Hello Fred,

I recently received a letter from my old band leader of yesteryear Preston born George Jackson, who with his wife Muriel, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary this year. George is now 72 years young, and during the 50's, 60's and early 70's did so very much for our kind of music in the north of England. 

Older jazz fans will remember with fond memories the Jackson-Bradshaw band based in Preston in the 50's. When Ivor Bradshaw sadly died, George took over the mantle of the band with much success. Some of the fine musicians who played or depped with the band included Drummers:- Mo Green, Don Bridgewood, Alan Butterworth, Eric Dean. Bassists:- George Littlewood, Derek Pierce. Pianist John Featherstone, Banjoist/Guitarists:- Dave Potts, John Parkinson, Mike Reddin. Clarinets/Sax:- Maurice Gavan, Bob Crosby, Mart Rogers, Dave Mott and Harold Salisbury. I think the above musicians would agree that they gained so very much from George's enthusiasm and musical knowledge of jazz. 

I joined the Jackson Band during the mid sixties, shortly after my army service, and jazz fans will remember the old Manchester Sports Guild run by Mr Jenks, where the band played many gigs there during this period. The band recorded a compilation of Christmas songs for George Bucks New Orleans label. Tony Davis played the CD on his much missed Tony's Trad Time", on several occasions at Christmas time. The late sadly missed John Featherstone organised the recording, and I believe the CD is still selling well in New Orleans after all these years. If I remember at the end of the recording session, there was still a few spare tracks, so George and Mart Roger recorded a stunning version of Froggie More Rag and a few other numbers. I would love to get hold of it.

I hope these few lines have brought a few happy memories back, and a few tributes to the Unsung Heroes of our music. when I spoke to Digby Fairweather a few months ago, he re-iterated the famous lines of the late John Lennon, "WHEN WE GET TO LONDON THAT WILL BE THE END OF TRADITIONAL JAZZ", of words to that effect. 

SOME HOPE!! 
Jimmy Smith 

Dear Fred,

George Jackson : He made a record years ago with John Featherston playing piano, Don Bridgewood drums, Derek Pierce Bass, Mike Reddin banjo. They had insufficient tracks to complete the LP and I can't remember what happened to his reed man but I was invited to join the band for the recording of the last two or three tracks. I still have a copy and it came out good.

Mart Rodger

07/05/06 - Hi Fred

Getting lots of pleasure from the site and just been browsing and while I hesitate to contradict Mart Rodger, the session he referred to with George Jackson (cornet), Derek Pierce (bass), Mike Reddin (banjo), John Featherstone of blessed memory on piano - incidentally his widow June, who used to work in Hime & Addison was well when I last spoke to her - and myself on washboard, was not to pad out a George Jackson LP but to fill up a Zenith Six tribute to Jelly Roll Morton. It was recorded in Macclesfield and was PROPER jazz. No rehearsal, a chat beforehand in the studio in Macclesfield and we ripped off Froggie Moore and Doctor Jazz and I do not think I ever heard Mart and George play better, they sparked off each other. Another person mentioned a CD of it, but I am pretty sure it was only issued on LP, but not 100 per cent certain.

Regards Don Bridgewood