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| Ian Hamer... |
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Ian Hamer, trumpeter, composer and bandleader was born in Liverpool, on September 11th, 1932. He featured on many of Tubby Hayes's albums and his achievements paralleled those of another of Hayes's trumpet associates, Jimmy Deuchar. Hamer and Deuchar were both, like Hayes, masterful composers and arrangers. It is difficult to understand why Hamer didn't get the acclaim that he deserved so well, for he was an imaginative writer and a trumpet soloist of great muscle, respected by giants like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Apart from his jazz vocation, Hamer was a master craftsman, at the top of his career in demand to play with the most eminent performers of popular music. He played on the Beatles' "Got to Get You into My Life" session and backed Bing Crosby, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand, James Last and Matt Munro amongst many others. His jazz pedigree was equally impressive, including, as well as Kenny Wheeler and Tubby Hayes, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, Mike Gibbs, Stan Tracey, Benny Golson, Lalo Schifrin, Gary McFarland, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. He began his musical career at the Grafton Ballroom in Liverpool in the band run by his mother, Mary Daly Hamer, and known as Mrs Wilf Hamer's Band. |
After National Service in the RAF he first joined Carl Barriteau's band and then, in 1954, Oscar Rabin. After that he was a jazz soloist in the Vic Lewis big band and in the group led by Ivor and Basil Kirchin. He was with Tubby Hayes from 1955 to 1956, beginning a close association that was to last until Hayes's death in 1973. The Sixties saw him with Eric Delaney, Jack Parnell, John Dankworth, Harry South, Joe Harriott, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Gibbs, Woody Herman's Anglo-American Herd, Barbara Thompson, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band and Ted Heath. Hamer was most proud of his sextet, which played during the Sixties and Seventies and featured variously Tubby Hayes, Dick Morrissey, Alan Skidmore and Harry South playing mostly from Hamer's compositions. A double album, Acropolis, recorded by the original sextets, appeared for the first time in 2006. Hamer was amused to make his record d�but as a leader at the age of 73. He died in Brighton on September 3rd, 2006. |
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Vic Lewis and his Orchestra - February 2nd, 1955 (Philips) Dave Loban, Gordon Sardella, Ian Hamer, Carl Shafto (tp), John Watson, Alec Gould, Kevin Neal, Ken Goldie (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain, Roy East (as), Art Ellefson, Howard Morgan (ts), Brian Rodgerson (bs), Red Mitchell (p), Ken Williams (b), Andy White (d), Vic Lewis (dir). The Ash Grove/Strawberry Fair/Walk Don't Run/Scramble. The Ivor and Basil Kirchin Band - August 30th, 1955 (Parlophone R4071) Trevor Lanigan, Frank Donlan, Ian Hamer, George Bradley (tp), Brian Hayden (as), Alan Rowe, Harry Perry (ts), George Robinson (bs), Johnny Patrick (p), Ashley Kozak (b), Basil Kirchin (d), Johnny Grant (vcl), Ivor Kirchin (dir). Trumpet Blues And Cantabile (unissued)/Gotta Be This or That*/The Great Lie*. (*Vocalion CD - The Kirchin Band - Gotta Be This Or That) Tubby Hayes And His Orchestra - January 4th, 1956 (BBC) Ian Hamer, Dickie Hawdon (tp), Mike Senn (cl,as,bs) Tubby Hayes (ts), Jack Sharpe (bs), Harry South (p), Pete Blannin (b), Bill Eyden (d). He's A Tramp*/Sophisticated Lady*/The Yellow Rose Of Texas* (TH with p,b,d only)/Almost Like Being In Love*/Ain't It The Truth*. (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) Tubby Hayes And His Orchestra - February 18th, 1956 (Tempo - (1)TAP2 - (2)EXA36) Tubby Hayes (ts), Mike Senn (as), Jackie Sharpe (bs), Ian Hamer, Dickie Hawdon (tp), Harry South (p), Pete Blannin (b), Bill Eyden (d). Orient