My name is
Ian Entwisle, Bass Player now living in Holmfirth,
West Yorks now, but as a Lancastrian in exile I was
interested to see your website and recognised many
names on there as people I had played with during
the early to mid 80’s
Many people may remember my Dad, Norman Entwisle,
who was a Jazz Guitarist playing in many Manchester
Jazz Bands during the 60’s 70’s and 80’s (at least)
Norman (Dad) was my passport into Jazz, I was at the
time a Pub/Club Rock Band Bass Guitarist in my early
20s and he couldn’t resist buying a himself a bass
and sat in with a few bands : Panama Jazz Band, John
Taylor (trumpet) band, Bill Oldham’s (Trombone)
Band, Dave Ellisons (Clarinet) Jazz Band and of
course Jim Wilkes White Rose Jazz Band. When these
bands preferred his guitar playing I was drafted in
on Bass and learned my craft learning all the Jazz
standards. I was know as ‘Ian, Son of Norman’ a name
which sort of stuck.
I have many happy memories of playing with Jim
Wilkes in particular and the tribute on your site is
top notch. HE was a lovely guy and is sadly missed.
I used to travel to gigs with Jim on occasions and
he was a real inspiration to me with his relaxed
style and his completely made up stories to
introduce tunes.
I don’t think it is just me that remembers Norman as
a Legend, most bands loved his solid rhythm work and
knowledge of chords, he was not so much a lead
player but his solo features were based on chord
inversions, arpeggios and solid rhythmic guitar
work. He was also very modest, never seeking the
limelight and always willing to encourage others, I
can actually remember when I was much younger, Jon
Gordon came to our house when he was first starting
out on Guitar and he had come to get some tips from
Norman who was a big Django Reinhart fan.
Sadly Dad passed away at the end of 2000 following a
long illness, and I would really appreciate it if
you could include an entry on your website to
immortalise his contribution to the Manchester Jazz
Scene over the years.
I am enclosing a couple of photos, one is obviously
just Norman with his guitar, the other photo was
taken at Jim Wilkes House : (Left to right) Howard
Maude (Drums) Ian Entwisle (Bass,) Norman Entwisle
(Guitar), Jim Wilkes (Trumpet), Terry Arnold
(Trombone) and Les Whitemoss (Clarinet - hidden)
As you can see a lively time was had by all !!!!
particularly Terry !!
I am still playing bass and now have electric,
fretless and and upright ‘stick’ bass
I am always looking for gigs so if anyone needs a
dep bass player for Jazz gigs they can contact me on
mobile 07986 037312 or email ian.entwisle@sky.com
Very best regards
Ian Entwisle
