Bebop Spoken Here interviewed Simon Spillett ahead of his concert at GIJF.
BSH: You’re playing Gateshead International Jazz Festival this year in a rather special concert.
Yes, it's a double-header featuring the recently released documentary film 'Tubby Hayes – A Man in A Hurry' and my quartet playing a set of Tubby's music.
BSH: Tubby’s music has obviously played a major part in your life, very much influencing your own playing.
His music has been a massive shaping force in my life and has provided the major stylistic compass for my playing.
BSH: Is this going to be, ultimately, an albatross around your neck? I’m thinking of Quinichette and Lester Young, Stitt and Parker who never quite broke free of their inspiration.
Sounds like critic-speak to me! Frankly, I don't care whether anyone thinks it's an albatross or not. I like that style of playing and it's given me something positive to focus on. Playing Tubby's music (and that type of jazz generally) seems a worthwhile endeavour to me and I'm too busy enjoying it to think about whether it's holding me back or not!
BSH: You’ve also written what will surely come to be regarded as the definitive biography despite, because he died so young, never having met him or even heard him live other than on record. This must surely be one of your biggest regrets?
I was born a year after Tubby died so I envy anyone who got to hear him live. All I have to go on are the recordings and, as we all know, a record can only tell you so much.
BSH: The film preceding the concert, were you involved with that too?
Yes, I was interviewed for the film and helped act as a consultant to the film's production team, Mark Baxter and Lee Cogswell.
BSH: One of the links between Tubbs and yourself is the drummer in your quartet – Spike Wells. Spike was a member of the Tubby Hayes Quartet for a considerable time. Did this influence you when you were looking for a drummer?
Of course. When somebody of that stature likes playing with you, you don't say no! One thing that is particularly key here: although we play some of the music Spike played with Tubby's band, we also play things he didn't play, including material from earlier line-ups such as The Jazz Couriers and the Tubby Hayes Quintet. Spike isn't simply there to do a “tribute” act or an impression of his younger self – he's there to bring what he does to the music right now – which he does beautifully. He's one of the great jazz drummers, one of the most creative people I've ever met, and a musician from whom I've learned so much.
BSH: The title of your book - The Long Shadow of the Little Giant. Can you elaborate further?
Tubby was widely known as The Little Giant, a nickname acknowledging the fact that his short frame housed a gigantic musical talent. The title of the book came from me thinking how this Little Giant who died over forty years ago continues to cast such an imposing shadow over British jazz. The length of the shadow implies that the sun is setting on that era, making this the ideal time to celebrate Tubby's genius.
BSH: Thank you – I’m looking forward to the concert.
Lance.
The Simon Spillett Quartet Play the Music of Tubby Hayes as part of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival on Sunday, April 17. The evening begins with a screening of the new film Tubby Hayes – A Man in a Hurry. The concert will be followed by a short Q&A session with Simon.
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