Line(1)*^/Plymouth Rock(1)(2)*/Room 608(1)*"/Sophisticated Lady(1)*/I'll Remember April(2)*/Doggin' Around(2)*/Mambo Tittoro(1)(2)*. ("Jasmine CD - Tubby Hayes - Blue Hayes, The Tempo Anthology) (*Jasmine CD - British Modern Jazz Scene - 1956) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) (*Acrobat 6CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Complete Tempo Recordings 1955-59) (^Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Tubby Hayes Vol.2 - Five Classic Albums plus bonus eps and tracks) Vic Ash Sextet - September, 1958 (All the Winners - Nixa NJT518) (JM0559) Ian Hamer (tp), Johnny Scott (fl), Vic Ash (cl), Alan Branscombe (p), Spike Heatley (b), Dave Pearson (d). Just For The Boys*. (Other titles on this LP by others). (*Vocalion CD - Jazz Today - Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Harry Klein and others) Tubby Hayes Octet - December 21st, 1958 (recorded at the Flamingo Club, London) Stu Hamer, Les Condon, Dickie Hawdon(1) (tp), Ken Wray (tb)(3), Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes (ts), Ronnie Scott (ts,bs), Jackie Sharpe (bs)(2), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Bill Eyden (d) . Stompin At the Savoy/But Not for Me/Ow!(1)/Autumn In New York/Treble Gold/Lifeline/Sonny Sounds*(2)/Tour De Force(3)/Design For Drums. (Rhythn n' Blues CD - Tubby Hayes Live at The Flamingo) (*Acrobat 3CD set - Tubby Hayes - Without A Song (Rare Live recordings 1954-73) The Vic Ash Quintet - November 18th, 1959 (BBC Transcription) Vic Ash (ts,cl), Ian Hamer (tp), Harry South (p), Spike Heatley (b), Dave Pearson (d). It Could Happen To You*/Doxy*/Cobwebs*/Phone Bill*. (*Acrobat CD - Vic Ash The Quintet & Jazz Five - Studio and Live Recordings 1959 - 1961) (*Vocalion CD - BBC Rare transcription recordings (1959) Volume One) Harry South Orchestra - BBC broadcast November 10th, 1960 Jimmy Deuchar, Derrick Abbott, Ian Hamer, Bert Courtley (tp), Keith Christie, Lad Busby, Ken Wray, Ray Premru (tb), Alan Branscombe, Joe Harriott (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Ronnie Ross (bs),Terry Shannon (p) Harry South (p,dir), Phil Bates (b), Jackie Dougan (d). Sophisticated Lady*/The Goblin*. (*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes, England's Late Jazz Great) Jimmy Deuchar Plus Ten - BBC "Jazz Club" broadcast February 16th, 1961 Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Ronnie Ross (as,bs), Tubby Hayes (ts,f,vib), Ronnie Scott (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Kenny Napper (b), Bobby Orr (d). Heather Mist*/Sumphin'*/Stablemates*/First Eleven*/Stella By Starlight*. (*Acrobat 2 CD set - Tubby Hayes: New Edition - Rare Radio Recordings 1958-62) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - April 20th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana TL5221) Jimmy Deuchar (tp,mel), Ian Hamer, Bert Courtley (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Jackie Sharpe (bs,cl), Alan Branscombe (as,bs, b-cl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib,timp), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts,cl), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d). In The Night*/The Scandinavian*/Pedro's Walk*/Raga*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - Tubbs Tours) April 20th, 1964 (Tubb's Tours - Fontana TL5221) Les Condon (tp), Ronnie Ross (as,bs,b-cl) replace Bert Courtley and Alan Branscombe. Israel Nights*/Russian Roulette*/Parisian Thoroughfare*/The Killers Of W.1*/Sasa-hivi*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - Tubbs Tours) Tubby Hayes Big Band - probably January 31st, 1965 (BBC TV-Cast live from the Marquee Club, London *IAJRC50) Jimmy Deuchar, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Ken Wray (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Peter King, Bobby Wellins (ts), Ronnie Ross, Jackie Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Freddie Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d). Parisian