Christmas greetings to and from Bill Harper

It's always good to receive a Xmas greeting and to single one out above the rest is not only impossible but also unfair.

However, this year I felt especially pleased, and honoured, to hear from pianist Bill Harper.

Back in the 1980s, after the tragic death of Malcolm Saul, Bill became JNE's first call pianist to back the American (and British) legends who appeared regularly at the Corner House and other north east venues. In 2013 Bill posted some of his memories in a series of posts on this site. They make fascinating, and often very funny reading, from a guy whose sense of humour was almost as good as his piano playing which made it very good indeed.

Here are just a few links to those musings: Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

Finding himself getting frustrated by neighbourhood anti-social behaviour Bill and his wife, vocalist the late Anne DeVere, upped sticks and moved to France. Sadly Anne passed away in 2023 and this year Bill returned to the UK to be near his daughter in Aberdeen.

Although arthritis has curtailed his playing he still loves the music and cherishes his memories of those magical nights playing alongside 'the greats'.

Thank you Bill for sharing some of those memories on BSH - enjoy Hogmanay! Lance