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Ted Watton RIP April 2022
05/05/22 -
Ann Lord (Eagley Jazz Club) 05/05/22 - I had a call from Debra, Ted Watton's daughter this morning to say that, sadly, Ted passed away yesterday and she asked me to forward the news to you. Ted was a stalwart of the jazz scene and as a long serving committee member at Eagley Jazz Club was known to many musicians and fans alike. Tremendously knowledgeable about jazz and an absolute gentleman he was well liked and respected by everyone who knew him. Further than that he was a superb musician in his own right and I had the privilege of playing with him for many years as members of the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers. He was the first musical colleague with whom I established that instinctive rapport that allowed us to have great fun improvising and weaving our variations together and he became a good and valued friend. Later, when the Dixie Beats formed, he became something of a mentor to us - endlessly supportive and encouraging and absolutely delighted to meet new, talented young players like Alex Clarke, Michael Grant and Ian Wynne. My thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his family, for whom he had immense love, and he will be remembered for his devotion to his friends, his enthusiasm for the music and, of course his irresistible likeability and humour. You will always be a Dixie Beat, my friend - sorry you never got to hear us with a decent trumpeter. I will miss you. - John Percival 10/05/22 - I am very sorry to hear about Ted passing on. I had played with the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers on a small number of occasions some years back when they needed a Dep. Ted was
always at the end of the phone if you needed to Chat and looked
after our Bookings for Deco Delight when we appeared at the Eagley. The following are tributes sent to Eagley Jazz Club TRIBUTES
TO TED WATTON: Reg Kingston, Eagley Jazz Club Committee Ted was our longest-standing committee member, a talented musician with an amazing knowledge of Jazz music, the UK's Jazz bands, and the musicians. It is Ted's contribution that has made Eagley Jazz Club the success it is today! The high-quality bands appearing at our club are all down to Ted's expertise and knowledge as until recently, it was Ted's job to choose and book the bands. As his health declined, he remained a committee member, taking on a consultative role, where his expertise was invaluable. Ted was an incredibly nice man, I loved to chat with him about the old days and was delighted to discover that my dad was the wages clerk who paid the apprentices, Ted being one of them, at Jackson and Brothers, where Ted did his engineering apprentice training. No doubt, he's now entertaining the angels with his superb musicianship and cheeky grin! Rest in Peace good friend, you are dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Ted's family at this sad time. Ann Lord, Eagley Jazz Club Committee I knew Ted and Mavis from being 20 years old (I'm now 84!). We played football and visited many Jazz clubs. Ted was known as a good man and would help anyone who needed it and was well liked by everyone. Rob Kaneen, Eagley Jazz Club Committee As relative newcomers we have enjoyed seeing 'the regulars' both from the Committee and in the audience and learning who people are and their connection to the Club. He will be sadly missed by members who have known him for many years. Jean and Malcolm Smith, Eagley Jazz Club Committee/Member One of nature's gentlemen! Bernard Yarrow, Eagley Jazz Club member I was so
sorry to hear about Ted - What a lovely guy with a very wide taste
and knowledge of many styles of Jazz. He was very encouraging to me
over many years for which I'll always be grateful. I think the best
way to remember him is as a true, gentle & thoughtful man of Jazz.
