Ten north east jazz greats. 7 - Mike Carr

Mike Carr (1937 - 2017). Born in South Shields, the younger brother of Ian, Mike Carr was one of the great jazz organists. He could hold his own with any of the American B3 stars. Like Ian, as related in the previous episode, he began playing hard bop with Newcastle's Emcee Five. Back then, at the old Down Beat Club on Carliol Square, he played piano and, occasionally vibes.

After moving south, he switched to organ and recorded Hammond Under Pressure with Tony Crombie on drums. This album knocked me out so much I loaned it to everyone I met knowing that, once they'd heard it, they'd go out and buy it. I think some probably did but, as you can guess, it was loaned out to someone who loaned it out to someone else who loaned it out to someone else and I never did get it back. 

There was much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth and I wore sackcloth and ashes until, one day, I met a chap who now occasionally writes for BSH who actually had a copy of Hammond Under Pressure and agreed to tape it for me. At last, I knew how the Ancient Mariner felt! 

However, I digress. I heard Mike many times including a memorable session with Ronnie Scott at, I think, The County Hotel, Newcastle. then there was his Blue Note Band with Steve Fishwick. after BSH got up and running, I had occasional email exchanges with Mike which, although indicating that whilst his health may have been failing he was still a lovely guy.

Lance