Just received the sad news that veteran Dixieland trumpet player Fred Rowe died in hospital this morning.
When someone dies it is almost obligatory to say what a nice guy he was irrespective of the truth. No such subterfuge in the case of Fred Rowe. Fred really was one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet and a fine trumpet player who formed his style early on and stuck with it. I first heard him playing with the Rivermouth Jazzmen at the Wouldhave Café, later to change its name to the Shoreline Club, on the seafront at South Shields. It was honest, straight down the middle, Dixieland. This would be in the early '50s. In later years I heard Fred with the Tyne Valley Stompers and other bands led by drummer Ray Brown.
Like myself, Fred and Ray were cycling enthusiasts and I recall Fred telling me that as a special present for a 'significant' birthday the family arranged a trip to the Ghent Six-Day race in Belgium.
In his latter days, he played with Rendezvous Jazz and the Vieux Carré Jazzmen before finally retiring from playing in 2015.
His lyrical lead, his catchy vocals and his sense of fun will be missed by all who knew him both on and off the stand.
Move over Gabriel there's a new kid in Heaven.
Fred Rowe was 89.
Condolences to family and friends.
Funeral details to be announced.
Lance.
16 comments :
Fred singing 'Angry' with Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz at the Piper in Cullercoats was good fun. He insisted he was 'angry' but, of course, nothing could have been further from the truth. A nice man.
Only worked a couple of times with Fred but a nice gentleman so sad.
Very sad news. There not many trumpet players left.
Very nice gentleman, very easy to play for and with.
Will be sorely missed .
Peace and blessings
Raymond Newton Double Bass player.
It seemed Fred could play anything on trumpet - I can't recall him ever saying 'sorry, I don't know that one'.
He was a terrific showman and entertainer, too. His comedy versions of popular 20's hits which he put his own hilarious lyrics to included, 'MY MOTHER'S PIES' (My Mother's Eyes) and 'I'M GETTING OVER THE WORST HANGOVER' (I'm looking over a 4-Leaf Clover), would have the audience in fits of laughter.
Fred was still doing the business when he visited the Crescent Club just a few months ago and performed a duet with his good friend and clarinetist from The Vintage Jazzmen, Jim Ruddick - they sang 'Minnie the Mermaid' to great applause. RIP Fred.
Sad news indeed!
Enjoyed his playing on many occasions when he guested with us at the "Porthole" Jazz Club in North Shields!
Oh no!! Lovely man!! What a pity
Such sad news. As has been said above, a lovely man and such a nice player. I remember he used to talk about his model making too. I believe he was quite an expert in that field.
Rest in Peace Fred.
I played with Fred for years in the Tyne Valley Stompers. Ray Brown used to hand him a programme list which Fred would consult, put on his mischevious smile, drop the list on the floor and stomp off something completely different ! He had a little chip of wood which he dropped on the floor. He was the nicest man, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of early jazz - including the Verses which few other jazzers would bother with. He was a great help to me in sorting out unusual tunes - and also a bit of chemistry when I was restoring old engines.
I believe he had an extensive record collection.
In 40 years Fred kept to his technique which could have quite a bite. My brother came up one weekend and told me that he could spot which note Fred was going to play next as his eyebrows went up to match the note. I enjoyed listening to him , both leading the band and on vocals.
A great loss to Jazz. He even liked sousaphones!
I remember many sessions with The Vintage Jazzmen with Fred Rowe on trumpet. In the early 1970's, Dad played a lot of valve-trombone with the band and I would always get my chance to sit in and stand next to Fred and try to play a new number that I was learning. He was always very patient while I was trying to find the right notes, as you have said a true gentleman. The last time I had a blow with Fred was in 2014. He was a fine trumpet player who played at times in the Muggsy Spanier, Tommy Ladnier style very lyrical but with power.
He will be very much missed. R.I.P.
Colin Aitchison (Hong Kong)
Worked with Fred on a number of occasions. Always a pleasure and great fun.
Sad news indeed.
Thankyou all for your kinda words this means so much to us all and I know my granda spoke very highly of you all and constantly had stories and jokes to tell us involving you as I recognise many of the names mentioned above and by those who’ve left comments we will cherish your kind words in this difficult time for us all
Love Danielle (Fred’s youngest granddaughter) x
Condolences to the family and all Fred's many admirers but particularly from the group of us
from Shields whose love of trad jazz was sparked off by visits to hear Fred and friends at the South Shields Jazz club meeting variously in the old South Shields Corporation Transport Club in Green Street and the nearby Veterans Club ..all in the fifties...will be greatly missed but never forgotten...Brian Mackley
So sad to hear the news about Fred. He was was the first established band that I ever played with when he asked me to join the Rivermouth Jazzmen in 1955 approx.& I stayed with him until 1957 until Nat Service in the RAF called. Fred was indeed a lovely man who had an enormous repertoire of tunes inc. some really obscure stuff. He gave Trevor Johnson & myself a lot of leeway at the Wouldhave which was a dry gig & turned a blind eye to our trips to the Sea Hotel,during the interval(the nearest watering hole) often returning a little late-- you couldn't force Trevor to hurry a pint.The band did a lot of river boat shuffles in those days & as there was never a piano on board, Fred allowed me to play my ancient alto sax, very incompently,rather than let me lose the gig.Two years in an RAF station band improved my competence but I never played again after my demob.I have an old photo of the band in full flight at the Wouldhave with Trevor Johnson on clarinet, Gus Minto (Tbne),Pete Martin (bjo),Ray Brown(Wbd),myself on piano,& Danny Harris on bass.The only people who could still be alive are Gus & Pete but I have no knowledge.They were happy days & playing with Fred was a great learning curve in my future jazz career. Fred will be a great loss.
Love to see that photo Bill.
Post a Comment