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Heard in the break Article reproduced from
Just Jazz Magazine December 2011
Malcolm Hogarth
Merseysippi Jazz Band, every Monday
8.30-11 pm, Liverpool Cricket Club, Aigburth. What got you started in Jazz? My brother playing jazz records: Ken Colyer (Red Wing), Stan Kenton (Wimoweh), Les Paul (HowHigh The Moon), Earl Bostick (Flamingo), Lonnie Donegan (The Rock Island Line). Is there one record that got you hooked for life? 78rpm Brunswick of Louis Armstrong's All Stars playing Basin Street Blues. Give me the top three Jazz highlights of your life. Experiencing live jazz for the first time, with the Stovepipe Stompers playing in a hut in Rains Park, South London, in 1955, and Colin Bannigan playing Honky Tonk Blues in the Interval. Arriving in New Orleans in 1990 at Fritzel's Jazz Bar, Bourbon Street, and playing for three and half hours non-stop with Bruce Bakewell's N'Orleans Jazz Band. I thought to myself, I could live here! Being asked to take the great Frank Robinson's place in the Merseysippi Jazz band, following his death at the end of last year. Which Jazz great has influenced you the most, why and how? The brilliant pianist Mel Powell, and his record Thigamagig. It was the first time I'd heard running tenths on the piano, and I wanted to be able to play like him. The reality is that I can't, and never will, but it doesn't stop me trying. Which period or type of jazz does the most for you? I tend to listen (only) to the piano players, and I hanker after James P. Johnson's stride piano, and the boogie-woogie players. But then I hear the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, and can't believe my ears. And then there is Art Tatum's phenomenal piano playing and rhythmic and harmonic sense, and Erroll Garner, and....Arghhhh! I am just amazed by what I hear; and there are some brilliant young musicians coming on the scene today, generating new excitement. And the least for you? I'm not keen on freeform jazz - some excellent musicianship, but no fun for me. Who among the jazzmen you have played with do you most admire? My partner, Isabel Toner, who started learning to play the string bass at around 50, an age when others would say, "I've always wanted to learn to... but it's too late now," and who has achieved so much since then. Not least in being selected as the bass player with Liverpool's famous Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra. Given a chance, which band would you most like to have played for? The ODJB. Do you play any other instrument, or would you like to? I'm struggling with the tuba and sousaphone. My problem is that I need to play it with other musicians, but they are all too wise and tasteful. Which is the most recent CD you've bought? Debbie Arthur's Sweet Rhythm, 'The Talk of the Town; from Debbie's delightful Jelly Roll Cafe, in Tewkesbury. Who is the greatest Jazzman of all time and why? Probably Louis Armstrong, because he was so ahead of his time and led where most others have followed. But then for me there is, Art Tatum. Just wow! How would you describe your own playing? Pedestrian, supportive but affordable! The most encouraging comment written of me is in a review of a CD (JCCD-3098) The Church Alley Irregulars with Brian Carrick. Reviewing I Want To Be Happy it said, 'The pianist has outstanding lift: Otis, be warned! . .
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