We entered the crem to Ray Anthony playing Dancing in the Dark and the same band played us out with Cheek to Cheek. In between we heard Here's That Rainy Day by Bill Evans and Stan's granddaughter Fiona gave an emotive reading of Spike Milligan's piece of nonsense On the Ning Nang Nong a favourite of Stan's.
It was standing room only by the time everyone got in - an indication of the respect Stan was held in.
Circumstances decreed I was unable to get to the Wake afterwards for a buffet and music.
The potential was there for this to have been the greatest big band set ever played in the north-east. Just look at the hypothetical line-up.
Saxes: Tommy Moran, Jim McBriarty, Bill Smith, Elaine Francis, George McDonald.
Tpts: Alan Smith, Tom Hill, Gordon Marshall.
Tmbs: Peter Morgan, Ray Chester, Don Fairly.
Pno: George Richardson, Bill Brittain.
Bs: Alan Rudd, Ray Newton, J.C.Hallam.
Gtr: James Birkett, Roy Willis.
Dms: Laurie Brown.
Vcl: Olive Rudd.
The above were just some of the mourners that I recognised or remembered. My apologies to those I've missed out.
R.I.P. Stan.
Lance.
1 comment :
Will add Erik Strodl to the trombone section.
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