Unfortunately, circumstances decreed I was unable to get to Ernie Graham's funeral today so I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise and to pass on my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
He was a great guy and much missed, not just at Blaydon, by everyone in came in contact with.
R.I.P.
Listen here to Singers Unlimited - All The Things You Are.
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On a happier note but still connected to Blaydon Jazz I note there is an interview with Paul Booth in this month's Jazz Journal.
Paul began his jazz career playing at Blaydon whilst still in his early teens before going on to receive international aclaim. As the person who sold him his first tenor I hope to dine out on that for many more years to come!
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A Facebook article by Serious Music entitled "Jazz in Memoriam" that I overlooked is of interest mentioning both Chris Yates and Ian Carr.
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Tonight, on BBC4, there is a wealth of jazz albeit 'tonight' is a misnomer as most of it is in the early hours of Saturday morning!
So I guess it will be Catch-up TV or BBC iplayer.
For the record:
10:45 pm: Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers - Jazz 625.
11:25 pm: MJQ - Jazz 625
00:45 am: Oscar Peterson - Jazz 625.
02:15 am: Thelonious Monk - Jazz 625.
02:50 The Jazz Baroness - Arena.
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Live action tonight at The Jazz Café, Pink Lane with the Safe Sextet and at Gateshead Fell Cricket Club where Jazz at the Fell presents the Mississippi Dreamboats with guest trumpet player Martyn Sharp.
Lance.
4 comments :
The funeral was very much a positive celebration of Ernie's life, his special character and maverick inclination. He was very much his own man. Some hilarious anecdotes and much laughter.
An uplifting experience! I've never been to a funeral quite like this and think Ernie would be looking down and smiling in approval too. The service ended with that stunning a cappello version of 'All the things' by Singers Unlimited (check out Spotify).
Yes sad to realise he is no longer with us but what a unique and fulfilled life. And a very nice get together afterwards at The White Swan.
I have a feeling Dinnington will never be quite the same again.
Roly
Thanks for the heads up about the jazz tonight Lance. I'll be recording da lot.
The choice of Singers Unlimited was very apt. I recall him coming into J.G.Windows music store when I worked there. He gave me a tape of Singers Unlimited and said "If you want to know about harmony listen to this."
I've posted "All The Things You Are" by The Singers Unlimited for those of us who didn't get to the service.
In St. Matthew's Church at Dinnington today it was standing room only and not much of that left, people were even sitting in the choir stalls. The Rev. Mark Edwards gave a resume of Ernie's life, at times, as Roly said, bringing laughter to the assembled congregation of family, village folk, neighbours and friends. He asked for and got a round of applause for him. Gill a friend also gave some personal reminiscences and despite the conventional black accoutrements it was a good celebration of Ernie. Afterwards folks repaired to the White Swan for a buffet, old friends were met and new ones made, Ann and the family were surely heartened by the turnout, and as the old cliche has it "if Ernie had been here he would have enjoyed it".
Miles
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