R.I.P. Gordon Beck September 16 1935 to November 6 2011

The UK jazzmen seem to be disappearing fast.

Pianist Gordon Beck died on November 6 aged 76 followed by Michael Garrick on November 11. Two modern jazz pianists, very different in approach and style with the lesser known Beck perhaps not enjoying the success that Garrick had.

Gordon, born in 1935, first had a career in aeronautical engineering design before starting out as a full time jazz musician in 1961. His obvious influence was Bill Evans and he kept coming back to his 'Evans roots' in his recordings throughout his career.

He played with all the greats of British modern jazz in the 1960s and had a long and productive stay with Tubby Hayes (1962-1965) in various permutations of his bands.

As many other jazz musicians experienced, the 1970s and 1980s were lean times in the UK and Gordon had to spend time in Europe to earn a living, playing notably with Phil Woods and The European Rhythm Machine. He was based in Paris at one stage and made many recordings with local jazzmen. Singers loved his accompaniments and he appeared on tour and on recordings with Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Freddy Cole and particularly with Helen Merrill.

He appeared to be the forgotten man of jazz in the UK until an American record label - Art Of Life - re-issued some of his earlier recordings in the 1990s on cd and later commissioned new music.

A solo recording at the Bath International Music Festival in 1997 ('Reflections') shows Gordon at his best and highlights his Evans influence.

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