Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra
Tony Antrobus-Drummer 1942 - 13th July 2005
A lot of readers will already know that Tony passed away in July of this year. He had been unwell since last November but it wasn’t until April of this year that doctors were able to pinpoint the disease, caused by exposure many years earlier, to asbestos.
Tony spent his last days at Tarpoley War Memorial Hospital, where he married his partner of many years, Angela.
Those of us that knew Tony well would probably describe Tony as a real gentleman, in many ways a gentle giant, mild mannered and quietly spoken. A joiner by trade, Tony managed to combine the hard work and long hours of running his own company with the demands and rigours of playing drums for one of the most famous semi-pro bands in England, for over thirty three years.
We know that Tony was cared for wonderfully by the staff at Tarpoley, a
charitable organisation, Anyone
wishing to make a donation can send a cheque, payable to the hospital c/o Dennis
Harrison, 22 Grafton Drive, Upton, Wirral CH49 0TX.
Dennis
Harrison, 2005
A Pen
Portrait from the Blue Mags web page in 1999 -
As a youngster, Tony began his career tapping on the table with knives and forks
and was responsible for damaging many a kitchen table! Surprisingly enough Tony
now runs his own kitchen fitting business. He previously played for the Memphis
Six, Freddie Ray's Jazzmen, the Nameless Ones (because they didn't have one!)
and The Plainsmen. He joined the Blue Mags in 1973. Tony says the greatest
influences in his career are Malc MacMurphy, Ken Colyer, Ron McKay and Acker
Bilk. He is also a great admirer of Alex Welsh, Terry Lightfoot, lan Menzies and
the Clyde Valley Stompers.
