Stan hits all the right notes at the age of 80
Prising information out of musician Stan Wright is like getting a note out of a trumpet the first time you pick it up – it’s not easy.
He’s not one, to coin a phrase, to blow his own trombone – he’s proud he’s “still blowing at 80” but just unsure how much and what to tell you.
Stan, who lives with Brenda, his wife of 53 years, in Ayton, is not one to brag – so I’ll do it for him. He’s played with the best and for the best.
Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Bruce Forsyth, Tommy Steele, Ken Dodd and the late Marti Caine are instantly recognisable as showbiz royalty and those with a wider knowledge will know David Whitfield, Jimmy Clitheroe, bandleaders Ronnie Hilton and Edwin Harper – who played in Bridlington.
Stan pl ayed f or Charlie Williams at the Floral Hall in Scarborough and was also in the orchestral band for the Black and White Minstrels for their summer seasons at the Futurist in Scarborough and toured with the troupe.
He’s played Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens.
While stationed in Germany he had a “blow” with members of Count Basie’s band. “I could blow even then but they were terrific,” said Stan.
His musicianship comes from his mother’s side of the family: his grandfather was a brass band musician. Born in Southport, he took up the trombone as a lad and played with the British Legion band.
In the three months before Christmas he learned their repertoire, gave a rendition of “I see the moon, the moon sees me” and earned half a crown. He was 12 and played what he calls a ‘peashooter’.
“I showed the money to my dad who worked in a garage and he said ‘you’re not working in a dirty garage when you can earn money playing the trombone’ and that was it, I was set on the road to becoming a professional,” he said.
He learned to play th e trombone listening to Louis Armstrong and the man Stan still reveres bandleader and composer Jack Teagarden, known as the “Father of Jazz Trombone”.
At the suggestion of an Ivy Benson Band member, Janet, he took a six-week course with Johnny Road house , who played with the Northern Dance Orchestra and was known as “Manchester’s Mr Music”. From there he got a job with the resident band at Blackpool Tower.
When music tastes changed, thanks to The Beatles and others, Stan left for Germany. It was while he was at home in Southport that he met Brenda at a dance at the town’s Floral Hall. Playing that night was none other than Edwin Harper.
He continued to tour and play music while Bre nd a brought up their three children, twins Frank and Sharon and son Mark. They also have six grandchildren. Stan has played on cruise ships including the Oriana.
They moved to Scarborough in the 1960s when Stan got a job with at the Futur- ist playing for the Black and White Minstrels. “When I see what is happening to the Futurist it breaks my heart,” he said. “It was such a big part of my life. I earned a good living there and was able to bring up my children on it.”
Now he plays with Stan’s All That Jazz at Ye Old Forge Valley Inn, Ayton, on the last Wednesday of every month and big bands Gaslighters and Opus One.
He has played at Filey Festival and Remembrance Sundays and plays for the Royal British Legion event at the Spa in Bridlington.
His friend and fellow trombonist Matthew Holles, who also acts as his PR man, has introduced him to the brass band sound. Matthew plays for Hunmanby Silver Band.
Dressed in black shirt and trousers with a tie embla- zoned with a trombone and staves, he looks every inch the slidesman he is.
“The profession is not what it used to be. I used to play every afternoon and every night, seven days a week.
“I’ve been there and done it, had hard times and good ti mes but on the whole i t’s been all right.” said Stan.