|
| Jo Hunter discography... |
|
Born in 1926 Jo Hunter moved with his actor parents to the USA in 1935 and studied at American schools and two military academies where he began studying the French horn before switching to trumpet. He returned to Britain in 1943 and attended the Royal College of Music before joining the British Army in Germany. When he left the Army in 1950 he joined the Kenny Graham Afro Cubists, a band he worked with on and off until 1957. Brian Davis, the jazz writer said of him: Jo, the introvert and painfully shy son of actor Ian Hunter was a natural. Playing for only eighteen months when Kenny heard him, he was soon turning everybody round within weeks of joining the Afro-Cubists in spite of such heavyweight competition from Hank Shaw, Leon Calvert and later Jimmy Deuchar. Although not strong on tone his ideas revealed an endless flow of invention, in fact Kenny reckoned that Jo never played the same thing twice no matter how often a piece was played....A legend of British bop....After leaving the Afro-Cubists in 1950 he worked briefly with the dance band of Roy Fox before joining the exciting big band of Jack Parnell where he stayed until late1956 when he replaced Jimmy Deuchar in the dance band of Oscar Rabin. After 1959 he moved to Brighton and worked with local bands. He was active freelance on both trumpet and piano, including work on a cruise liner, he also played harmonica in later years. His neat, intelligent jazz trumpet playing is heard to good effect on many Kenny Graham records and briefly on a classic album recorded in 1954 entitled 'Music in the making'. This features the cream of modern British jazz talent of the time. His recording dates with Jack Parnell are listed but he does not solo on these records... Jo died on 14th August, 2016 at the age of 89...(see e-mails page no 158 e-mails) Kenny Graham | |
|
(In September 2009, Brian Lewis from Brighton reported :"I have seen and heard Jo Hunter playing in a street band in Brighton... I was looking at this bent old man, head bowed with trumpet at the ready and thought "blimey he's knocking on a bit"... then he put the trumpet to his lips and played ... "Stardust"...WOW... he blew us all away - he would not accept a tenner from the boys in the band... but shuffled away to his home... I will never forget it...") (In February 2010, Paul Sharpe had a further update: "Jo is still to be heard occasionally jamming at the Bee's Mouth in Brighton on a Monday night. He prefers slow ballads. When he starts to play numbers like I'll Remember April ,Out of Nowhere or Stella by Starlight, it's great to watch the effect he has on the noisy crowd, which suddenly goes silent and hangs on every note. His inventiveness and phrasing are superb...") (In January 2011 Tony Middleton attended the Jack Parnell memorial where a specially assembled band played and Tony was amazed to see Afro-Cubist "old boy" Jo Hunter sitting in the trumpet section!) From Chris Saunders Thought you may be interested to know Jo Hunter can be seen playing on youtube with Brighton Jazz. a link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj3q5HdVT9M&feature=related From Peter Woodman May 30th, 2013 Just listened to Jo Hunter playing at "The Bristol in Brighton". A lovely sound with fellow musicians on tenor saxophone, guitar and double bass. Hope to hear more from him, | |
|
Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - February 10th, 1951 (Esquire) Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham (ts), Jack Honeybourne (p), Roy Plummer (g), Cliff Ball (b), Dickie Devere (d) + maracas, conga and bongo. Mango Walk*#/Pina Colada*. (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - June 4th, 1951 (Esquire) Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham (ts), Ralph Dollimore (p), Roy Plummer (g), Cliff Ball (b), Dickie Devere (d)+ maracas and conga Chloe*/Over The Rainbow*/Skylon*/Dome Of Discovery* (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - February 13th, 1952 (Esquire) Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham (ts), Ralph Dollimore (p), Roy Plummer (g), Stan Wasser (b), Don Lawson (d) + maracas, conga and bongo. Mike Fright/Pip Squeak/Kenny's Jig/Cuban Canon. (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - October 28th, 1952 (Parlophone PMD1053) Jimmy Deuchar, Albert Hall, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Ronnie Scott (ts), Pete King (ts,bs-cl), Harry Klein (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d). Catherine Wheel^#/The Champ^*/Summertime^. (*Giant Steps Records CD - Great Scott) (^Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Ronnie Scott "Boppin' With Scott") (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - January 1st, 1953 (Parlophone) Jimmy Deuchar, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Joe Temperley (ts), Pete King (ts,bs-cl), Harry Klein (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d). Waltzing The Blues*. (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - February 5th, 1953 (Esquire) Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham , Derek Humble, Joe Temperley, Bertie King (ts), Oscar Birch (bs), Ralph Dollimore (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d) + conga. I'll Remember April/Jump For Joe (two takes)/A Night In Tunisia (two takes)/Take The 'A' Train (three takes). (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - April 8th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053^) Jimmy Watson, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Jo Adams (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Allan Ganley (d). Night Train*/The Hawk Talks*^. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - April 29th, 1953 (Esquire 20-012) (JMC2) Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham, Norman Fantham, Eddie Mordue, Wally Moffatt (ts), Oscar Birch (bs), Ralph Dollimore (p), Joe Muddel (b), Phil Seamen (d) + maracas and conga. Afro-Kadabra (parts 1 and 2)/Flamingo/Keni B'sindika. (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - June 4th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053^) Jimmy Deuchar, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Jo Adams (bs), Max Harris (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d). Topaz*/Carioca*^. