Just heard the sad news today that Stockton jazz trumpeter Gerry Denning passed away at the grand old age of 90. Gerry played with numerous bands over the years including the Tees Valley Jazzmen. As a young jazz musician, I learnt many things from him……including trying to busk lots of jazz standards! He and I played together many times over the years and had some great fun. Gerry wilI be best remembered for his beautiful warm and lyrical playing and his exhaustive repertoire of tunes!
One of the last times we played together was at the 60th anniversary of the butchers Blackwells of Norton (see photo).
RIP Gerry.
Jeremy McMurray
1 comment :
So sad to hear of the passing of Gerry Denning, a lovely character and smashing trumpet player, with whom I played with many times over the years.I could reflect on the many interesting stories working with Gerry - his gigs were like adventures. One that comes to mind is playing a gig at Cockerton Club. Gerry had forgotten his trumpet mouthpiece, that meant driving 20 miles back home to get it and we had become short of time! Gerry informed the organiser who told him that the Cockerton Silver Band had just finished rehearsing at the back of the club. Oh! that meant he might have access to a suitable mouthpiece. Gerry organised to borrow one resulting in one-saved gig! God bless Gerry, if there are any gigs up there I'm sure Gerry will get some-Peter Ayton
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