Sad to announce the passing of George Gosling at the age of 93. Although better known as a guitarist working in, and around, the South Tyneside CIU club scene George was a fine jazz guitarist with a rich knowledge of chords who could slot into any genre.
I remember our mutual friend, the late Bill Shaw, telling me how George sat in with a band at a festival and ended up touring Germany with them a few days later.
He had a sardonic sense of humour. I recall one of the rare gigs I did with him. He called a tune, maybe Cherokee or All the Things, and he said, "We'll trade choruses". We did and I lost by a country mile! This was part of my musical education. I vowed that next time we played that I would call the tune. I did and I still lost!
Who cared? He was a great guy and if he'd got himself involved in the wider jazz scene he'd have made waves. As it was, Hebburn Newtown Club and other similar venues were all enhanced by his presence backing the 'artistes'.
George died on Dec. 14.
Well remembered. Lance
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