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) June 19th, 1953 (Parlophone PMD1053) Personnel as June 4th. Cotton Tail*/April In Paris*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Music Makers - October 1st, 1953 (Parlophone) Hank Shaw, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter (tp), Mac Minshull, Lad Busby (tb), Bob Burns (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Jack Fallon (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d). Dragnet*/Fuller Bounce#*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (#EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (#Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) On Esquire LP 20-023, (titled Caribbean Suite), the eight movements of Graham's 'Caribbean Suite' are linked together by Dennis Preston's narration, which was dubbed on later. Recording details as below: Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - October 23rd* and 27th, 1953 Jo Hunter (tp), Kenny Graham, Joe Temperley, Norman Fantham, Eddie Mordue (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Dill Jones (p), Roy Plummer (g)*, Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d), Judy johnson (voc), + maracas. Beguine*/Tempo Medio Lento*/Saga Boy*/Bongo Chant*#/Mango Walk*/Dance Of The Zombies*/Wha' Happin' Sah?*/Haitian Ritual#*. (#SWP Records CD - The Late, Great Phil Seamen) (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - December 12th, 1953 (Parlophone) Hank Shaw, Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis (tp), Mac Minshull, Bobby Lamb, Robin Kay (tb), Bob Burns, Jimmy Phillips (as), Joe Temperley, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Kenny Napper (b), Jack Parnell, Phil Seamen (d). The Creep/Route66*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) January 6th, 1954 (Parlophone PMD1053^) Add Jimmy Tobbett (tb), Dennis Hale (vocal), otherwise personnel as December 12th, 1953. Skin Deep*^/Devil's Eyes* (voc). (^Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Tony Hall's Hall-Stars - January, 1954 (Planet) Jo Hunter (tp), Joe Temperley (ts), Kenny Napper (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d). Hi-Ya Mr Jackson*#/Spaceship*. (*Jasmine CD - Boppin' Britain Vol 2) (#Giant Steps 2CD set - Soho After Dark 'London's '50s Modern Jazz Scene') 
Music In the Making - January 27th, 1954 (Vogue LDE051)This is an interesting LP that includes the following personnel: Jo Hunter, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Jimmy Skidmore, Ronnie Ross, Don Rendell (ts), Derek Smith, Ralph Dollimore, Dill Jones (p), Sammy Stokes, Johnny Hawksworth (b), Phil Seamen, Allan Ganley (d). Not all of the musicians play on every track. Full details. Jo Hunter, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Jimmy Skidmore, Don Rendell (ts), Ralph Dollimore (p), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Allan Ganley (d). Ice Fall* Jo Hunter, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Jimmy Skidmore, Don Rendell (ts), Derek Smith (p), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Phil Seamen (d). Straw Thatch* Jo Hunter (tp), Jimmy Skidmore, Don Rendell (ts), Dill Jones (p), Sammy Stokes (b), Phil Seamen (d). Presqe Cubain* (*Jasmine CD - Music In the Making) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra / Music Makers - February 25th, 1954 (Parlophone) Personnel as January 6th. Knock Out*^/Kick Off*^/Blowin' Wild* (voc). (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (^Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) June 10th, 1954 (Parlophone) Bob Burns out, Tubby Hayes (ts) replaces Joe Temperley. Sure Thing*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - cJuly, 1954 (Parlophone) Ronnie Simmonds, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis, Hank Shaw (tp), Bobby Lamb, Jimmy Tobbett, Mac Minshull (tb), Jimmy Phillips (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Keene (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Max Harris (p), Kenny Napper (b), Phil Seamen (d), Annie Ross, Dennis Hale (vocal). Annie's Blues (voc AR)/The Bandit (voc DH). Jack Parnell and his Orchestra - September 28th, 1954 (Parlophone) Ronnie Simmonds, Ronnie Hughes, Jo Hunter, Terry Lewis (tp), Ken Wray, Bobby Lamb, Jack Botterill (tb), Tubby Hayes, Jack Fisher, K Balanzwela, Freddie Syer, Don Honeywell (reeds), Norman Stenfalt (p), Kenny Napper (b), Kenny Clare (d). Trip To Mars^*/Sky Blue Shirt And Rainbow Tie*. (*Vocalion CD - Trip to Mars / Parnell On Parade) (*EMI Gold CD - Jack Parnell Big Band Swing) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) (*Avid CD - Jack Parnell: Two Classic Albums plus Two Eps) Kenny Graham's Afro Cubists - January 14th, 1957 (Presenting Kenny Graham - Nixa NJL12) (JM0258) Jo Hunter (tp), Jackie Armstrong, Laddie Busby, George Chisholm (tb), Kenny Graham (ts), Cliff Townsend (bs), Stan Tracey (p,vib), Sammy Stokes (b), Jack McHardie (cga). Cuban Fantasy*/Rockin' In Rhythm*/Monkey Business*/I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem*. (*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) (*Vocalion CD - Presenting Kenny Graham) (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) February 5th, 1957 (Nixa NJL12) (JM0258) Personnel as January 14th. Tuxedo Junction*/Swallowin' The Blues*/Don't Get Around Much Anymore*/Times A Wastin'*/Bongo Chant*. (*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) (*Vocalion CD - Presenting Kenny Graham) (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) Kenny Graham's Afro Cubists - February 25th, 1957 (Presenting Kenny Graham - Nixa NJL12) (JM0258) Jo Hunter (tp), Jackie Armstrong, Laddie Busby, George Chisholm (tb), Kenny Graham (ts), Don Honeywell (bs), Dick Katz (vln), Eddie Thompson (p,org), Sammy Stokes (b), Frank Holder (cga). Olwen's Dream*/I'll Get By*^. (^Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) (*Vocalion CD - Presenting Kenny Graham) (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD set - Kenny Graham - Four Classic Albums, plus bonus EP and tracks) | |