Thoroughfare*/Young And Foolish*. (*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great) Harry South Big Band - January 25th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Albert Hall (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Rik Kennedy, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Bill Geldard (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Pete King (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), HarrySouth (ldr). Costa Fortuna/Last Orders/Afterthought/Alone Together. Harry South Big Band - January 26th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Greg Bowen (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Gibb Wallace (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Bob Efford (ts,fl), Harry Klein (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), HarrySouth (ldr). Six To One Bar/Lush Life/There And Back/North Of The Soho Border. Stan Tracey Big Band - March 8th/9th, 1966 (Alice in Jazzland - Columbia SX6051, SXC6051) Kenny Baker, Eddie Blair, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Wally Smith, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Baker (as,cl), Alan Branscombe (as), Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Afro-Charlie Meets The White Rabbit*/Portrait Of A Queen*/Alice In Jazzland*/Fantasies In Bloom*/Teatime Gavotte*. (*Resteamed CD - Alice in Jazzland) Stan Tracey Big Band - March 23rd, 1966 (Alice in Jazzland - Columbia SX6051, SXC6051) Kenny Baker, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Wally Smith, Chris Smith (tb), Ronnie Baker (as,cl), Alan Branscombe (as), Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). (Wellins was not present on three other titles recorded on March 23rd) Murdering The Time*/Summer Hallucinations* (no tp,tb)/Pig And Pepper* (Ronnie Scott, Stan Tracey, Jeff Clyne, Ronnie Stephenson only). (*Resteamed CD - Alice in Jazzland) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - May 10th and 12th, 1966 (100% Proof - Fontana TL5410) Kenny Baker, Ian Hamer, Greg Bowen, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, Nat Peck, Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith (tb), Roy Willox, Ray Warleigh (as,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts,fl), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl,vib), Bob Efford (ts,oboe,fl,b-cl), Ronnie Ross (bs,b-cl), Gordon Beck (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Ronnie Stephenson (d). Night In Tunisia*/Milestones*/Sonnymoon For Two*/Bluesology*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - May 13th, 1966 (100% proof - Fontana TL5410) Personnel as May 10th, 1966 except Harry Klein (bs) and Johnny Butts (d) replace Ronnie Ross and Ronnie Stephenson. Nutty*/100% Proof*. (*Impressed Repressed CD - 100% Proof) Kenny Clare / Ronnie Stephenson Big Band - July 7th, 1966 (Drum spectacular - Columbia TWO146) Greg Bowen, Bert Ezzard, Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, John Edwards, Nat Peck (tb), Douggie Robinson, Ray Warleigh (as), Tony Coe, Tubby Hayes (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Alan Branscombe (p), Lennie Bush (b), Kenny Clare, Ronnie Stephenson (d). Drum Boogie*/Just You, Just Me*/Big Noise From Winnetka*/South Rampart Street Parade*. (*Vocalion CD - Big Band Spectacular / Drum Spectacular) Ian Hamer Sextet - Believed to have been recorded 1966 Ian Hamer (tp,fl-horn), Keith Christie (tb), Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Kenny Napper (b), Bill Eyden (d). What's Her Name?