Miles Watson (tpt/vcl); Pepe Greenaway (alt); Laurie Brown (ten/clt/dms); Roy Gibson (pno); Robin Douthwaite (gtr); Peter Ninnim (dms) + Teresa Armstrong & Dave Bosomworth (vcl).
(Review and remembrance by Lance).
This was quite an emotional day for me - not because it was the Eve of Christmas but because it was the Eve of Destruction for The Porthole pub. A pub that has stood for many years near North Shields' Ferry Landing, now faces the fate of its once glorious neighbours the Crane Locker and the Northumberland Arms (AKA "The Jungle").
For at least 25 years, maybe longer, the Porthole has been a popular jazz watering hole and many are the names both local and beyond who have passed through its portals.
Back in the old days, reed players Munro Sutherland and Russell the barber* (not to be confused with Russell the BSH scribe whom, coincidentally, I first met here and who was also present at today's wake,) held court. Bass player J. C. Hallam, looked in and recalled them as being contenders for the worst clarinet players ever!
Hughie Aitchison played trumpet as did Joe McMullen who, I think, formed the original version of the current Jazz Esquires.
Stan Martin, Eric Pollard, Tommy Moran, Ian Trewella, Arthur Mowatt, were among the saxes. Derek Dixon was just one of the many bass players and his own wake was held at the pub. Gordon Bage, George Laing played piano as did Bob Coulson and Roy Gibson whose birthday it was today. Eric Gamblin on guitar, Joe Garner bass the list is endless - not forgetting the afternoon I took Eric Delaney over - magic moments. My apologies to all of those musicians that I've missed out - just too many - carve their names with pride.
Apart from the Jazz Esquires, the Maine Street Jazzmen and Rendezvous Jazz also had lunchtime gigs here and no doubt many others.
Today the current alumni, listed above, gave a spirited performance of the tried and tested with Teresa (pictured) in good voice and we wish them all the best for 2015 at their new venue (literally) up the road at the Magnesia Bank (Jan 7, 1pm.)
Lance.
* Russell the barber, incidentally had a baritone sax that once belonged to George Melachrino. He sold it to my dear friend the late Charlie Carmichael who in turn sold it on to Chris, a workmate of mine, and Chris, eventually, sold it in Amsterdam! Where is it today I wonder?
1 comment :
Must be 20 years ago (or more) since I first went to the Porthole
and sat in while Johnny Jackson had a tete a tete with his
girlfriend.I sometimes had a job getting him back on the
drums as I had to get back to work ! I sat in (badly) on guitar
for a while then after many many years off the instrument
bought a set of vibes I then took over the drum chair after
Johnny retired from playing. Had many happy years with Joe
Mac, Arthur Mowatt and more fine musicians. I took over the
band eventually and although sad to lose the venue a new
venture awaits at the Magnesia Bank.I have switched to tenor
sax at age 80 years after 64 years drumming mainly for a new
challenge but also increasing arthritis pain (good job I've got my own
band to practice on!)
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