from him, he was project managing the construction of an oil pipeline in Siberia, honestly!), and we had a young lad (about 5 years younger than us!!) called Gavin, and I can't remember his surname. He was recommended to us by Nigel, as Gavin and his family were friends with Chas Chandler and the Animals, in particular John Steele; I can picture him as he was then, and even remember the house he lived in on the West Road. (P.S. I've just had a thought, it might have been Gavin Moore.)
Speaking of San Sebastian, I can fill in a couple of names for you on the grainy photo of the band in San Sebastian, the NBB's second visit, with you (Lance) and Charlie in the saxes. The baritone player (?, on left in the pic) is Phil Doggett, a very good friend of mine from the south, who back in 1970 was playing in Herts in the same band as Graham Sheppard, that's before Graham ventured north to university. And I think you'll find that the trumpet player sitting bottom right is Dave Savill, not Dave Bishop, another long time friend of mine from the south, who did both of the Big Band's Spanish trips. I still keep in touch with Phil, as we were best man to each other, and god parents to each other's children.
I also keep in touch with Allen Gibbs, who is doctoring in Wales, and in fact had a blow with him a couple of years ago at his 65th birthday party in Newport, the first time we'd played together since your San Seb picture!
I used to play a lot with Dave Savill, as did Phil, in the 70s and 80s, until I moved down to Sussex. Dave at one time played with the Midnight Follies Orchestra, I think taking over from Alan Elsdon. We believe Dave moved up to Workington to disappear off our radar, must be over 5 years ago now.
I'd like to get in touch with James and Germaine, as well as Ian Heslop and Bob King, do you have email addresses for any of them, by any chance?
Thanks again for prompting all those fond memories for me today, marvellous!!
My very best wishes to you, and anybody else you might see who remembers me.
David (aka Dave!) Brown
4 comments :
Dave Savill lives near Cartmel in the southern Lake District and still gigs in that region. He is a very fine player - with a lovely tone and a very lyrical improvisational style.
Roly
Talk about a nostalgic 24 hours!
First seeing Sting, Solly, Andy, John Hedley and Ronnie Young on telly at the Gosforth Hotel - what memories I have of those guys and Sunday mornings at that pub!
Then, receiving this posting from David Brown.
Mention of Allen Gibbs reminds me that, post graduation, on the eve of his departure from the area, Charlie Carmichael, Ian Heslop, Jackie Denton, Allen and myself met up in my local pub which at the time was 'The Kelly' in Hebburn. It was a long goodbye that carried on after closing time at our place with more beer, coffee, sandwiches and a few records.
Happy days - David, please pass on my regards to Dr. Gibbs.
Just as a PS. to my post above. Dave Savill is playing locally next Friday 8th Jan - he is with Mike Lovell's band at The Saville in North Shields.
Roly
Savill at the Saville eh?
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