*/Cambridge Crescent*/Tobago*/Corpus*/Chow Mien*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) Ian Hamer Sextet - December 3rd, 1967 Ian Hamer (tp,fl-horn), Keith Christie (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts), probably Harry South (p), probably Kenny Napper (b), probably Bill Eyden (d). Freakin' Out*/Conversations At Dawn*/Corpus*/Cambridge Crescent*/Tobago*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) Acker Bilk and the Stan Tracey Big Brass - January, 1968 (Blue Acker - Columbia TWO230) Kenny Wheeler, Ian Hamer, Derek Watkins, Eddie Blair, Les Condon (tp), Ian Carr (flh), Keith Christie, Don Lusher, Chris Pyne, Bobby Lamb, Chris Smith (tb), Acker Bilk (cl), Joe Harriott (as), Don Rendell (ts,sop), Tony Coe (ts), Stan Tracey (p,arr), Dave Green, Lennie Bush (b), Barry Morgan (d,perc). Royal Garden Blues/Stranger On The Shore/Festival Junction/Blues For Last Year/Tin Roof Blues/Baby Blues/blues For This Year/Mood Indigo. The Tubby Hayes Big Band - Live at The Torrington Arms, London, May 8th, 1969 (Rumpus - Savage Solweig SS003) Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). Song For A Sad Lady*/Dear Johnny B*/March Brown*/Rumpus*/You Know I Care*/Seven Steps To Heaven*/The Inner Splurge*. ("Savage Solweig CD - The Tubby Hayes Big Band - Rumpus) Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - July 25th, 1969 (BBC broadcast) Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), David Horler, Bill Geldard, Chris Pyne (tb), Peter King, Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). The Inner Splurge*. Jeff Clyne (b), Tony Levin (d) added, rest the same. 200 Percent Proof*. Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Kenny Wheeler (flhorn), David Horler (tb), Peter King (as), Alan Branscombe (p), Louis Stewart (g), Jeff Clyne (b), Spike Wells (d), Tubby Hayes (ldr). Octuple Blast*. (*Master Mix CD - 200% Proof) Tubby Hayes Big Band - BBC broadcast live from Ronnie Scott's, London August 24th, 1969 (IAJRC50) Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith, Alan Skidmore (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). A Song For A Sad Lady*/You Know I Care*. (*IAJRC CD -Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great) Ian Hamer Sextet - July 2nd, 1972 Ian Hamer (tp,fl-horn), Keith Christie (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Alan Branscombe (p), Daryl Runswick (b), Spike Wells (d). Greenwells Glory*/Challoners Wood*/Sienna Red*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) Kenny Wheeler Orchestra - January 10th and 11th, 1973 (Song for someone - Incus 10> Personnel includes: Kenny Wheeler (flhrn,tp), Ian Hamer, Dave Hancock, Greg Bowen (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bobby Lamb, Chris Pyne (tb), Jim Wilson, Malcolm Griffiths (b-tb), Alfie Reece (tu), Mike Osborne (as), Duncan Lamont (ts,f), Evan Parker (ts,sop), Alan Branscombe (p,el-p), John Taylor (el-p), Derek Bailey (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Tony Oxley (perc), Norma Winstone (vcl - 1). Toot-toot*/Ballad For Two(1)*/Song For Someone(1)*/Causes And Events*/The Good Doctor*/Nothing Changes(1)*. (*PSI CD - Song for someone) Ian Hamer Sextet - March 26th, 1973 Ian Hamer (tp,fl-horn), Keith Christie (tb), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Alan Branscombe (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). Mayday*/Challoners Wood*/Acropolis*/Hamer-Philia*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) Ian Hamer Sextet - unknown date, 1974 Ian Hamer (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Alan Skidmore (ts), Alan Branscombe (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d). This Is For Albert*/Daffodils Are Yellow*/Greenwell's Glory*/Mini Minor*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) Georgie Fame/Annie Ross & Hoagy Carmichael - cJune, 1981 (In Hoagland - Bald Eagle BELP181) Ian Hamer (tp), Chris Pyne (tb), Peter King (as), Dick Morrissey (ts,fl), Geoff Castle (keyb), Martin Kershaw (g), Daryl Runswick, Jim Richardson (b), Barry Morgan (d), Georgie Fame, Annie Ross, Hoagy Carmichael (vcl). The Old Music Master/Hong Kong Blues/Georgia On My Mind/One Morning In May/My Resistance Is Low/I Get Along Without You Very Well/Rockin' Chair/Drip Drop/Stardust/Up A Lazy River/Small Fry/Two Sleepy People/Hoagy's Help/Hoagland. |
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