Martin Francis Gough
RIP 26th December 2016
Photograph courtesy of Jon Penn
09/01/17 - Very sad to advise you that
Martin Gough passed away on December 26th in Torquay, He was 77 and had moved
there about 20 years ago. He had played double bass with the Severnside Jazz
Band in Shrewsbury frrom at least 1973 when I joined it and I believe earlier on
had played with Dan Pawson in the Midlands.
After moving south he
played occasionally with local bands and I met him in 2003 in Bude when he was
with Father Mike's Chosen Six and also in 2005 when he attended with his wife
Freda as a visitor.
He had a triple heart
bypass operation in Shrewsbury about 20 years ago which I think prompted the
move South. He died shortly after being admitted to hospital just before
Christmas.
I shall always
remember him a strong rhythmic bass player who could be relied on to keep a very
steady beat and drove the band with his slap bass style.
He was always
immaculatly turned out with never a hair out of place, just like the Jazz
World's Ernie Wise, and as I often told him you could never see the join!!
Jon Penn
10/01/17 -
It was with very much sadness and shock that I have just
learnt by reading Jon Penns email that Martin Gough had passed away on Boxing
Day.
It is some months since I saw Martin though we had spoken on the phone. I first
met Martin while playing in Ray Hayes' 'Roaring Twenties' band at Chester in the
eighties. He subsequently played for my band Delta Jazz there while also being
resident bassist with the Severnside band. Martin was a drummers' bassist as his
timing and drive was rock steady. He was a kind and gentle man and always
dapper.
I have very much to be grateful for in knowing Martin & his wife Freda as he
was, forgive the pun, 'instrumental' in introducing me to the south-west jazz
scene when we moved to Cornwall 10 years ago. He was often to be seen playing
with various bands at the renowned '51 Club' venue at the Smugglers Inn, near
Hayle and around the region, he also regularly played for my band down here on a
number of occasions. He was always willing to turn out to play, distance being
no object, though in recent times Martin was more active in trio work much
closer to his Torquay home.
Our condolences and deep sympathy to Freda and all his family as Martins' charm,
presence, reliability and stable playing will be much missed both up country and
in the south west.
Alan Davies
Cornwall
