Memories of the jazz world in the 1960s and some of the characters
John Periam, a former lifeboat volunteer, takes a trip down memory lane to the jazz scene of the Swinging Sixties and explains how his friendship with jazz club owner Ronnie Scott developed
Ihad always liked jazz from a young age – growing up with the sounds of Bob Wallis, Cy Laurie and Ken Colyer, including Ken’s all-night sessions at his club in London leaving at six in the morning to hitch a lift back to Hythe in Kent. However; changes were afoot when I joined Kodak in London as a member of the Kodak Colour Show Team. It was there that I met Warren and Veryan – I think they took pity on me as I lived in a bedsit then and at times invited me out to meals and to Veryan’s parents’ house at Harrow Weald, where her father Frank brewed some great homemade beer, which we drank listening to Jo Harriot and Johnny Dankworth recordings. It was my first inroad to modern jazz.
Prior to joining Kodak, Veryan worked for Carlo Krahmer, who had his own record company called Esquire Records, which recorded many of the then greats of British modern jazz, including Ronnie Scott, Joe Harriott and the Dankworths. Carlo lived with his wife Greta in Bedford Court Mansions in London and had his small recording studio in the basement.
I was introduced, and before long I was sitting with them and others from the London jazz scene at the Royal Festival Hall – always the same front row seats (still got the tickets) which Carlo got from Harold Davidson who arranged these London concerts. You name them we saw them, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sonny Still, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Modern Jazz Quartet and many others.
After each concert, an invite backstage to meet the musicians often followed. Princess Margaret loved her jazz and was often there also. It was such an honour to meet them all. I remember meeting Duke Ellington and he put his arm around my shoulder and came out with his famous quote ‘I Just Want You to Know I Love You Madly’. Ella gave me a kiss on my cheek and Milt Jackson from the MJQ was always asking me if I had any sugar lumps!
Ronnie Scott’s club was nearby and sometimes we often popped along there to Gerard Street then his Frith Street Club. Carlo was sadly blind and Ronnie knew him well as Carlo had recorded him several times. Hence anyone with Carlo was always an invited guest to the club. I wondered if Ronnie ever made a profit – too many friends!
Sometimes after concerts the musicians came along as well as celebrities that loved the place. Spike Milligan, Michael Parkinson, Kenneth Clark MP and Judy Garland along with many others who knew if they came there, they would not be pestered.
There was the hidden musicians’ bar downstairs which I often used to go to. I would meet regulars there including George Melly enjoying his brandy while chatting to the likes of Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon and Stan Tracey. To me, this was my little hideaway and it was where I first started to collect jazz autographs. Many signed on the back of beer mats and other bits of paper I may have had in my pockets.
The club was run by Ronnie and his partner, fellow musician Pete King, and we became good friends. Larry the Lights was another part of the club and looked after the stage lighting from his little box behind the nice tables in the club. Sometimes I would pop into Ronnie’s office behind the small stage and he always made me welcome. He loved chess and on one occasion I met Coleman Hawkins there enjoying a nice game with him. The club closed at 3am each morning so it was always another late night for me.
Other times I would meet up with Carlo and we would walk to the club. Being blind, he knew every pavement and pothole in the road and walked without any concerns, often faster than me humming a nice version of Mood Indigo – what a lovely man!
I eventually became a sale rep selling veterinary products all over the world. However when home, I often popped up to the club. Ronnie and I became good friends. I recall him visiting a jazz club at a pub in Hove. By then I had moved to Shoreham and become a volunteer on the RNLI lifeboat there. I took three of the crew along. I was chatting at the bar when a friendly hug appeared from behind. It was Ronnie. My pals were amazed.
In those days I had my labrador called Shelley. Once the band had started, Shelley went under my seat (front row again) – she fell asleep and started to snore softly.
After the first set Ronnie, said with his dry sense of humour: ‘It is the first time in my life playing Chasing the Trane that I have sent a member of the audience to sleep woof! Not to worry his owner John is one of my old mates.”
What wonderful memories I have and thank you Warren and Veryan at Kodak for setting it off for me.
Ella gave me a kiss on my cheek and Milt Jackson from the MJQ was always asking me if I had any sugar lumps!