31/01/24 - Bob Lamb felt that founder of the
Merseysippi Jazz Band, bass player Dick Goodwin, should be
remembered
In the latter part of 1948, in
the North West of England, in Liverpool, a group of musicians
got themselves together and formed a band called 'The Wallasey
Rhythm Kings'. Then only little more than schoolboys, Ken
Baldwin (banjo), Frank Robinson (piano), Wally Fisher (trumpet),
Dennis Gracey (trombone), Pat Evans (aka Evan Patrick)
(clarinet), Dick Goodwin (bass) and Ken Metcalfe (drums)
launched themselves upon an unsuspecting world on St Valentine's
Day, Monday 14 February, 1949, at the Grosvenor Ballroom,
Wallasey.
Bassist Dick Goodwin was the driving force in the band and he
provided the impetus that led to the band promoting itself at
'Merseyside's First Jazz Band Ball.' Admission was three
shillings (15p), refreshments could be purchased "at moderate
prices" and dancing was from 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm. The night
resulted in a net profit of £2. 1s. 9d.
Dick Goodwin was a left-handed
bassist, founder-member and amazing whisky drinker, Dick sadly
passed away at the end of 1996. His commitment to the MJB had
always been total and became even more intense when he stopped
playing in 1964 and concentrated on managing the band. His
propensity for dressing up when 'going a bit' in the early hours
of the morning is unforgettable. What he could do with a string
bag, two oranges and a marrow was a privilege that only the
members and close friends of the band ever enjoyed, but he will
always be remembered as a quietly brilliant motivator and quite
lovable man.
Derek
Vaux
31/01/24 -
When he
returned to Civvy Street following service in WWII , Dick found
himself working alongside fellow jazz enthusiast Fred Jarvis,
later to become General Secretary of the NUT Dick formed a band,
The Wallasey Rythym Kings, later the Merseysippi Jazz Band,
while Jarvis reported their gigs to the local press .
One
night, Dick heard some lads saying they were leaving (the Mardi
Gras) as there were no girls there, he realised that they hadn't
come to hear the band, only to find girls. He decided to give up
playing and managed the band instead for a time..
Dick
was always loyal towards the MJB and continued to support them
up to his sudden death. He accepted his shortcomings as a bass
player but relished the fact that he drank the great bassist,
and fellow whisky drinker, Percy Heath, playing in Liverpool
with the MJQ, ' under the table '. Heath was heard to say the
following day " keep me away from that guy ".