I was sorry to learn of Ted’s death. Please accept my condolences and pass them on to his family. I’ve had many enjoyable times playing at old and present Eagley venues with various bands. Ted and several others of you deserve congratulations for operating an excellent Jazz club for many years. John Muskett, Jazz Musician A true gentleman who will be sadly missed. Jenny McCrindle, EJC member Very sad news indeed. A lovely man who Janet and I have known since the early days of the jazz club. He will be sadly missed. Gerry Russell and Janet King, Eagley Jazz Club members What sad news. Please pass my condolences to his family. Pat Taylor, Eagley Jazz Club member We were so sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. He was always there at the Monday gatherings. Please pass our condolences to his family. Carol Knowles and Kath Readett, EJC members Sorry to hear the sad news about Ted. He always had a smile for everybody, he'll be sadly missed. Please give the family our regards. John & Bess Hartley, EJC members So sorry to hear about Ted. It was always a pleasure to deal with him. Please give my condolences together with all of the members of the Harlem Hot Stompers to his family. Fond memories. Ian McCann, Harlem Hot Stompers Ted was a stalwart of the jazz scene and as a long serving committee member at Eagley Jazz Club was known to many musicians and fans alike. Tremendously knowledgeable about jazz and an absolute gentleman he was well liked and respected by everyone who knew him. Further than that he was a superb musician in his own right and I had the privilege of playing with him for many years as members of the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers. He was the first musical colleague with whom I established that instinctive rapport that allowed us to have great fun improvising and weaving our variations together and he became a good and valued friend. Later, when the Dixie Beats formed, he became something of a mentor to us - endlessly supportive and encouraging and absolutely delighted to meet new, talented young players like Alex Clarke, Michael Grant and Ian Wynne. My thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his family, for whom he had immense love, and he will be remembered for his devotion to his friends, his enthusiasm for the music and, of course his irresistible likeability and humour. You will always be a Dixie Beat, my friend - sorry you never got to hear us with a decent trumpeter. I will miss you. John Percival, Dixiebeats To all at
Eagley Jazz club. Dave Pogson, Spirit of New Orleans Sad news,
I spoke to Ted many times over many years. Very
sorry indeed to read your sad news about Ted. We are down in Surry
on Friday and will play a number in his memory. On behalf of all who have ever played with The Wabash Jazzmen I'd like to express how very sad we have been to hear the news of Ted's passing. In all my years of organising bookings with Ted, he was a true gentleman and the loveliest, sincere fella to chat with. He always made me feel how much the band are appreciated at Dunscar and was clearly a keen listener. I know over the last year his health has been declining but he always remained upbeat and positive in our conversations and always appeared to look forward to the next session. Ted will be truly missed at the club and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Rest in peace, Ted. Martin Challinor and the Wabash Jazzmen Sorry to
hear that, Ted was a really nice chap. Lovely
man, he also played my favourite instrument. I sent him 2 clarinet
CDs during Covid to cheer him up. Please
send our best wishes to Ted's family. So sorry that he had died,
certainly a shock. Very
sorry to hear of Ted's passing. He was a club legend. Thank
you, Ted, for all the bands you have booked over the years, that
have given us so much pleasure. To a
wonderful friend who will be so sadly missed by so many. It's been a
great pleasure to have met a lovely man! Known Ted
and Mavis for many years, learning Spanish prior to Ted encouraging
us to attend Eagley Jazz Cub. Lovely man! Ted will be very sorely missed. His knowledge of the bands meant that we had great music at the club. Rest in Peace, Ted. Amie Palmer, EJC member I am very
sorry to hear about Ted passing on. I had played with the Bourbon
Street Roof Raisers on a small number of occasions some years back
when they needed a Dep. Ted was always at the end of the phone if
you needed to Chat and looked after our Bookings for Deco Delight
when we appeared at the Eagley. A true gentleman R.I.P. Ted. Such a
wonderful gentleman. Always had time for everyone and when you were
in his company it was always a pleasure. An
absolute gentleman. Always a pleasure to be around and I am very
honoured to have shared the stage with him on numerous occasions
over the years. Thankyou Ted, you will be missed by us all. Rest
easy kind Sir.x A true gentleman, rest in peace xx Rosie Harrison, Deco Delight Lovely guy. God bless. Anita Forth, EJC member I have
known Ted over a number of years & loved our little chats ( jazz of
course!) on meeting. He was a lovely gentleman in many ways & his
choice of bands were great. I shall miss him sat on his high stool
listening & observing the bands. R.I.P. Ted. Love & Friendship.
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It is with a very
heavy heart that, on behalf of the committee, I write to inform you
that yesterday, we lost a much-loved member of our committee, Ted Watton. Ted was our longest-standing committee member, a talented
musician, and had an amazing knowledge of the UK's Jazz bands and
musicians. The high quality of bands appearing at our club is all
down to Ted's expertise and knowledge as until recently, it was
Ted's job to choose and book the bands. As his health declined, he
remained a committee member, taking on a consultative role, where
his expertise was invaluable. We are awaiting further details from
the family regarding the funeral arrangements and will pass these on
to you. Our thoughts are with Ted's family at this sad time. -