0080 A Tribute to Jack Parnell

Contributed by bluebird

JACK PARNELL 1923-2010
Jack Parnell, jazz drummer, pianist, vocalist and musical impresario died of cancer yesterday (8 August 2010) at his home in Southwold two days after his 87th birthday.
Jack began his musical career back in 1943 as drummer with Vic Lewis and Buddy Featherstonehaugh whilst a serving member of the RAF. After the war he began a long association with Ted Heath (1945-1951) as drummer/vocalist and led a small 'band within a band'.  He played on the final Heath concert in 2000.
His first recordings as leader are presented here - two tracks from 1946 where, surprisingly, he plays vibes in a  Quartet without drums.  He later went on to form a superb big band in the early 1950s with many of the modernists of the day in the ranks.  An earlier compilation of tracks with  bands from the 1951-1954 period has already appeared on this blog.
Jack became Musical Director at ATV in 1956 and remained there until 1976. From then on he mainly freelanced with local groups and visiting US stars often acting as Contractor for recording sessions and Stage Shows.
He 'semi-retired' from the music business in 1983 moving to East Anglia to enjoy the rural life but continued to play with a local trio for the next few years. He had a regular weekly gig at the 'Green Man' near Norwich and in 1993 his Trio plus a local tenor player were invited to play at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Club.  A recording exists and is worth seeking out.
Jack never gave up his interest in jazz in spite of his many other musical commitments and in the sleeve notes for the Scott's cd he says, 
"This album marks my seventieth birthday, and fifty four years in the music business. I'm doing what I love best, playing straight ahead LIVE jazz.....WARTS 'N' ALL."
What a fine epitaph for a fine man.

Ronnie Scott - tenor
Jack Parnell - vibes
Norman Stenfalt - piano
Dave Goldberg - guitar
Charlie Short - bass

01 On the Sunny Side of the Street
02 Scrubber Time

Label: Properbox 131
Recorded: December 29 1946
Lineage: CD>FLAC