Dave Lee (piano); Alec Dankworth (bass); Winston Clifford (drums)
This was indeed, a historic concert. Pianist Dave Lee, will, on 12 August (today) be 100 years old. He is probably best remembered for playing in the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra from 1954 to 1959 and is fondly remembered by fans of that band. It was fitting that the Pizza Express was packed to the rafters for this lunchtime concert and equally fitting that two of the UK's finest players, Alec Dankworth and Winston Clifford, on double bass and drums respectively, were his accompanists, particularly Alec who is the son of the late, great John Dankworth.
Dave opened the session by telling the audience that at the age of 5 he learned to play Empty Bed Blues from his dad's record collection. It was by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. In a droll fashion, he added that at the age of five he had never heard of Bessie or Louis. 'I learned the blues chords before my dad confiscated the record because I played it so much' he said 'and so we'll start off with some blues now'.
Throughout the concert Dave showed that he is still a fleet fingered two-fisted pianist with an agile mind providing plenty of creative ideas and swinging in an effortless fashion, completely at ease. He played two sets, a half hour first and a full one hour second set. His repertoire consisted of a number of blues pieces and a choice of standards from the GAS. These included George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington pieces. In between there were some interesting and humorous anecdotes, with stories about his five year period as Judy Garland's accompanist.
Dave then sang a song that he had written an alternative, amusing set of lyrics for. It was Cole Porter's You're The Top, he called it You're The Pits. The audience loved it. Towards the end of the concert he announced that he had invited his grand-daughter to sing a song. She duly obliged and sang I've Got The World On A String and You Made Me Love You, the latter in a heartfelt mode to grand-dad.
This was a memorable concert and experience. At the end of the concert the audience spontaneously sang Happy Birthday. I was so glad to be present. Bernard McAlinden
P.S. On a personal level, I had taken my concert ticket dated 25 April 1959 to show Dave. It was the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. The price of the ticket was 4 shillings and sixpence. Dave was pleased to see it and his grand-daughter took a photograph of it. Happy days - then and now!
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