Bob Clarke Violin & Denny Purssord, Guitar with Bassist Johnny Mulgrew on the Cadge in a "Tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt"

Bob playing Avalon with Tony Oreshko at 2007 Keswick Jazz Festival

Clarke and Purssord have worked with Stephane Grappelli. They were members of the Soho String Sextet, a 'Tribute' to The Hot Club de France and were also members of the Bill Hall Trio then Hall, Norman and Ladd, the internationally renowned mime, music and comedy trio, originally created by Spike Milligan. Notable venues include: The Albert Hall; 100 Club; The Palladium; Victoria Palace; Ronnie Scott's; The Crazy Horse Saloon Paris (10 year record run); Las Vegas; World Cruise on the QE2; and The Kremlin!

Bob with Mulgrew and with Bass and onther starlet as a prop with Shirley Temple and young Laurie London

Bob’s professional career began in the early 1950′s when he was often to be found playing in the Soho clubs of that era. It was an environment that he enjoyed working in and eventually Bob went on to play in some of the iconic Soho jazz venues such as the Mandrake Club and Ronnie Scotts - at its original Gerard Street location. On one such gig, Stephane Grappelli happened to be in the audience and the two met and became friends, often dining together and no doubt discussing gypsy jazz at some length. In the late 50s he went to play in Moscow with the Denny Wright Trio and then went on to tour the world. Eventually Bob settled in Paris playing at many of the top venues including 10 years at the Crazy Horse.  During his travels he associated with many  legends and enjoyed a number of musical collaborations.  On a trip to Las Vegas met both Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole. Bob also played on a number of occasions with Diz Disley and introduced Diz to Stephane Grappelli who in later years would work together.  By 1977 Bob had now formed the Bob Clarke Ensemble and returned to England from Paris. The gigs quickly followed with  a season’s contract at the Victoria Palace. Then in Silver Jubilee week they played the opening act at the London Palladium. Nowadays, Bob still ventures down to London to play and during the summer months was often be found at the Keswick Jazz Festival where he played to a loyal and appreciative audience.

Bob with Wild Bill Bavison

Rob

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The Bill Hall Trio was a musical comedy act originally consisting of Bill Hall (violin), Johnny Mulgrew (Double Bass and Accordion) and Spike Milligan (Guitar). They met through the Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) programme during World War II and the trio continued in its original form until 1947/8. After Milligan left, the Bill Hall Trio obtained a new guitarist (who according to Mulgrew was like George Formby) and other new members whenever old members left or died. The group went on until the death (from Lung Cancer of Johnny Mulgrew in the 1980s.  (Johnny Mulgrew died in about 1986, as Peace Work was published in 1992, and in it Milligan stated that when Johnny Mulgrew died 6 years ago, the trio came to an end.)

Bill Hall Trio - morphed into a tribute group Hall, Norman and Ladd eventually. Bill Hall died from consumption; Johnny Mulgrew, who used to play bass with the Ambrose Octet before the war, he too died of lung cancer. Spike - My mother bought my first guitar for eighteen shillings from Len Stiles’ shop in Lewisham High Street. I was about seventeen. I didn’t know about the plectrum guitar. All guitars were Hawaiian to me. My mother, who was always one for saving money, said: “I’ll teach you to play.” She got hold of a knife and slid the blade up and down the strings, and that was my first lesson. - When we first heard Reinhardt everyone gave up. It was impossible. It still is. He had that personalised tone. He was influenced by Armstrong–but he had this remarkable tone and vibrato for a guitar player. He must have had wrists like an ox. He didn’t leave that vibrato out over the fast passages, either. A tremendous talent.

I'm sad to have to report that my old friend, Denny Purssord, jazz guitarist died last Saturday, 16th April 2011.
 It was because of the internet that I renewed contact with Denny after a long absence. He was much involved with the jazz scene in London's West End in the 60s, but spent many years at the Crazy Horse in Paris with the act, Hall, Norman and Ladd aka Bobby Clarke violin, Denny Purssord guitar and Johnny Mulgrew bass. Denny's funeral was held at Islington Crematorium.   Ros Glickman

The Bill Hall Trio who, well, I was a good rhythm guitarist like Django's brother. Seated one day at the guitar, I was weary and ill at ease. my fingers wandered idly over the ivory keys ... (and bang, there goes another elephant).  I was joined by a jazz violinist Bill Hall, then a jazz bassist Johnny Mulgrew; we became the hit of the Central Mediterranean Forces, nabbed by Gracie Fields to appear on VE night concert, Argentine Theatre, Rome - we are the hit of the show; we escape, before she can sing 'Sing As We Go'. - We go. (Spike Milligan)

Bill Hall Trio   comedy musicians video.
 Probably filmed at Pathe Studios, London.
 Various shots of the Bill Hall Trio, which includes Spike Milligan, playing a unique version of "The Canary" on violin, Johnny Mulgrew double bass and Spike on Gibson guitar. Bill looks to be dressed like an undertaker, Spike looks like a hillbilly with big false black beard, the other wears a flat cap and looks miserable - look out for his elastic string.