[Dixielandjazz] Vale Roger Bell

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
Further to my report regarding Roger Bell's death, I have been advised 
by Graeme Bell that the funeral will be held on:
Monday 23 June 2008
12 noon
Le Pine Funerals
981 Burke Road, Camberwell,
[Melbourne] Victoria.
Following the service, refreshments will be served
(probably) at the nearby Palace Hotel in Burke Road, Camberwell.
Kind regards,
Bill.

ROGER BELL
Roger Bell (born: Melbourne, Victoria.  4 Jan. 1919) was Graeme Bell’s 
younger brother. With Ade Monsbourgh and friends he discovered jazz on 
radio and records in 1932, while at school. He began playing drums in 
1935, formed a band with Graeme, playing local dances and took up 
cornet in 1938. Apart from a period in 1943 during the war the 
brothers’ musical activities were linked until the famous Graeme Bell 
Australian Jazz Band broke up in September 1952. Roger left jazz music 
for a while, then joined Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces. He worked with 
various bands until becoming a member of the Melbourne Jazz Club house 
band in June 1958. This band evolved into Frank Traynor’s Jazz 
Preachers and Roger remained with them until mid 1967. He recorded 
between 1949 and 1980 with his Pagan Pipers, freelanced during the 
1970s and made overseas playing trips in 1976 and 1981. He was still 
active on the Australian jazz scene up until the mid-late 1990s and a 
regular and popular performer at the annual Australian Jazz Convention 
and Australian jazz festivals.  Rude health (to borrow the name of his 
1968 original composition) eventually forced Roger into reluctant 
retirement. He died on Tuesday, 17 June 2008 following a long illness.
He was a dear friend with a great sense of humour, a passionate and 
dedicated supporter of Australian jazz, a popular and enthusiastic 
performer, innovator, prolific composer and extremely knowledgeable 
regarding our music, its history and importance.
©Bill Haesler OAM. 2008