(Report by Lance.)
The death was reported in the Shields Gazette last night of Vince Bovill. Vince was born in South Shields but graduated via local palais bands to London where he joined the Vic Lewis Orchestra in 1949 playing second tenor alongside another South Shields saxophonist, Kathy Stobart.
1951 found him in the Oscar Rabin Band, resident at London's Lyceum Ballroom. He later joined the Eric Delaney Band and again there was a north east presence - Des Lumsdon - also on tenor.
From here on I'm not sure of what path his career followed save that he was a woodwind peripatetic in Sunderland for many years as well as gigging around with various bands including Les Seymour at the Bay Hotel, Whitburn. When Eric Delaney died in 2011 Vince's son - Vince Bovill Jnr. - posted the following comment on LondonJazz.:
Over the years both myself and my dad have had contact with Eric - gigs etc. 3 years ago I met Eric at the Sunderland International Airshow. A 'reunion' was arranged at the Board Inn in Sunderland where some fascinating discussion took place along with photographs with Eric, Dad, Son (cornet player) and Grandson (Dan Bovill - drummer). My dad joked about how Eric and himself might be the last survivors of the band. My dad is still alive and was obviously shocked to hear the news. He often tells me stories about the tours with Eric - great listening - Vince Bovill Jnr..
Hopefully some of our older readers will come forward with more information.Over the years both myself and my dad have had contact with Eric - gigs etc. 3 years ago I met Eric at the Sunderland International Airshow. A 'reunion' was arranged at the Board Inn in Sunderland where some fascinating discussion took place along with photographs with Eric, Dad, Son (cornet player) and Grandson (Dan Bovill - drummer). My dad joked about how Eric and himself might be the last survivors of the band. My dad is still alive and was obviously shocked to hear the news. He often tells me stories about the tours with Eric - great listening - Vince Bovill Jnr..
What is indisputable is that hel was capable of performing at the highest level in some fine bands.
Vince Bovill died suddenly on January 9, 2013. The notice in the Gazette requested donations to the Customs House Big Band in lieu of flowers, The funeral will be held at Sunderland Crem. on Monday January 28 at 10AM.
He was 89.
R.I.P.
Obituary from Sunderland Echo.
Lance.
In the above photo Vince is at the far right of the Oscar Rabin sax section. Left to right in the picture are: Ken O'Donnell, bass; Roy Bull, Conrad Knowles, Cecil Pressling, Pete Warner, Vince Bovill, saxes; Bill Geldard, trombone.
3 comments :
My uncle Leon Turner (& another brother Sam) played trumpet in the Oscar Rabin band around the same time as Vince. If anyone has any memories of this or photos, would be great to find out more......
My dad Alan Nesbitt played tenor sax with Eric Delaneys band too. The photo in tonights Sunderlnd Echo shows my dad on it. he too was born in South Shields and went into teaching after being a professional musician in London and the North East. RIP Vince
Hi Lance, I worked for some years in Les Seymour's band with Vince, at the Bay Hotel. Unfortunately, your picture seems to have disappeared. It would have been interesting for me as I moved to Kent, married a girl from Orpington who had her sax lessons from local sax teacher, Pete Warner! Happy days. RIP guys!
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