Of course, in the early days of any of us on the Manchester Jazz scene, little would be officially known about individual musicians or bands until we started being 'noticed' by "Jack Florin" in his above articles, or by "Dave Duke" (Doug Ennefer), in the "Chron" or the Stockport Advertiser, or got flagged in one of Alan's famous "solo spot" images. Steve Voce also wrote about us from time to time. Alan Stevens's 'discoveries' usually entailed an appointment with the 'Features' editors and official Press photographers at the old M. E. N. offices on the corner of Cross St. in those days, besides impromptu visits by Alan or other critics to the clubs. Two or three years might have passed before we reached that stage of Jazz "Nirvana" and 'recognition at last'. Really brilliant rising stars were always spotted quickly, and there were always references to the pioneers of the Manchester Jazz Revival of 1942 (earlier than Graeme Bell's London effort, as it all started up here by Harry Giltrap, when he set up the Delta Rhythm Kings in 1942 and the Smoky City Stompers a few years later, with the help of clarinettist/vocalist Eric Lister). Derek Atkins, Barry Schumm, Merton Kaufman, Merton Cahm and Ken Wray, were among the first wave of the Revival. In the second wave, we find: Joe Palin, Roy Williams, Johnny Barnes, Keith Pendlebury, Doug Whaley, Sheila Collier, Gordon Robinson, Alan Hare, Des Hopkins, Moe Green, John Mayall (and his father, Murray Mayall), Mart Rodger, Randy Colville, Dave Mott, Allan Dent, Eric Welch, Dave Browning and a handful of others, were very soon noticed. The rest of us, including Maurice and people like me, would have to wait until we were worth noticing.

First of all it's great to hear from musicians (and normal people!) about my Dad, Alan Stevens. He didn't have an office and worked mainly from home in Edgeley, Stockport. I can only think that your photo and interview where undertaken at either the MEN offices or Radio Manchester on Oxford Street. You may remember he produced the programme Jazz A'Plenty with John Featherstone, a local jazz pianist (with whom l had a few lessons with learning stride piano). I recall a few other popular venues l tagged along with my Dad to... The Warren Bulkeley in Stockport, The Bamboo Club in Hazel Grove, Free Trade Hall in Manchester and the Davenport Theatre in Stockport to name a few. Thanks to my Dad l met the likes of Oscar Peterson, Stephan Grapelli, Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, Syd Lawrence, Erroll Garner, Ella Fitzgerald and many more jazz greats. I remember going to the MSG to see Maynard Ferguson and his Orchestra and we were practically sitting on each others shoulders. The atmosphere was always electric. Two other names that were well known in our household were Humphrey Lyttleton (well known trumpeter and critic) and Steve Race another well known jazz broadcaster.

Another well known name is Terry Brunt trombonist extraordinaire and wearer of florid scarves who is still playing. He has played with a number of bands, Tame Valley Stompers, Golden River City Jazz Band and the Jazz Gentlemen to name three. I mention his name because as a young teenager he invited me to play Sunday League football in his team called Ladybrook Lads. We were never going to challenge the likes of Man City, but Terry was an uncompromising centre half who always used to apologise to the opposing players if he tackled them. At that time (circa 1968) l had no idea of his musical talents. It wasn't until many years later that l found out.... .. from my Dad!