Trumpet player Pat Halcox died in the early hours of today. Best known for his association with Chris Barber - there 54 year long partnership was perhaps the longest in jazz history. I remember him from the band's early visits to Newcastle's City Hall to later appearances at The Sage. In between he brought his All-Stars to the Corner House.
There was also the film, Look Back in Anger during which he very effectively ghosted Richsrd Burton's "trumpet playing".
Pat Halcox was 82.
Obituary
Obituary
Lance.
7 comments :
Yes, very sad. I know that Ron Bowden is still alive but Jim Bray passed away some years ago.
Regarding Pat, he was a lovely, gentle, man who always made time to stop and chat. I remember he came up to Newcastle in the 1980's and guested for six nights with the River City. I found him a dream to play alongside,- he left spaces in all the right places and always concentrated on taste rather than showing us how many notes he could play. He really was a very good musician,- I know that people tend to associate the Chris Barber Band with Traditional Jazz only, but the fact is that from the 1960's onwards the band experimented with many different styles of music, including R&B, Gospel, compositions by Charles Mingus and Joe Harriet, and even forays into East European folk music, and Pat seemingly effortlessly mastered them all, playing either trumpet or flugel. I last saw Pat just a few days before he retired at the Alnwick Playhouse, - he was still playing well but told me that the extensive travelling was becoming a problem. He will be sadly missed by all his many friends.
Gordon - the six nights...were these at different venues across the north east?
I had a tape of Halcox with the River City which I foolishly loaned out and never got back.
Yes, - why do you ask?
I've got one somewhere Lance, would you like a copy?
If you can lay hands on it yes please. I'll email you my address and buy you a pint next time I see you.
OK Lance. I think the tape also has tracks with guests John Crocker and Mike Cotton.
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