(Photo from Ready, Steady, Gone) |
Although London born, he became a part of the Newcastle modern jazz scene when doing his national service in the RAF.
Prior to his stint in air force blue he'd played in the Jazz Couriers, with Tony Crombie and later, when the various members of the EmCee 5 migrated to London, he became house bassist at Ronnie Scott's.
Ah those nights at the Down Beat! Malcolm Cecil was very much a part of them.
He was 84.
Sadly missed - Rest In Peace.
Lance
3 comments :
Re Tony Crombie mentioned above, was he related to Keith Crombie of the Jazz Cafe?
No relation. Tony Crombie was one of the UK's top drummers of all-time. Keith Crombie would certainly have known Malcolm Cecil when he (Keith) worked as doorman at the Downbeat Club and where Malcolm played with the EmCee 5.
The first time I saw Malcolm Cecil was during the first Manchester Jazz Festival that took place 6-9 June 1963 in Belle Vue Gardens. I attended all three days and there were some of the UK's top musicians involved but one of the highlights was hearing Cecil playing with the Dizzy Gillespie/Ronnie Ross group. I have a photo of this which has gone missing somewhere in the back of a large bookcase.He will be remembered by many jazz fans. R.I.P.
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