Sad to report the passing of Jess McConnell earlier this week. He was one of Jarrow's characters of which there aren't many left. Publican, comic, brewer, and entrepreneur he had his finger in many pies.
He wasn't a jazzer although he did once book the Vieux Carré Jazzmen into the Albion pub - on St. Valentine's Night! Neither the music nor the pub was conducive to couples holding hands unless they were arm-wrestling for keeps.
To his credit Joss did sing Hello Dolly with the band - he could hold a tune. In the photo taken by Patti in 2020 Jess was campaigning to save all pubs after the devastation to the trade caused by Covid. The Albion Gin and Ale House - to give it its Sunday name - subsequently closed after a mysterious fire although Jess had since retired.
Everyone in Jarrow knew him and they all had a variety of opinions. I liked him for his sense of humour and his interest in local history of which he is now a part.
R.I.P. Lance
Addendum to R.I.P. Jess McConnell
As stated by BSH Editor-in-Chief, LL, Jess wasn't a jazzer. However, perhaps the man was responsible for a Jarrow Brewery ceramic hand pull being wall-mounted at a CAMRA award-winning pub on Wearside (see photo). The Ship Isis in Sunderland, is the pub in question. What's more, for the last year or so, Sunderland's Old Black Cat Jazz Club has presented one or two jazz gigs at the Silksworth Row hostelry. Raising a glass to Jess. Russell
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