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Jack
Varney - 1918 to 2008
Jack
Varney
Born on January, 15 -1918 in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Jack was one of
Australia’s most versatile and respected musicians, who played the
banjo, guitar, piano and the vibraphone. His music career was
interrupted during the war years when he saw service as a pilot with the
RAAF.
Jack Varney was a member of the internationally
acclaimed Graeme Bell Australian Jazz Band which toured Europe, and
appeared on the BBC and a several European radio networks.. He played
both banjo and guitar with the band as well as doubling on piano for
Graeme Bell.
During his two years in Europe Jack shared billings
with such jazz legends as Erroll Garner, Louis Armstrong, Coleman
Hawkins, Humphrey Lyttleton and The Dutch Swing College Band. At
the time Jack was named as one of the top four banjo players in the
world.
On his return to Australia he played in orchestras and bands that
accompanied such star artists that included Frank Sinatra and drummer
Gene Krupa.
Outside the recording studio Jack played in television studio
orchestras, and also in various groups at Melbourne’s top night spots
Jack’s extensive music
career included 17 years as A and R Manager with Australia’s W and G
Records, during which time he produced scores of recordings for some of
the biggest names in the early days of the Australian recording
industry. Included were two very successful groups that he formed -
“The
City Slickers” and “Happy Jack and the Bar Room Boys”- winners of four
Gold Albums. He was also involved in writing commercial jingles.
Jack Varney was a life member of the Musicians’ Union of Australia, and
also a former President and Trustee of the Melbourne branch.
Jack
Carter Pianist died and his widow Glen Carter married Jazz
musician and record producer Jack Varney, one of the original members of
the Graeme Bell Jazz Band which was the first
Australian jazz Band to achieve international renown. Glen an accomplished pianist and music teacher,
also had several albums to her credit. The couple can be heard
together on a “cocktail style” album with Jack on vibes and
Glen on both
piano and organ. Together they also formed a Keyboard Academy in
Melbourne which was won a National award in 1981 and ’82.
After a long battle with Parkinson’s disease Jack Varney passed away in
his 91st year on May 19th - 2008.
Dixieland
Jazz Band 1947 & 1948 - Bilarm BAC 24
(a) Roger Bell - Cornet; Ade Monsborough - Valve Trombone / Clarinet;
Geoff Kitchen - Clarinet; Graeme
Bell - Piano; Lou Silberseisn - Bass; Russ Murphy - Drums. Recorded 11th
April 1947. (b) as (a) Don ‘Pixie’
Roberts - Clarinet replaces Kitchen, add Jack Varney - Banjo /
Guitar,
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PAUL
VERNON CHESTER
