PAUL
VERNON CHESTER
Manouche Maestro
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Manouche Maestro |
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John (Jack) McKechnie - Jazz Guitarist, 1918 ~ 2002
Jack
McKechnie in later Years as Soloist with a Vintage Gibson Guitar L-5C from C1951 The Hedley Ward Trio
Jack
McKechnie on Grimshaw Plectric Supreme circa 1955 During the fifties Grimshaw made many archtop, acoustic and electric models including the G3, G5,G6, and “Plectric” single cut away jazz style electric, all were archtop styles some with pickups built into the fret board (Grimshaw patented this type of pickup in USA and GB) Grimshaw called these invisible pickups, tone/volume controls were added to the scratch plate.
Regal Edmonton : Jerry Lee Lewis : Hedley Ward Trio
In 1957/8 they had a residency at the Squires Gate Hotel in St Annes near Blackpool. Derek Franklin was married to the late Beryl Reid. They recorded a LP and a single for Melodisc in 1958. ITV in Manchester discovered some filmstock of them appearing on a Saturday Show, undated and silent! Additionally they regularly appeared on 'Tonight' a BBC magazine programme, though most of the film stock was discarded. They seem to have been regarded as a 'filler' not worthy of recording. Additionally they made a number of cover EP's for Levy's (Embassy) but due to contractual reasons changed their label name like so many others. Melodisc was a 'niche' label and alongside Starlite (Esquire, Carlo Kramer) released 'ethnic' West Indies and African music. References in Doug Dobell's complete 77 catalogue indicated they recorded with him (JRT Davies producing) Alex B
Below - ;
Jack McKechnie, guitar; Derek Franklin, double bass player/main vocalist,
George Taylor, piano. The
musical trio were formed in 1948 by band-leader Hedley Ward and they appeared at
the Windmill Theatre in 1950 which led to a spot in radio's
'Educating Archie'.
The Hedley Ward Orchestra played summer seasons at The Spa Ballroom in
Scarborough Yorks., and performed concerts in the open air section during the
late fifties. They always had a first class band with exceptional
musicians/soloists and excellent arrangements. To this day I can remember
the trumpet section individually coming to the front of the band and playing
solos ie. Granada. Those were the days!
Jack McKechnie was the guitarist with the Hedley Ward Trio, a spinoff from the Hedley Ward Orchestra and there was also the Hedliners another spinoff from this Orchestra. The Hedliners may have had a semi permanent residency at the Squires Gate Holiday Camp (bought 1961 by Pontins) around 1954/56 HWT Backing Tanner Sisters - Rag Mop - Jack on Scat?
Jack
McKechnie - Pre-war jazz guitarist in London
and post Hedley Ward Trio based in the West Midlands (UK) area -
entertained the American troops during the fifties sand
sixties while they were based in Germany. The only music shop in Dudley for instrument and equipment repairs was the superb Modern Music on Castle Hill (which has now ceased trading). The ex Modern Music axe master Dudley Music Centre, Lawnswood Road, DY8 5PQ still selling mega cheap strings, straps and guitars via mail order. Gives free advice too - top guy. He still sometimes does set ups when he's not busy song writing - but ask politely people, this guys a local treasure. Found your website while demonstrating the wonders of the web to our uncle Brian Fredrick’s (now aged 86) & he asked if there was anything about Jack McKechnie on that computer thing … low & behold, the first picture was of Jack playing his Gibson L5, a guitar which is now one of Brian’s most prized possessions. He bought it from Jack when he had the Modern Music shop in Dudley for the then astronomical sum of £600. You may be pleased to know that it’s in safe hands, played daily & often out with him & his friends in their jazz groups. - Frank
On a leaf of blue paper (roughly 11 x 14 cm), removed from an autograph album. Good: lightly aged and spotted. Reads 'With best wishes The Hedley Ward Trio - Jack McKechnie, Derek Franklin, this time with Bob Carter on Piano. Docketed, presumably by the recipient, with the members' instruments. Hedley Ward was one of the foremost British bandleaders of the 30s, 40s and 50s, and his Trio featured in many radio and television broadcasts, and are still to be heard on archive programmes.
HEDLEY WARD TRIO FOR U.S. FORCES Hello Again from the Headley Ward Trio and we're here to sing for you!.............................................. Morecambe in the late summer of 1961. The Trio wore long drape coats and played guitar, bass and piano. I always liked their humorous style and music. I was 15 at the time. I recall that the guitarist played a solo called, 'Pepe' I think - Les Piggin - I wonder who played drums on their records.
300 assorted radio shows including:
Jack and Pauline McKechnie - Wedding, Lucky Horseshoes and Daffs were the order of the day. Jack Died October 2002 - Jack’s wife, Pauline, pictured above on their wedding day, passed away on Tuesday 10th April 2012. She will be greatly missed. Thanks for a wonderful web-site. Kind Regards Andrew (nephew) Barney Kessel - Here comes that rainy day again.
Bob Carter (Piano & Trumpet) was born in West Bromwich and Derek Franklin, who was born in Birmingham was married to Beryl Reid - THE Beryl Reid.1919-96
There is a review of their West End debut at the Windmill Theatre in a 1950 copy
of 'New Beat' magazine
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The Trumpeter seems to have replaced Taylor as Pianist is
this Bob Carter and is that part of his signature on his trouser leg.
Adjacent picture Hedley Ward - Bandleader
