[Dixielandjazz] British Trad - Max Collie

[Kurt]

I agree with your assessment of Max Collie and his Rhythm Aces.  I first
heard them at the Bix Festival in Davenport, Iowa in 1975.

The band was: Max Collie, leader and trombone; Phil Mason, trumpet; Jack
Gilbert, clarinet; Trefor "Fingers" Williams, bass; "Gentleman Jim"
McIntosh, banjo; and Ron McKay, drums & Vocals.

I was about 14 at the time and being a drummer, immediately gravitated to
Ron McKay.  He was very nice and gave me some good tips on his style of
drumming.  He also told me that Ringo Starr used to come into the clubs he
played in England to listen to him (for what that's worth).

I immediately bought any Max Collie album I could find.  I've never heard
another band that had so much genuine energy and excitement. Have they
recorded anything after 1980, and if so, is it available?

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com]On Behalf Of john petters
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 12:54 PM
To: DJML
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] British Trad - Max Collie


Bob said
> My first real exposure to British Trad was sometime between 1970 & '73.  I
> was playing intermissions @ Turk Murphy's Earthquake Magoons in SF.
>
> Sam Johnson brought the Max Collie band over to the states.  Turk was on
the
> road. Magoons was the band's first gig in the States.  They blew me away.
>
> What excitement!  What drive!
>
> Sure, the music was a little crude but for what it was, it was great!
>
Interesting you should say this Bob, because when I fist started listening
to live jazz it was Max's band that capured my imagination. The drummer was
the same Ron McKay I  singled out earlier. They played with high energy and
excitement and got the young crowd in Chelsea.
> I think Jack Gilbert, Ron McKay & a bass player named Trevor was in the
> band.  Also, maybe a player with the last name of Macentosh (SP)?
Jack Gilbert sadly passed last yead. The bass player was Trefor Fingers
Willians and the banjo - Jim McIntosh. Trevor and Jim play with Phil Mason's
band which until recently also had McKay. This had all the drive of the old
Collie band. I have played with both bands several times.
Phil does great business wherever he plays.

> At the time I first heard his band in the early 70s, I felt that if the
> American bands played with that much drive & excitement, we'd sure attract
> the younger crowd

absolutely right.
John Petters
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
www.traditional-jazz.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert S. Ringwald" <ringwald at calweb.com>
To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 6:55 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] British Trad


> I guess I am rather unique as I like most early Jazz as long as it is done
> well.
>
> I like the Hot 5 & 7, World's Greatest Jazz Band, Turk Murphy, Lou Watters
&
> the old Dave Brubeck quartet.
>
> I love Art Tatum, Morton, Rob McConell's Boss Brass, Dave Grusum's big
band
> & Jack Sheldon's big band.
>

>
> Later, in the late 80s, I was in the UK & went to see Max.  The band's
> personel had changed a lot.  He had really lost the excitement & drive.
The
> band just didn't make it for me like it had when I first heard them.
>
.
>
> Bob
> mr.wonderful at ringwald.com
> Placerville, CA, USA, Earth, Sol's System, Milky Way
> Amateur (ham) Radio Station K6YBV
> Fulton Street Jazz Band
> See: http://www.ringwald.com
> Boondockers Jazz & Comedy Band
> See: http://www.theboondockers.com
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz


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