03/11/18 - Musicians and jazz enthusiasts from
many parts of the North West will be devastated to learn that the talented and
versatile young drummer and vocalist Edward Hannaby died on Friday 2nd November
at the age of 43 in Ireland, where he had been attending the Cork Jazz Festival.
We learned on Tuesday that he was unconscious, having suffered a heart attack,
fallen and injured his head, and he never regained consciousness. For several
years he had been with Five and a Penny, a band he had admired and followed
since his childhood. He also played regularly with the Bill Basie Big Band and
others in the Chester, Liverpool and North Wales area, and had a band of his
own: the Ed Watt Band. He had a wonderful ear, an innate sense of swing and a
technique that, to a non-drummer at least, was breathtaking. Having played
regularly alongside him for the past three or four years, I shall really miss
his playing and his good company. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his partner
Katie and all the family. -
Allan Wilcox
04/11/18 -
He was an unusually talented
drummer and vocalist who thrilled many with his style and technique, and I had
the pleasure of playing alongside him many times. My condolences go out to Katie
and particularly to Ed's Dad, who is a fine musician and no doubt responsible
for his impact on the music scene. Ed will be greatly missed I'm sure.
Derek Harrison
04/11/18 -
That is terrible news. Ed depped for me with
the Merseysippi during my illness.
Deepest condolences .
Peter Darwin
04/11/18 -
It is with sadness
and shock I hear Ed Hannaby passed away while attending the Cork
Guinness Jazz Festival.
Last Sunday he attended our gig at The Clayton Hotel, and on Monday
we met again at Jazz venue The Shelbourne Bar, discussing Drums and
jazz. That evening I believe he fell ill.
Ed was a nice chap and a very good musician:
What more could one wish to aspire to?
Jon Critchley
Just a small collection of comments from Facebook
Well it is with the saddest of hearts that
unfortunately, Edward Hannaby passed away this morning. He was
pronounced brain dead as a result of a heart event that caused him
to fall and his heart to stop. After resuscitation, he never
regained consciousness or had any response. We are all devastated at
his loss, his Mum, Dad and Brother too...all together, and many
other family members and friends. We had enjoyed a weekend of jazz
at the Cork Jazz Festival and the worst happened at the end of the
last night on Monday. Life will never be the same again.
Heartbroken. Rest peaceful my love. Will miss you every day, every
minute. My soul mate and my best friend xxxxxxxxxxxx - Katie Jacks
He's gone, but he'll always be with us. Our
wonderful drummer, Ed Hannaby died this morning as a result of a
totally unexpected heart attack. On a personal note...Ed was the
only musician I have ever met who would phone or text after EVERY
single gig to say how cool it was, how the band can really go
places, how the audience responded, etc., etc. He was THE musician.
Never to be forgotten...thanks Ed, thanks so much for GIVING so
much. X - David Fishel
Lost a good friend and a great drummer today, so
sad, I will always remember you Ed. Thoughts go out to Katie and all
family - Stan Williams
I worked with Ed for a while and he was a true
gentlemen and gentle soul. We would sit in the work van driving
around and would walk as apart of our work and we would talk all
about Jazz music I learnt absolutely loads of him. I saw him live a
couple of times and he was bloody brilliant. I am totally shocked
like everybody else and wish the family my condolences, as his
family was the only other thing he would regularly talk about I know
how much they meant to him. Ed this is for you mate God be with you
till we meet again. - Jay Kay
So shocked to hear this. I knew Ed when he was a
young lad sitting in with Bill Basey's Band. Such a happy guy and a
first class musician. RIP Ed. - Mike Owen
Very sad to hear about the sudden passing of
Edward Hannaby. Hadn`t seen him for many years but have fond
memories of his drumming performances particularly at the Swan in
Penybryn with Richard Pinder and then with Dicey Riley along with
Gareth Lewis, Rebecca Hennessey and Spencer Smith in the early 90s.
Ed`s ability to solo to Green Onions is as good a drumming as I have
ever heard. He was also a great character too who always had a tale
to tell. My heart goes out to Ed`s family, gone way too soon. - Rob
Walsh
