PAUL
VERNON CHESTER
Manouche Maestro
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Manouche Maestro |
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Alan Metcalfe - Jazz Guitarist Alan Metcalfe Electric Guitarist - was a regular member of Ken Sykora's 6 and often appeared on Guitar Club as a Soloist
I was at the Wrexham Jazz
Guitar Festival this weekend and had the good fortune to get a new, limited
edition CD featuring 19 tracks by Jack Toogood and his Swingtette. This acoustic
music from the late '50s/early '60s is totally stunning and surpasses 99% of the
'hot club' derived music I get sent for review.
Jack was a major sessioner (and Djangophile) living in Bristol
and put together this band for radio and TV shows of the period. Featuring Johnny Van Derrick on violin,
Alan Metcalfe on rhythm guitar and un-named
bassist and drummer Jack's old Selmer sounds beautiful.
The arrangements of well known standards are tight and inventive
and whilst Django was his hero the music is not a slavish copy. Think more
Henri Crolla or Sarene Ferret.
The music has been compiled by an ex-student of Jack's who has done
this as a labour of love, his only motive being that we should all hear this
masterful playing. I am assured Jack is still alive and teaching as a sprightly
80 year old. I for one am booking a lesson.
![Bill McGuffie Big Band - The Piano Artistry of Bill McGuffie [Remastered Edition] (2000)](images/Bands/BillMcGuffie.jpeg) Alan Metcalfe also played with the Bill McGuffie Big Band Bill McGuffie (piano); Bob Burns, Peter Hughes (alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet); Bobby Lamb, Jimmy Wilson, Keith Christie, Bill Geldard (Trombone) Derek Watkins, John McLevy, Paul Tungay, Greg Bowen (trumpet); Alan Metcalfe (guitar); Frank Donnison (bass); Bobby Midgley (drums). With Denny Wright, - Denny's first guitar an Epiphone at age eight, sold to him by father of John Williams. His first band formed 1937, played south-east London; DW’s brother on rhythm guitar, while DW gravitated to lead. Member of Auxiliary Fire Service during Blitz, suffered injuries and convalesced for three months in Morcambe; there met guitarist Alan Metcalfe and started playing together; on return to London started playing at Jigg’s Club with Beryl Bryden.
Jack Toogood was a major session Musician (and Djangophile)
living in Bristol and put together this band for radio and TV shows of
the period. Featuring Johnny Van Derrick on violin,
Alan Metcalfe on rhythm guitar and
un-named bassist and drummer
Album - Swinging
Scots 1957
Personnel: Johnny Keating (conductor), Bobby Pratt [1 2 4 8 9], Tommy McQuater [1 2 9], Eddie Blair [out 6], Duncan Campbell [1 2 9], Jimmy Deuchar [1 2 3 5 7 9] (trumpets), Jock Bain [1 2 9], Jimmy Wilson [1 2 9], Wally Smith [1 2 9], George Chisholm [1 2 4 6 9] (trombones), Burt Harden [1 2 4 8 9] (tuba), George Hunter [1 2 4 8 9], Ronnie Baker [1 2 3 5 7 9] (alto saxophones), Tommy Whittle [out 6], Duncan Lamont [1 2 4 6 8 9] (tenor saxophones), Ronnie Ross (baritone saxophone), Andy Dennits (piano), Alan Metcalfe (guitar), Jack Seymour (bass), Bobby Orr (drums). Bill McGuffie Quartet Bill McGuffie - piano Alan Metcalfe - guitar Jack Collier - bass Jock Cummings - drums Can anyone flesh out Alan Metcalfe? - Images Anecdotes etc
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