Jazz-scene veteran should write a book

I READ John Morrell’s letter with interest (“I hope others remember my piano-playing days”, Mailbox, October 12).

Although I have been a jazz fan since my latter school days at Wyggeston Boys, I had never crossed paths with John, although I knew of him and his reputation.

My father, Frank Watson, was well-known on the local dance band scene. He was probably best-known for his band’s residency at the Bell Hotel for the Saturday night dances from the 1940s to the 1960s.

He started as a drummer, and in the early 1930s was the drummer with Morrell’s Melody Makers. Morrell was Stan Morrell, John’s father, also a pianist.

The band later became the Watson-Morrell Melody Makers. They subsequently parted company, although I do not think I ever knew under what circumstances.

My musical accomplishments are rather limited compared with John’s. I had piano lessons in my youth, with some progress, but no great talent. I had dropped out well before my interest in jazz developed.

In the early 1990s, through a combination of circumstances, I took up the trumpet and progressed as far as the trumpet section of an amateur rehearsal band, The Fosse Swing Band.

Some of the other members of the band knew, and had played alongside, John.

A few years ago, he kindly deputized for us on piano at one of our gigs, so our paths did eventually cross.

I am just coming up to my 81st birthday, with my wife, Jill, still on the right side of 80. I listen to a lot of jazz as well as trying to keep up the trumpet practice. Other pastimes include cooking, reading, audiobooks and cryptic crossword puzzles. Evenings do tend to involve some TV.

I wish John well and hope that he might write a book about his musical life, especially in this age when the very existence of jazz seems to be airbrushed from history.

Tim Watson, Leicester