Keeper Of The Flame

[Royal Oak]

Firstly, I have no connection with this book, I was bought a copy.

 

It's probably of most interest to Mancunians of a certain age, but I think it could interest a wider audience. As the title suggests, it's a record of Modern Jazz in Manchester. It contains hundreds of photographs, of just about anyone who came to play jazz in Manchester (which, to my surprise, was just about everyone around during that period).

 

Below is a link to a couple of pics/r

Edited February 17, 2021 by rdavenport

[Big Beat Steve]

Thanks for making us aware of this book!

Checked out the linked sites and tend to agree with antonyh. This should appeal even to those interesedt in jazz of that period who were NOT there at the time.

If the reviews are anything to go by, this should be a very nice documentary of British jazz from that era. I guess I wil place an order for a copy shortly (so the book can keep similar "local jazz scene" books about Detroit, Newark, Stockholm, Göteborg and Cologne company on my bookshelf ).

[Big Beat Steve]

Received my copy of this masterwork yesterday, and while I do feel sort of flattered by the fact that my copy seems to have been the first one shipped to Germany (according to what the publishers said), this is not the main reason for these lines but rather the fact that this book deserves every plug that it can get!

Whatever in-print and online reviews of this book say - they do not exaggerate one bit. Don't be misled by the title - the regional aspects really will probably be secondary to most readers (except those chosen few who "have been there") and to "non-locals" (read: "non-initiated") this certainly does not detract from the contents at all but will rather deepen the info provided as they provide an example of flourishing local or regional jazz scenes that unfortunately often remained unrecorded and therefore undocumented.

The narrative is fascinating (even if you are not familiar with the local scene at all), the photos and memorabilia fascimiles are varied and excellently produced (and while I have doubts about the accuracy of 1 or 2 captions this does not detract in any way) and most will be new to any reader, and the information on the entire British jazz scene of this era (and even of jazz at large, because the pictorial and text coverage of the local concert and jam session appearances of numerous U.S. jazz stars will provide added info to their biographies) is priceless.

So even to non-locals, this is a "Must Have" a for anybody interested in this key period of British jazz. Put on some Esquire vinyls or Jasmine CD reissues of Brit modern jazz from those decades, browse through the countless "action shots" of British jazz notables and relive the music with an entirely new, added visual dimension!

100 out of 100 points in my book anytime ...

Edited March 23, 2011 by Big Beat Steve

[BillF]

You've certainly whetted my appetite, Steve! I was at quite a few of those gigs! I have reserved a copy from Manchester Public Libraries and am next in line.

[Big Beat Steve]

If you've "been there, seen that", Bill, then I'd almost guarantee you'd not even regret shelling out for the book to have it as a permanent keepsake of those times on your bookshelf.

[BillF]

Well, if the book turns out to be as good as you say, I'll probably buy my own copy!

[BillF]

You'll be pleased to hear I've now placed my order for a copy, after perusing a library reference copy yesterday.

Well, that was a trip down memory lane! Not only are the visiting American greats covered in text and pictures, but also local musicians whom I remember well, e.g. the Sheffield/Manchester quintet of Clifford Brown-influenced trumpeter, Barry Whitworth and Mobley-style tenorman, Julius Hasford. Very pleased, too, to see photos of student musicians who were my friends in those days, pianist John Rubin and altoist Jack Massarik, later London Evening Standard jazz correspondent. Among those acknowledged as assisting publication by pre-ordering copies are John Rubin and David Bradbury, the latter my great friend in those days, a jazz enthusiast who went far in his later career in newspapers. A bit of research reveals that in recent years he's authored books on Armstrong and Ellington, something I never knew about.

The book covers the Manchester scene from 1946 to 1972. I was a student at Manchester University from 1958 to 1961 and then at Leeds University from 1962 to 1965, returning to Manchester as a college lecturer from 1965, with frequent visits to Leeds. The book reveals that many of the musicians I saw in Leeds also appeared in Manchester on the same tour. These include Lee Konitz, Cecil Payne, Johnny Griffin, Freddie Hubbard with the Ronnie Scott Quartet, Joe Harriott, Tubby Hayes and Chris McGregor with Dudu Pukwana.

The book reveals that an amazing number of jazz greats passed through this city in those years. I was reminded of this a couple of years ago when I first posted a comment on New York journalist and jazz historian Marc Myers' JazzWax blog. Marc asked me my location and I replied:

"I live - and have lived for many years - in Manchester. A great place for indie bands, which unfortunately isn't my sort of music. Mind you, in this city I heard Basie, Duke, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Ben Webster, Gil Evans, Monk, Blakey, Roach, Philly Joe, Kenny Clarke, Lee Morgan, Roland Kirk, Mobley, Griffin, Dexter - need I go on?"

Marc replied:

"Ah, good ol' Manchester. You're right. You were directly in the path of all the band stops. What an education and experience. Most of us can only dream ..."

One photo in the book caught my imagination more than any other. It was taken in a Manchester club and showed a quintet of local rhythm section and front line of Maynard Ferguson and Johnny Griffin. Now, what must that have sounded like?

Edited April 12, 2011 by BillF

[David Ayers]

Well, it all depends how you feel about Manchester, I'm afraid...

[BillF]

Touché, David!

[sidewinder]

I think I'll order a copy of this - it sounds right up my street. Maybe it will be the first one South of Watford Gap (apart from Germany that is ).

[Big Beat Steve]

I think I'll order a copy of this - it sounds right up my street. Maybe it will be the first one South of Watford Gap (apart from Germany that is ).

I am afraid not - my e-mail exchanges with the author's son (prior to ordering my copy) revealed that two copies have already gone to Austria and three to France.

@BillF:

Interesting to read your comments. Must indeed have been a great time to be there and witness all those legends live on stage. Something us young'uns (well, young-ish 'uns ) can only dream of.

[JulianBirch]

Thankyou people for your kind words. Please note too that the book is not-for-profit, sold at cost, hence the unavailability via Amazon. It has taken my father, Bill Birch, 4 years of research, and he was there in Manchester through this featured history. It includes ticket stubs/flyers etc.. All the top American stars of the time are shown, & 90% of the photos have never before been published. Don Rendell wrote the foreword and thinks the book is stunning, as do many others, here's some feedback:

"One of the most beautiful books on British jazz I've seen; a genuine work of bibliographic art.." Digby Fairweather (Trumpeter, writer and jazz historian)

"WOW! This book is amazing and a true visual tour-de-force. An extraordinary history of the

Manchester jazz scene and a reminder of how quickly the American post-war Bebop movement spread

across the Atlantic.. Buy it!! " Fred Cohen (Owner of the Jazz Record Center, NYC)

"A highly impressive and expertly compiled anthology which jazz fans will find a mandatory

purchase, wherever they hail from" Simon Spillett (Saxophonist and jazz historian)

"A true labour of love which crystalises the development of jazz in Britain.." Chris Lee (Former jazz reviewer- Manchester Evening News,

& The Daily Telegraph)

"Nobody else has written a jazz chronicle quite like this. A marvel and a delight.

No seat of learning should be without one" Jack Massarik (Jazzwise magazine)

Much more to see- View/read more by googling "Keeper of the flame Bill Birch"

My father, Bill Birch, has also been invited by the IAJRC to give the lead intro speech to the 'International Association of Jazz Record Collectors', who this year are holding their annual convention in Manchester. He will be speaking at 1pm-2.15pm on the opening Thursday September 22nd, welcoming the IAJRC to the city and all its jazz heritage.

Book Info & Order form/Contact details: http://www.jazz-clubs-worldwide.com/promo/jazzinmanchester.htm

Enjoy.