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JACK McNAMARA WHO WROTE IN EQUAL MEASURE ON RUGBY AND JAZZ HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 87
Although Jack's
death was reported in the Manchester Evening News on 4th
December 2014, by Neil Barker, had it not been for Chris
Lee, ex-Jazz columnist with the Manchester Evening News
(1980s-90s), and the appearance of his report in
jazznorthwest.co.uk , we might have missed
the tragic news about Jack McNamara! He has died aged
87. Jack, often known as "Jack Mac", was an old friend
to a great many of us local Jazzers; mostly because,
although he was mainly a Rugby critic, the depth of his
knowledge of Jazz was second to none.
Most of us local
musos knew Jack well, once he got involved on the Jazz
side of the Manchester Evening News. He put himself
about with great vigour and sometimes wrote massive
columns on local Jazz. I think he either filled in
temporarily, or took over around 1971 or '72, after the
late Alan Stevens ("Jack Florin", of "Jazz Roundabout",
"Solo Spot", and Radio Manchester fame) retired from his
freelance work with the MEN and eventually emigrated
with his family to the Isle-of-Man around 1974. Alan was
still freelancing occasionally for the MEN in 1974,
though, because he covered my first 'flute marathon' at
the Warren Bulkeley, Stockport, eventually reported in
the GBR for 1975. At one time, another great columnist,
Tony Holt, was in charge of the Jazz column, notably
between 1976 and '77. For another period of indecision
regarding the running of the column, perhaps before Tony
Holt, John Robert-Blunn, mainly a general Music critic,
but also an ardent Jazz, fan took over. Then, it became
Chris Lee's turn, through to the 1990s. Jack's reporting
of Jazz was unbelievably "on the button" from the moment
he stepped in.
Jack was,
however, most definitely a Sports Reporter on Rugby
League, with the MEN since the mid-1950s when he came
from New Zealand and settled in Alkrington, Middleton,
later becoming a Jazz critic, replacing the great Alan
Stevens. He straddled the Jazz and Sports desks
simultaneously largely in the 1970s. He was equally
hyper-proficient regarding his Jazz reporting. He didn't
just take up a post in order to fill in; he was already
an expert critic of Jazz and, like our other old mate,
the late Peter Wheeler, of the BBC and Granada, etc.,
Jack soon got to know every performer on the Jazz scene
by name, and built up databases about almost all of us,
as Alan Stevens used to do. Jack was methodical in his
records of performers, accurate to a fault. and just as
passionate about Jazz and its many interpretations, as
he was about Rugby League, its players, members and
management.
A very popular,
jovial man, who paid attention to one's every word, Jack
made as many friends on the Jazz scene as he did on the
terraces of the Greater Manchester sports venues. There
was a strange juxtaposition here, too; many Jazz bands
(mainly Traditional) played at all types of sports
supporters' clubs. So there was, for several decades, an
affinity for Jazz at the sports clubs. It was part of
the general ethos in Rugby clubs, in particular, from
the mid-late 50s to at least the 90s. The De La Salle,
for instance, is still operating in Salford - Jack's
regular stomping ground for Rugby. As Jack was in the
Manchester area since the mid-50s, it is possible that
he acquired a taste for Jazz during his first years in
the area, at some Rugby venue. Whether or not that is an
accurate guess, he certainly knew his Jazz and its more
worldwide exponents. When he wrote about the mainly
American "Giants" of Jazz, he always did so to the
highest possible degree of professional journalism
whereby their dignity would always be preserved in full.
His sense of respect for all performers was without
equal.
Knowing that I
dabble in a few languages, Jack once greeted me in his
native Kiwi patois 'Mauri', at the Victoria Hotel,
Hardman St., behind the MEN, where I was playing in the
Manchester branch of the Old Fashioned Love Band (1972).
He said "Tenna kweh pakkeha" at the beginning of the
evening. I had to wait until the very end of the session
to find out that it meant:
"Greetings white
man". He was one of the nicest people I have known in
any walk of life. But that's how Jack came over to
everyone who was honoured to have known him. His like
will never pass this way again; Jack was unique.
Hundreds of us
have lost a great friend and supporter. What a gap he
leaves! May I extend my condolences, through your
website Fred, on behalf of those of us who had the great
honour and privilege to know Jack personally through our
work, to Pam his widow, his daughter Ann and his son
Jackson, and his grandchildren, and to all of his other
friends in the world of Rugby.
According to an
obituary in the Manchester Evening News by Neil Barker,
dated 4th December 2014, the funeral is likely to take
place in the New Year. To be advised. Although Jack had
retired in 1990, he was still working through the London
tabloids until at least 2010, when I last tried to get
in touch with him.
Rest In
Peace, Kiwi Jack, surrounded by the roar of Rugby "Hakkah"
and the soothing sounds of the Jazz, that you loved so
much.
Joe Silmon-Monerri
29/12/14 -
I’m an old pal of the late Jack McNamara....rugby league
department ! However, Jack went a long way to enhancing
my interest in Jazz. Jack’s daughter Ann who lives in
Toronto, has received a copy of Joe’s tribute to the the
Great Man. I attach details of Jack’s funeral
arrangements, of course your friends and colleagues
would be most welcome to say farewell to a very special
man. The service will be followed by a reception at the Old Boars Head, Long Street, Middleton, M24 6UE. All welcome but, to assist with catering arrangements, could you please email Jack's daughter Ann at ann@wright-stuff.com if you plan to attend. No flowers by request but donations can be made to the Willow Wood Hospice, Willow Wood Close, Mellor Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6SL.
One of Jack’s favourite sayings was “ keep writing that
good stuff, I enjoy reading it “
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