|
| Bobby Pratt... |
|
Trumpet player Bobby Pratt was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in January, 1927. He was a professional musician, playing trumpet, flugel horn, piano, drums as well as the odd vocal. Professional from the age of sixteen he served in the Royal Corps of Signals leading the popular Skyliners Army Dance Band.He joined Ken Mackintosh for a year from March 1948 before joining Ted Heath in 1949 and stayed with him until November 1960. He was a world class lead trumpet player capable of playing incredibly high and loud and his work gave the famous brass section much of it's distinction. His high note duets with Bert Ezzard became highlights of the band's appearances. He was also one of Britains busiest session men working with top jazz and pop performers in the record and TV studios. When he left Ted Heath in 1960 to continue his increasing TV, film, and recording freelance work he was also in demand for jazz big band work and played in the big bands of Humphrey Lyttelton and Eddie Harvey as well as being a member of the Downbeat Big Band, Tubby Hayes' Big Band and Tommy Watt's Band and Jack Parnell's ATV Band. Bobby Pratt took his own life on 5th June1968 at the early age of 41. "The trouble with playing lead trumpet is that you have to be so damned accurate all the time. There can be no half measures about it, because you are terribly exposed playing up on top there. The strain has caused more people than I care to mention to turn to drink as a means of bolstering up confidence, and Bob Pratt has been by no means the only lead trumpet player in the world to commit suicide. Apparently, after his wife Tina left him he had sunk ever lower into an alcoholic nightmare. The rest of the guys had kept on booking him on sessions out of sympathy - this shows just how great all these people were. He could hardly play, but they stuck him down on fourth or fifth trumpet and told him to play it cool. Stan Reynolds had gone to pick him up one morning and smelled gas. He broke into the kitchen and rescued Bob, who was laying on the floor with his head in the oven. It was a waste of time, because he did it again a short time later, and this time there was no one there to stop him." (Ron Simmonds) Stan Reynolds: A tribute to Britain's Conrad Gozzo. I was with the Tommy Sampson Band and we were doing a one-night-stand at Nottingham. The resident band was the newly-formed Ken Mackintosh Orchestra and as we entered the ballroom - wow! - what a sound! A 6-foot young trumpeter was down the front playing "Body And Soul", and it was, of course, Bob Pratt. I am sure that his version of the tune will always be remembered by musicians, not only for his great high register work at the end, but also for the subtle jazz feel and the good notes he found in the build-up towards that last chorus. After his stay with Ken Mack, he took over the lead chair from Kenny Baker with the legendary Ted Heath band, and it was there he made a world-wide name and was dubbed the Conrad Gozzo of Britain. What more fitting tribute can you give any lead trumpet man? Heath with Bobby - Hawaiian War Chant Off the stand he was a lovable big beauty; never a show of temper or a bad word about anyone. All he wanted was to make music. He was the best work-horse any bandleader could ever have-yet at the bottom of his heart all he wanted was to play Bobby Hackett style of jazz, which he proved he could do on an album with Frank Chacksfield's Orchestra. Surely this deserves to become a collector's item. Stars Fell On Alabama So we've had to say farewell to one of the world's finest lead trumpets. I, for one, will always be thankful that I had the privilege of being led by the Gozzo of Britain - Bobby Pratt. (Stan Reynolds) |
|
