Red Allen Chapters 9 - The Jazz Archive

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'TO ABSENT FRIENDS': - THE A.G.M. REPORT. Focus Juni 1964
For those Members who could not (or could not bothered) to
attend the Centre's annual general meeting on June 18th, here
is the report which the secretary presented at the meeting:
'Because of certain later references to Manchester Sports
Guild promotions and responsibility I feel that first a few
words should be said regarding the dividing line between the
Guild and the Sports and Social Centre. Originally the Centre
was brought into existence as a subsidiary of the Guild, but,
with the passing of the 1961 Licensing Act, it was essential
that the Centre be given its own constitution, elected
committee and its members have full voting rights, etc.
From then the Centre has been divorced from the Guild insofar
as accounts, activities, etc., are concerned though occasions do
arise whereby the Centre shares in and profits by certain Guild
activities. Broadly speaking the Guild is concerned with the
sports and other activities OUTSIDE the Centre whereas, of
course, the Centre Committee is responsible only for the activities
taking place here at 8/10, Long Millgate.
"The year just ended has been a memorable one largely because
of the part which the Centre has played in celebrating the tenth
anniversary of the inception of the Guild.
The outstanding event was, of course, the visit of Henry "Red"
Allen, as a result of which the Centre jazz section has become
probably the best known club in Great Britain - and certainly
one of the most praised,. for the publicity obtained from this
visit cannot be under-estimated. Already it has brought
wholehearted co-operation for all future plans from many of
the country's leading jazz writers - and from one of the two
most important writers and critics of jazz in America.
It brought us, too, very many new members of the real jazz
enthusiastic type, though it was disappointing to find that
many of our normal regulars were missing from these sessions.
In case it was the price, let me add that, though the Centre did
not bear the brunt of the cost of "Red's" tour, it was called upon
to pay an average of £180 per night for the cost of Red plus band
and thus an admission of 13/6d. was justified. Even this is small
compared with charges for concerts made locally and here one
had the blessing of some good ale and "club atmosphere."
JAZZ POLICY
"During the year, also, we have seen a continuation of policy
which has brought the jazz fans most of the top British and
European bands.
"We have pioneered a few more ideas some of which have not
been successful but this is inevitable if we are to maintain our
standard and scope of jazz attraction.
"In the world of folk music, we have seen a big change of policy
for, instead of a resident group, we have switched to a policy
similar to that employed in the jazz and this has resulted in visits
of some of the best British artistes and groups plus a couple of
American visitors. All in all reasonable progress is being made
with Frank Duffy doing a good job as resident singing host.
"Due to more attention being given to the planning of the
centre, and in part to its greater use by members for private
functions such as birthday and wedding parties, the bar takings
have increased by almost £2,000 and- we have had a third bar
installed in the ballroom. This, of course, has meant increased
staff with the usual increase in staff problems but here I must
pay tribute to the stalwarts who are still with us at the end of
another year and whose work has been greatly appreciated,
namely, Lil, Betty, Vi, David, Jim and Ted (though the latter
now only helps out in emergencies for he has since become
our very excellent and conscientious part time accountant).
Others have come and gone, flourished for a moment and then
faded into the night - could it be that you don't tip enough?
During the year,. too, we investigated the possibility of
transferring to tank beer but action was suspended.
"One or two slight improvements in the facilities have been
achieved too, notably the installation of an urinal in the first
floor gents' and the addition of an extra washbasin in the ground
floor ladies' toilet. Slight changes have taken place in the
decor and the visit of "Red" Allen inspired two new murals in
the lounge. Changes have been made in the games in the
lounge though the chief pastime is still talking and drinking.
"The year has brought a few setbacks as one might expect.
The Performing Rights' Society, realising that we were paying
more for the bands we employ to entertain, found some sort of
logic which justifies their demanding an in creased rental. …
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Sinclair Trail EDITORIAL in Jazz Journal, April 1964
It is with the keenest appreciation of his Ben Webster and Muggsy Spanier. More Play me one of those good old slow
talents, that we warmly welcome to this power to their elbow!
blues, please Henry, and I will go away
country Henry 'Red' Allen. This is the The last time I beard Henry 'Red' Allen, happy.
second time Mr. Allen has been here, the he was leading a band 'at the Metropole The dates of the tour are from …
last time being in company with Kid Ory in New York. Not all the drinkers who Further bookings are being arranged; all
and his Band. On this present tour he frequent that famous bar quite dig the enquiries to the Manchester Sports
will be accompanied by bands of Alex jazz as she-should-be-dug, but Henry Guild. The other jazz package to be tou-
Welsh, Sandy Brown, the Bruce Turner went on every night and trotted out his ring here is that featuring Ella Fitzgerald,
and Humphrey Lyttelton.
special brand of hot New Orleans horn Roy Eldridge and Oscar Peterson. Their
The tour is being arranged and spon- with very few, if any, bows towards April dates are: 2nd City Hall, Newcastle;
sored by the Manchester Sports Guild to commercialism. His trumpet tone was as 3rd Odeon, Glasgow; 4th Odeon, Notting-
commemorate their 10th anniversary and brassy and humid as ever, his singing as ham; 5th Odeon, Leeds; 6th Fairfield Hall,
it is to be hoped that their courage-ous guttural and swinging as in his heyday. Croydon; 8th Free Trade Hall,
venture into the realms of promotion will As with most New Orleans musicians, Manchester; 9th Guildhall, Portsmouth;
be an outstanding success. If this is the Henry is also quite a bit of an entertai- 10th Colston Hall, Bristol; 11th Odeon,
case, and surely every jazz lover worthy ner, for he was taught as a young musi- Lewisham; I2th Odeon, Hammersmith.
of the name will want to catch the cian that in addition to mastering your Another distinguished visitor is that
playing of this great trumpet player, the instrument it was also necessary to sell- lyricist of the tenor saxophone, Stan
Sports Guild. have it in mind to bring that-stuff. As a blues player there is Getz, who has a month's engagement at
over such figures as Pee Wee Russell, probably no better man playing today. Ronnie Scott's Club.
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Sinclair Trail: EDITORIAL in Jazz Journal, June 1964, p5
I had always been led to believe that up mediocre, but I don't think I have ever Manchester Sports Guild was under the
North, the British people are even less witnessed such whole-sale jollification as expert guidance of the Guild's Secretary,
emotional and given to display than we that which took place in Manchester on the resolute Mr. Jenkins. It says much for
of the South. It isn't true! In my time I the opening night of Henry'Red'Allen's 'Jenks' organising capabilities and
have witnessed a great number of jazz recent tour. To say that the evening went persuasive tongue that although the
events, all over the world - from the gay with a swing, would be nothing short of refreshments were as liberal as manna
abandon of the Nice Festival about which the understatement of the year. To recap. from above (and much stronger),
I wrote last month, to the ugly scenes The night previous to Henry's opening everyone appeared to retire in excellent
which occurred at Newport, America and had been the occasion of a spirituous order - if full of bonhomie and good
Beaulieu, Hants a few unhappy summers clambake, more rightly called a Press spirits. Music had been provided by
ago. I have heard a lot of good jazz at Reception.
various Mancunian groups, and Henry
such places, mixed inevitably with the The whole, good affair, sponsored by the played with all of them. No matter what