Michael Lake: Ian Shawcross at the Tiger Inn
End of an era…
nearly
BY MICHAEL LAKE
gig, w
Ian Shawcross and Friend’s 26th anniversary
longest residencies in jazz history and mark
as both a celebration of one of the
the beginning of the end of an era. This was
ed
announced b
before the ax
y the host as the penultimate gig
e falls on Monday jazz nights at
Stowting folklore for as long as folk has been
the Tiger Inn, which have been a part of
lore. hops with musicians, diners, friends and
As for the gig, the Tiger Inn was packed to the
followers all pa
Ian Sha
legend, a slightly more gr
wcross is something of a local jazz scene. The list of local musicians who hacontribution Ian has made to the K
ying tribute to the sizable
ent jazz
Bak
acefully ageing Chet in on Monda ve sat
that he is in his 72nd y
er. He (probably) won’
ear
t mind me rev
. Ian could be
ealing Among the 14 musicians who were on show they nights at the Tiger is a long one.
sax
of a Bo
mistaken for a grump
y
y Yorkshire b*****d, a bit
extr
cs, except that he is of lancastrian Corsbincluding the liv
ophone section alone is worth a mention,
y, Uncle George R
ely Ivan Thompson, Da
eed plus guests Will
ve
rev from P
jolly nice chap
ealed he is a genuine lo
act and as my brief (in between set) chat
.
ver of music and Dom Shaoland and Gary Barnacle. I wwcross (son and k as told by
Gary Barnacle had play
eyboardist) that
‘Lets Stay together
ed sax on Al Green’s
Both his parents were pub piano pla
He was born in Farnworth just outside Bolton. evening had heard his father recount tales of’ but over the course of the
local entertainers. His other key musical
yers and
influence w Suspecting a wind up I check
less believable exploits by band guests.
jazzer and fan of Duk
as his brother who w
e Ellington. Ellington’
as a bit of a credentials. While I couldn’
band was the breeding ground of some of the
s big to this ev t find an
ed out his
y reference
all time great trumpet pla moustached Gary Barnacle w
ent, I was impressed to find out that a
T
yers including Clark in as allegedly
inspir
erry and Nat Adderley both of whom were
His own distinguished musical career included
ational to the young aspiring Shawcross. that is a storyshoot and pla
volved in the Clash’
y
.
ed sax on Combat R
s infamous rooftop pigeon
ock. Now
fifteen y
band, a number of dates at the Albert hall,
ears as lead trumpet with the marines The set was a veritable pick and mix of tunes
followed b
instruments.
y 28 years of teaching brass ‘Cantaloupe Island’ and the Beatles classicincluding swinging versions of ‘Bare necessities’,
‘Eleanor Rigb
unforgettable Jo
y’. Guest v
yce singing a Duk
ocalists included the
number and Sandr
e Ellington
‘Summertime’. All told it w
a adding a touch of class to
S “pla
evening of jazz and ribaldry
as a cracking
ying with great musicians in fantastic
. In the words of Ian
atmosphere has been a real luxury”
no doubt that Monda
. There is
never be the same again.
y nights at the Tiger will
I ha
this legend will return ;).
ve a feeling however that in true Ali fashion
In the words of Mr Ali “I will be back”.
October - November | The Gig Guide | p39
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