Sadness as music fest founder dies
Farewell to jazz musician
The founder of a popular Callander music festival has died.
Graham Oliphant (75) passed away this week at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, following illness.
Mr Oliphant was a well known figure in the town, founding the Callander Jazz and Blues Festival, after relocating from Glasgow.
A keen musician, he played in a number of jazz bands as a drummer over the years.
The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival lead the tributes to a ‘dear friend’. They added: “Graham was a passionate musician and the driving force of the festival for over 13 eventful years, introducing many musicians and music enthusiasts to Callander and the Trossachs for the first time.
“Graham was always on hand throughout the festival to organise, play and enjoy the many bands that made the Callander Jazz and Blues Festival a fantastic success and a great tribute to a super guy.”
Friend Malcolm MacAdam said: “To me he was a man with a big heart for Callander and the people of Callander.
“This year’s festival has to be a success in Graham’s memory. We will have to get to work raising the funds for the festival so we need to pull out all of the stops as a tribute to Graham and all his hard work over the years.”
Trossachs and Teith councillor, Martin Earl, who had worked alongside Mr Oliphant in securing funding for past editions of the festival, added: “It was extremely sad to hear this news.
“Graham was the driving force behind establishing the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival as a major annual event in the town. His commitment and hard work made that possible. I know there are people determined to make sure the event continues and becomes a fitting legacy to the man that created it.”
Mr Oliphant is survived by his wife, Shirley.
His funeral will be held on Friday January 18 in the St Mungo Chapel, Linn Crematorium at 3pm. All family and friends are respectfully invited.