[Dixielandjazz] Squadronaires

[Ken Mathieson]

Dingo wrote (inter alia):

>snip
Featuring contributions from soloists such as Jock Cummings (drums), George Chisholm 
(trombone), Andy McDevitt (clarinet) and Ronnie Aldrich (piano)....
 <snip

Let's not forget the fine trumpeter, Tommy McQuater, who was very highly regarded by Benny Carter, who himself knew a bit about trumpet playing. Tommy was in semi-retirement and still playing occasionally well into his 80s and died aged 93 in 2008, although it's rumoured that his liver was aged about 200, having been at least twice round the clock! He worked and recorded with everyone who was anyone in British show-biz, recorded with Carter and performed with Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. He was in the house band providing the music for The Muppet Show and was renowned for his irreverent sense of humour and a fondness for a taste of Scotland's national product. He was also a great pal of Mannie Klein, so if anyone is in NYC and bumps into Bucky Pizzarelli, just ask Bucky about Tommy.

He's a much missed character on the UK music scene and still talked about with great affection whenever big-band musicians here get together. Here's a link to an obit from 2008:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jan/26/obituaries.mainsection

Regards,

Ken Mathieson
www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk