Malcolm Hall - Bass Player Plus 

Malcolm Hall died died in St John's Hospice, Lancaster, on Tues 20th May 2008 
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An article on bass player Malcolm Hall, written by Sue Parish,
and reproduced by kind permission of the Lancaster Guardian

Malcolm Hall is known to most local music lovers as a swinging jazz bass player. His energy and enthusiasm underpins the Bob Moffatt quartet and the New Riverside Jazz Band. But Mal worked his way through a whole range of other instruments until he found the one that was to be his lifelong companion. 

Piano lessons while a youngster, plus a brief spell as a third violinist in the grammar school orchestra developed Mal's interest in music. He left school and bought a clarinet, then moved swiftly onto the tenor sax, which earned him a place in the Priory Hall Youth Club Jazz Band. His move into jazz was partly inspired by hearing renowned bass sax player Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight, and the Northern Dance Orchestra led by Alyn Ainsworth: "the first time I heard them it changed my complete approach to music" he recalls.

Although pretty much self-taught, Mal also had some jazz harmony lessons with local big band leader Jan Brzezinka. And at eighteen, by now thoroughly hooked on music, he decided to join the army as a bandsman. He spent three years, mostly in Germany, including numerous tours with the 35 piece army band.

It was when he returned to the UK in the early 1960s that his musical direction took another twist, and he decided to try a larger instrument - the double bass. "I just thought 'I'd like a bass'" he says. "So I went and bought one - second hand, from a house in Preston. We brought it back on the train and the bus!"

Once back in Lancaster in the 60s, Mal got drawn into the lively Monday night jazz sessions at the city's Moorlands Hotel, which he remembers with great affection. "That was where it all started happening. It was no good for the non-smokers - you practically had to cut your way through with a knife! But with the room dark and smoky and the jazz playing it was a fantastic atmosphere."

Mal also joined in sessions in Morecambe - the Tivoli, the Dog and Partridge and the Chieftan also had jam nights for jazz musicians. In great demand for his bass playing, he gradually played the sax less and less. With characteristic modesty, he ascribes his musical popularity to his amplifying equipment rather than his considerable talent: " I had a Vox AC30 amp - like the Beatles had, which was a pretty upmarket box in those days." he says. 

It was at this time that Mal joined up with Lancaster piano player Bob Moffat, a lively and mutually supportive pairing which has lasted to the present day. "It all revolved around Moff" he says. "No one else could swing like that. 

Mal also, believe it or not, added yet another instrument to his repertoire - one which made the even the double bass look highly portable - the vibraphone. He and Moff played for dances and parties - with Mal alternating between piano, and vibes and Moff switching between piano, and piano accordion depending on what was required.

As well as jam sessions, Morecambe provided other opportunities for gigging. Mal played at the Alhambra Theatre (later rebuilt after a fire as the Carleton Inn), and at local holiday camps. Another live music venue was the Beach Club at Heysham Head. Any money Mal earned from these gigs was carefully saved up, enabling him to fulfil his dream of attending Lancaster University. 

From 1985 to 1995 Mal also notched up ten years as the resident organist for the Melbourne Club. Like many of the other musicians featured in this series, his musical life has almost always run in parallel with full-time jobs or education - shop work, delivery work, and studying for his chemistry degree. And as far as making it to the top is concerned he does so regularly - getting to the top of local hills as a keen member of Morecambe H.F. Rambling club! 

But it's the music that matters. When asked why, his response is simple and to the point: "Can you think of anything better to do?" 

When asked what's the most important thing about jazz, he is equally succinct. "It doesn't matter what happens as long as it swings". And for his dream gig, he'd transport Lancaster's jazz magic to the U.S.A. - "I'd like to play Carnegie Hall with Bob Moffatt."

Sue Parish   

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