[Dixielandjazz] Morecambe and Wise

[ROBERT R. CALDER]

It might be observed to Joe Temperley, that for sheer musical quality his appearance on a Morecambe and Wise TV show certainly outdid that of Andre Previn.

Of course Previn turned up as conductor of a London symphony orchestra, in a skit on Morecambe's supposed pretensions with his own "improved version" of Grieg's piano concerto, in which he was hoist by the lapels and addressed as Mr. Preview, whereas the Great Temperley was stood beside Danny Moss as a sideman when Humphrey Lyttelton's band played during the pause featuring guest musicians (or the almost like) on one of the weekly shows a long time before Mr. Preview turned up on a Christmas special. I don't think the two comedians were exactly jazz buffs, but certainly Mr. Wise was commended by one jazz mag for the amount of 1940s swing (the time of his youth) in his selection of records to be happily stranded with on a desert island where he could manage to play them. 

A clip of the Humph band performance was included on TV documentaries respectively lauding Humph at a great age, and celebrating the long life when it was over. This can probably all be seen on YouTube,

sunshine would not be unwelcome!

Robert R. Calder 




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