[Dixielandjazz] Acker Bilk

[Marek Boym]

How deceptive memory is!
According to Chilton's "Who Is Who in British Jazz," as well as to other
sources, Bilk toured Poland in 1956.  I was there when heis band played in
Wroclaw to some 20,000 fans, who went wild lie at Elvis Presley's shows.
Men's jackets and women's purses were flying in the air; how many ended up
back with their owners will probably remain unknown.  Yet, I thought it was
back in 1954 or 1955.  I spoke to Acker at the musicians lounge in the
Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh just before he went on stage, and, to the
best of my memory, he confirmed 1955.
I still have a soft spot for Acker, and I'll never forget the excitement or
the performance, and that little man standing in the middle of the huge
stage, surrouned by his much taller musicians.  He didn't wear the bowler
hat or the stripped waiscoat that were to become his trademarkm nor was he
referred to as "Mister," although the band already was The Paramount Jazz
Band.  Probably the greatest experience of my life (and I've since had
children and grandchildren, an took part in all our wars until final
release from the reserves in 1994).
Cheers for Acker Bilk!