It is with much sadness that I have to announce the death earlier today of former north east jazz singer Sheila Giles. Sheila was a regular performer on the Newcastle scene for many years in the 1950s and '60s and the Sheila Giles Band was well known on the north-east jazz club circuit. Her voice, very much Bessie Smith orientated, had a rich timbre that could fill a room with or without a microphone and was often compared with Ottilie Patterson.
Prior to becoming established in the jazz world Sheila sang with dance bands such as that of Johnny Openshaw at the Hedworth Hall South Shields.
In recent years she lived down south in the London borough of Ealing where she died in Hanwell House Care Home.
Sheila Giles was thought to be in her early eighties.
In her last hours it is reported staff played jazz records for her right to the end which is how she'd have wanted to go.
Sheila, I'll propose a toast to you tonight with a (virtual) Pigfoot and a (actual) Bottle of Beer.
Rest in Peace.
More photos.
Lance.
PS: I'm not certain of the source of the photo - it may have been John Taylor but it is accompanied by an, in retrospect, emotive message from David Hinge Sheila's ex husband. It was posted last year.
I'd appreciate it if anyone with photos of Sheila could scan them to me for inclusion in this small tribute.
Rest in Peace.
More photos.
Lance.
PS: I'm not certain of the source of the photo - it may have been John Taylor but it is accompanied by an, in retrospect, emotive message from David Hinge Sheila's ex husband. It was posted last year.
I'd appreciate it if anyone with photos of Sheila could scan them to me for inclusion in this small tribute.
6 comments :
Sorry to hear that, Lance. I did lots of gigs with Sheila in the early 1970's, at Bamburgh's Music Hall, the Redhills in Durham with the Savoy Jazzmen (still got some rather grainy photos from 1974 of her singing with the band), and other places in the Newcastle area. She was great fun, and loved to sing slightly risqué songs such as "Ford Engine Movements in My Hips" and "She Had to Go and Lose It At The Astor". I, too, shall raise a glass to her!
Sad news. I well remember hearing Sheila singing at jazz clubs when I first got interested in the music. Later when I started playing I got to know her. She was a charismatic performer with a commanding presence and her great love of the music shone through. As has been said already she was very much in the Bessie Smith style. I've good memories of those days.
Roly
Sheila and I were very close friends for more years than I care to remember. I have many happy memories of concerts and gigs as Sheila sang with local bands, as well as having her own band for a few years. In 1982 Sheila relocated to London where she gave several concerts. Her pianist at that time was the late Mick Pyne. Although during the last four years Sheila's health had deteriorated, we still managed to speak to each other regularly. I will miss her very much but I am so thankful our paths crossed all those years ago. RIP Sheila.
I met Sheila in approx 1988 in London. We were attending a performing arts course in Westbourne Grove/ Ladbroke Grove. She had suffered damage to her nevk and vocal cords and was retraining her voice. One night in a pub where there was a live jazz group playing she got up and sang " Mad about the boy ""
It blew us off our seats. I remained friends with Sheila for a couple of years and then I immigrated. I often wondered about her and tonight I heard a jazz song that made me think of her so I googled her and found this news of her passing. Sad to hear it. A tiny lady with a massive voice. RIP.
Do you have any recordings of Sheila singing? She was my great Aunty who I only met when I was very young and I would love to learn more about her.
Helen Hayden. Can you contact me regarding Sheila as I may have some information for you.
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