Maurice Pike
Died April 12th 2014

Maurice made an early entrance into music by playing snare drum with his local Boys’ Brigade Band but it was some time later (aged 17) that he got into conversation with Humphrey Lyttelton at a jazz club who encouraged him to go out and buy a trumpet - an old Selmer Invicta. Lessons from Fred Kelly, of the Northern Dance Orchestra, followed but he relied very much on an excellent memory rather than the “dots” and there came a parting of the ways. Hence, he was mainly self taught. A couple of years later there were many bands about - part of the so-called “Trad Boom” - so Maurice joined a student band over in Sheffield. This soon folded: he and a colleague set up their own band - the Panama Jazz Band - in March, 1953 which has been in existence ever since! Maurice trained as a textile designer but the down-turn in the industry led to a move into a clerical position in engineering, allowing him to spend his leisure time playing with and organising his band. Ever resourceful, as the Beatles era ousted that of the traditional jazz revival, he moved into the Working Men’s Club circuit and kept the band in the public eye. Nearly half a century after his meeting with “Humph” Maurice still retains a remarkable enthusiasm for the music which is readily apparent from both his trumpet playing and his vocals. The members of the Pendle Jazzmen warmly welcome him this evening. - Colin

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