Ted Heath and his Music - 1949 (Decca) Ted Heath Ted Heath and his Music - 1950 to 1959 (Decca) Ted Heath Tommy Whittle Septet - October 23rd, 1951 (Melodisc) Bobby Pratt (tp), Roy Willox (as), Tommy Whittle (ts), George Hunter (bs), Frank Horrox (p), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Ronnie Verrell (d). Wit's End*/Portland Place*/Sam's Say*/Night And Day*. (*Jasmine CD - Bop-in' Britain Vol 1) The Kirchin Band - December 8th, 1954 (Decca DFE6237) Murray Campbell, Frank Donlan, Stan Palmer, Norman Baron, Bobby Pratt* (tp), Brian Hayden (as), Norman Hunt, John Xerri, (ts), George Robinson (bs), Johnny Patrick (p), Ronnie Seabrook (b), Basil Kirchin (d), Johnny Grant (vcl), Ivor Kirchin (dir). Mambo Nothing/Minor Mambo*/Lover Come Back To Me (vcl JG)/Mother Goose Jumps (vcl JG). The Kirchin Band - January 18th, 1955 (Parlophone R3985) Murray Campbell, Frank Donlan, Stan Palmer, Norman Baron, Bobby Pratt (tp), Brian Hayden (as), Norman Hunt, John Xerri, (ts), George Robinson (bs), Johnny Patrick (p), Ronnie Seabrook (b), Basil Kirchin (d), Ivor Kirchin (dir). Lester Leaps The Mambo*/Lanigiro*. (*Vocalion CD - The Kirchin Band - Gotta Be This Or That) The Kirchin Band - March 1st, 1955 (Parlophone R4018/R4010) Trevor Lanigan, Frank Donlan, Stan Palmer, Norman Baron, Bobby Pratt (or Stan Reynolds) (tp), Brian Hayden (as), Norman Hunt, John Xerri (ts), George Robinson (bs), Johnny Patrick (p), Ronnie Seabrook (b), Basil Kirchin (d), Ivor Kirchin (dir). Bandbox*/Tweedle Dee*. (*Vocalion CD - The Kirchin Band - Gotta Be This Or That) March 14th, 1955 (Parlophone R4018/R4010) Personnel as March 1st except add Johnny Grant (vcl). (Oh Baby) Beedleumbo (vcl JG)*/Mambo Rock (vcl JG)*. (*Vocalion CD - The Kirchin Band - Gotta Be This Or That) Johnny Keating All Stars - March 19th and 20th, 1956 (British Jazz - Oriole MG20011) Eddie Blair, Bobby Pratt (tp), Jimmy Wilson (tb), Ian Powell (tu), Ronnie Chamberlain (as), Don Rendell, Tommy Whittle (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Bill Le Sage (p,vib), Johnny Hawksworth (b), Ronnie Verrell (d), Dizzy Reece (bgo-1). Gibraltar Rocks*/Piccadilly Jumps* (1). (*Vocalion CD - British Jazz & Swinging Scots) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Don Rendell Six Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Vic Feldman Big Band - December 12th, 1956 (Tempo TAP12) Bobby Pratt, Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Derek Humble (as), Ronny Scott, Tubby Hayes (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), John Burden (french horn), Jim Powell (tuba), Norman Stenfalt (p), Victor Feldman (vib), Lennie Bush (b), Phil Seamen (d). (Pete King (bs) replaces Joe Temperley on "Karen"). Blues In Two Modes*^/Jennie*/One Momentum*/Karen*^. (*Jasmine CD - Victor Feldman in London - Vol 2) (^Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes - The Little Giant) (*Real Gone Jazz 4CD box set - Victor Feldman Eight Classic Albums) Johnny Keating All Stars - April 29th and 30th, 1957 (Swinging Scots - London LTZD 15122) Bobby Pratt, Tommy McQuater, Eddie Blair, Duncan Campbell, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Jock Bain, Jimmy Wilson, Wally Smith, George Chisholm (tb), Burt Harden (tu), George Hunter, Ronnie Baker (as), Tommy Whittle, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Andy Dennits (p), Alan Metcalfe (g), Jack Seymour (b), Bobby Orr (d). Hampden Roars*/Down South Blues*/Clachnacudan Canal*. Bobby Pratt, Eddie Blair (tp), George Chisholm (tb), Burt Harden (tu), George Hunter (as), Tommy Whittle, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Andy Dennits (p), Alan Metcalfe (g), Jack Seymour (b), Bobby Orr (d). Headin' North*/Loch Ness Monster*. Eddie Blair, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Ronnie Baker (as,cl), Tommy Whittle (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Andy Dennits (p), Alan Metcalfe (g), Jack Seymour (b), Bobby Orr (d). Thistle Swing*/Tam O'Shanter*/Kiltie*. Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Andy Dennits (p), Alan Metcalfe (g), Jack Seymour (b), Bobby Orr (d). Double Scotch*. (*Vocalion CD - British Jazz & Swinging Scots) (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Ronnie Ross Seven Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) Kenny Baker's Dozen - May 1st, 1958 (Nixa) Kenny Baker, Jimmy Watson, Bobby Pratt, Pete Winslow, Bert Courtley (tp), Don Lusher, Maurice Pratt, Ken Goldie, Jackie Armstrong (tb), Jack Lewellyn, Chick Lavelle (g), Jack Fallon (b), Phil Seamen (d). Bakerloo Non-stop* (Other titles on this LP by others). (*Castle 3CD box set - Too Hot - The Best of British Mainstream Jazz) Humphrey Lyttelton and his Band - February 16th, 1959 (London LL3132) Humphrey Lyttelton, Eddie Blair, Bert Courtley, Bobby Pratt (tp), John Picard, Eddie Harvey, Keith Christie (tb), Tony Coe (as,cl), Ronnie Ross (as), Jimmy Skidmore, Kathy Stobart (ts), Joe Temperley (bs), Ian Armit (p), Brian Brocklehurst (b), Eddie Taylor (d). Swingtime In The Rockies*/I Can't Get Started*/For Dancers Only*/Alligator Crawl*. (*Vocalion CD - Humphrey Lyttelton and his band - Humph dedicates) The Downbeat Big Band - November 14th, 1959 Bobby Pratt, Les Condon, Hank Shaw, Eddie Blair (tp), Hank Stampf (tb,bs-tp), Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Johnny Scott (ts), Jack Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Phil Seamen (d). Along Came Betty*/The Scene Is Clean*/East Of The Sun*/Southern Horizons*/Blues At The Manor*/Confirmation*/"E"*. ("Acrobat CD - Blues At The Manor 1959-60 Tubby Hayes and the Downbeat Big Band) The Downbeat Big Band - September 1st, 1960 (BBC Jazz Club) Bobby Pratt, Les Condon, Jimmy Deuchar, Eddie Blair (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott (ts), Jack Sharpe (bs), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Victor Feldman (d). AH Bah Chu*/East Of The Sun*/Confirmation*/Loke Someone In Love*/Une Momentum*/Southern Horizons*/Sister Sadie*. ("Acrobat CD - Blues At The Manor 1959-60 Tubby Hayes and the Downbeat Big Band) Tubby Hayes And His Orchestra - March 28th, 1961 (Fontana TFL5142) (JM0861) Tubby Hayes (ts), Bobby Pratt, Stan Roderick, Eddie Blair, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Don Lusher, Jimmy Wilson, Keith Christie, Ray Premru (tb), Alfie Rees (tu), Johnny Scott (pic), Terry Shannon (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Bill Eyden (d). Love Walked In*/Tubbsville*/Cherokee*. (*Impressed-Repressed CD - Tubbs) (*Proper Records 4CD Box set - Tubby Hayes: Little Giant Steps) (*Real Gone Jazz CD - Tubby Hayes: Seven Classic Albums) Tubby Hayes Orchestra - June 8th, 1961 (BBC "Jazz Club" Broadcast. Programme introduced by Alan Dell) details In October, 2009 Gearbox Records released a limited edition vinyl 12" LP of a 1962 BBC Jazz for Moderns broadcast. This has never been available commercially before... The Tubby Hayes Band - February 21st, 1962 (Gearbox GB1502) Tubby Hayes (ts,vib), with: Bobby Pratt, Eddie Blair, Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Keith Christie (tb), Ken Wray (v-tb), Johnny Scott, Bob Efford, Vic Ash, Harry Klein (reeds), Alan Civil (frh), David Snell (harp), Gordon Beck (p), Freddy Logan (b), Allan Ganley (d). Take Your Partners For The Blues/Peace/Souriya/Down In The Village/Early Morning Afterthoughts. Forty Two Big Band - spring, 1963 (Columbia) Bobby Pratt, Bert Courtley, Derrick Abbott, Les Condon (tp), Keith Christie, Gib Wallace, Bobby Lamb, Bill Geldard (tb), Johnny Scott (as), Tommy Whittle, Eddie Mordue, Bobby Wellins (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Tommy Watt (p,ldr), Malcolm Cecil (b), Bobby Orr (d). Woodchoppers Ball/Tuxedo Junction/St. Louis Blues/C Jam Blues. Johnny Keating & his Band - 1964 (Swing revisited - London SP44034) Johnny Keating |