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| John Burch... |
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John Burch (born Burchell) was born in London on January 1932. He was a pianist, composer and bandleader, equally at home playing traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie-woogie and rock. He started piano lessons at age 12, and later played in army bands during his military service stationed in Germany and in the late 1950s toured military bases with his trio. In 1959, he toured France with bassist Jeff Clyne and saxophonist Bobby Wellins. In 1960 he joined Allan Ganley's Jazzmakers and in the early and mid-1960s he led a quartet and an octet with Dick Heckstall-Smith, Ray Warleigh, Peter King, Hank Shaw, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. From 1961 to 1962 he was with Don Rendell's Quartet after which he concentrated on his own octet which continued through the 1879s and 1980s. In the 1960s, Burch was one of many UK-based musicians who moved easily between traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie, and rock. He frequently worked with Tommy Whittle's Quartet and Lennie Breslaw's Trio. In the 1970s he worked with Ray Warleigh and Kathy Stobart and in the '80s with Lennie Best. and in the Dick Morrissey Quartet through to the '90s. As an accompanist, he played with American musicians who were visiting the UK; in 1966 these included Freddie Hubbard, Roland Kirk, and Red Rodney. As a composer, he wrote "Preach and Teach" (1966) which provided the B-side of Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames' hit "Yeh Yeh" and was also recorded by Buddy Rich. He composed Fame's follow-up, "In the Meantime", and also its B-side, "Telegram". In 1984, he re-formed the octet with Dick Morrissey. He continued to lead various groups into the 2000's playing regularly in the Rochester area until his death from cancer on 18 April 2006. | |
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The New Don Rendell Quintet - June 17th, 1961 (Jazzland JLP51) Don Rendell (ts), Graham Bond (as), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Phil Kinorra (d). Blue Monk*/Jeannine*/You Loomed Out Of Loch Ness*/So What/The Haunt*. (*BGP CD - Roarin') (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Don Rendell Six Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) The New Don Rendell Quintet - August 29th, 1961 (Jazzland JLP51) personnel as June 17th. Bring Back The Burch*/Manumission*. (*BGP CD - Roarin') (*Real Gone Jazz 4 CD set - Don Rendell Six Classic Albums plus bonus tracks) The BBC recording detailed below was made at a BBC studio in 1962 but was not released on record. In June, 2010 Gearbox Records issued a limited edition 10" EP titled Manumission... The Don Rendell Quintet - 1962 (Unissued) Don Rendell (ts), Graham Bond (as), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Ted Pope (d). Bring Back The Burch/Manumission/Frankinsense. The Johnny Burch Octet - 15th to 18th March, 1963 Mike Falana (tp), John Mumford (tb), Graham Bond (as), Stan Robinson (ts), Miff Moule (bs), John Burch (p), Jack Bruce (b), Ginger Baker (d). Moanin'/Early In The Morning/All Members. (Rhythm and Blues Records CD - Johnny Burch Octet "Jazzbeat") Jam Session at The Hopbine - summer 1965 Ray Warleigh (as), Red Price (ts), Chris Pyne (tb), John Burch (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Alan Green (d). Billie's Bounce/All The Things You Are/Alexander's Ragtime Band/Groovin' High. (Acrobat CD - Jam Session at The Hopbine - Groovin' High) The Johnny Burch Octet - 14th November, 1965 Hank Shaw (tp), Ken Wray (tb), Ray Swinfield (as), Peter King (ts), Harry Klein (bs), John Burch (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Mike Scott (d). The Champ (3 takes)/Ritual (2 takes)/Oleo (3 takes)/Milestones/Stolen Moments {2 takes)/I Remember Clifford/Going Up North/Nightwalk/Del Sasser. (Rhythm and Blues Records CD - Johnny Burch Octet "Jazzbeat") Tommy Chase / Ray Warleigh Quartet - June 27th, 1978 (One Way - Spotlite SPJ510) Jon Eardley (tp) Ray Warleigh (as), John Burch (p), Danny Padmore (b), Tommy Chase (d). Chasin' The Bimpt/Like Someone In Love/What's New?. (Spotlite CD - One Way) Tommy Chase / Ray Warleigh Quartet - October 18th, 1978 (One Way - Spotlite SPJ510) Ray Warleigh (as), John Burch (p), Danny Padmore (b), Tommy Chase (d). I Remember You/Stars Fell On Alabama/Speak Low. (Spotlite CD - One Way) Dick Morrissey Quartet - December 9th, 1988 (Resurrection ritual - Miles Music MM077) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Jim Hall (d). Resurrection Ritual/Germina/The Maestro/Lush Life/Love Dance/Star Trek. The session below, recorded live at "The Crown" in Chislehurst, Kent , was only released on a limited edition tape cassette... Dick Morrissey Quartet - November 17th, 1989 (Love dance - Jazz Juice JCT1) Dick Morrissey (ts), Derek Nash (ts-1), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Jim Hall (d). Introduction/Too Close For Comfort/Falling In Love With Love/I Hear A Rhapsody/Swingin' On Those Rhythm Changes/Sisyfan/Love Dance/Tenor Madness (1)/The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. (Norma CD - Love Dance - Jazz Juice). Don Rendell and his Big Eight - May 17th, 1991 (If I should lose you - Spotlite SPJ-CD546) Don Rendell (as,ts,sop,fl), John Burch (p), Pete Morgan (b), Robin Jones (d). If I Should Lose You*/Relaxing At Loweswater*/Jumpin' At The Lakeside*/Cruisin' At Eskdale*/Hard Knott Pass* (JB out). (*Spotlite CD - If I should lose you) | |