John Burch (musician)

John Burch (born John Alexander Burchell; 6 January 1932 – 18 April 2006) was an English pianist, composer and bandleader, equally at home playing traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie-woogie and rock.

For the English organist, see John Birch (musician). For the Bermudian guitarist, John Burch, see The Invaders (band).

Life and career

Burch was born in London on 6 January 1932.[1] Having started piano lessons at age 12, he played in army bands during his military service stationed in Germany and in the late 1950s toured military bases with his trio.[2] In 1959, he toured France with bassist Jeff Clyne and saxophonist Bobby Wellins.[2]

In 1960 Burch joined Allan Ganley's Jazzmakers.[2] In the early and mid-1960s he led a quartet and an octet with Dick Heckstall-Smith, Ray Warleigh, Peter King, Hank Shaw and future Cream founders Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce.[2] In the 1960s, Burch was one of many UK-based musicians who "moved easily between traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie, and rock".[2] As an accompanist, he played with American musicians who were visiting the UK; in 1966 these included Freddie Hubbard, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Red Rodney.[2]

As a composer, he wrote "Preach and Teach" (1966) which provided the B-side of Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames' hit "Yeh Yeh" and was also recorded by Buddy Rich.[2] He composed Fame's follow-up, "In the Meantime", and also its B-side, "Telegram".[3]

He was also a teacher on the Barry Summer School jazz-education project, which was attended by pianist Keith Tippett.[2]

In 1984, he re-formed the octet with Dick Morrissey.[2] He dedicated his "Resurrection Ritual Suite" to Dick Morrissey and on his death had just completed a tribute to Ronnie Scott called "Just by Chance".[2]

Burch died from cancer on 18 April 2006.[2]

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References
  1. Chilton, John (2004). Who's Who of British Jazz (2nd ed.). Continuum. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-8264-7234-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Fordham, John (18 May 2006). "John Burch". The Guardian.
  3. "Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames - In The Meantime / Telegram - Columbia - UK - DB 7494". 45cat. 1965-02-20. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
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