[Dixielandjazz] George Melly RIP

[John Petters]

Good Morning Listmates,
Sad news. Just heard via the BBC that George Melly has passed away after 
a period of illness.

For those not familiar with his work, George was a major player on the 
traditional jazz scene from the '50s onwards when he rose to fame with 
the Mick Mulligan Band.

Although not a great singer in the technical sense, he was a truly great 
performer with a serious love for the music of Bessie Smith.

In recent years he collaborated with writer, broadcaster & trombonist , 
Mike Pointon on some fine documentaries including one on Bessie and 
'Melly on Jelly'. He was also a talented author and media personality - 
when personality meant what it said.

I met him a few times and did a TV interview in 1989. I last spoke to 
him at the 100 Club in Oxford St, two years ago and he looked frail 
then. He continued to work and did his last gig at the 100 Club just a 
couple of weeks ago.
-- 
John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