Alan Ganley RIP

[sidewinder]

Noticed in this morning's newspaper an obituary for that very fine drummer Alan Ganley, who died several days ago at the age of 77.

Alan was an illustrious name on the UK 50s and 60s with the Dankworth group, his own band 'The Jazzmakers' with Ronnie Ross and also with Tubby Hayes' Group. He was 'house' drummer at Ronnie Scotts for some years in the mid-1960s too.

He was also very successful in making the transition to North America, where he recorded with the likes of Jim Hall and Art Farmer. Returning back to the UK in the late 1970s, he then returned to being a stallwart presence on the UK scene and was still playing and recording with John Dankworth and Cleo Laine until very recently.

I think I got to sit next to him at a Gerald Wilson concert with the BBC Big Band around 2 years ago (pretty sure it was him, based on visual recognition after seeing him on TV some time later). A very nice guy indeed and a real pleasure to chat with, totally without 'airs and graces'. RIP Mr Ganley.

[BillF]

Noticed in this morning's newspaper an obituary for that very fine drummer Alan Ganley, who died several days ago at the age of 77.

Alan was an illustrious name on the UK 50s and 60s with the Dankworth group, his own band 'The Jazzmakers' with Ronnie Ross and also with Tubby Hayes' Group. He was 'house' drummer at Ronnie Scotts for some years in the mid-1960s too.

He was also very successful in making the transition to North America, where he recorded with the likes of Jim Hall and Art Farmer. Returning back to the UK in the late 1970s, he then returned to being a stallwart presence on the UK scene and was still playing and recording with John Dankworth and Cleo Laine until very recently.

I think I got to sit next to him at a Gerald Wilson concert with the BBC Big Band around 2 years ago (pretty sure it was him, based on visual recognition after seeing him on TV some time later). A very nice guy indeed and a real pleasure to chat with, totally without 'airs and graces'. RIP Mr Ganley.

Very sad news. I saw him play many times in his Ronnie Ross/Tubby Hayes period.

[clifford_thornton]

RIP.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Never came across him, but of course knew him as a name. RIP.

[sidewinder]

He's also featured on many a vintage 'Jazz 625' broadcast. The ones which come to mind are those featuring Tubby Hayes Orchestra, Benny Golson and Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer. One of his very great strengths was diplomacy and an ability to adjust to a wide variety of contexts - which stood him in great stead at 'Ronnies'.

[Guest Bill Barton]

R.I.P.

[JohnS]

Sad news indeed. A mainstay of the UK scene.

[king ubu]

Sad news indeed

One of the things I have coming my way from the flurry of orders I sent in (after receiving this year's bonus grant... ) is the Collectables twofer pairing Ganley/Ross' "Jazz Makers" with a Joe Castro Quartet album (feat. Teddy Edwards). Glad to finally go legit on the "Jazz Makers", that's a mighty fine album!

[BillF]

When I used to see him play - around 1960 - he was very much the "guv'nor" figure. People spoke of his "military bearing", referring to his neat clothing and upright stance. This control was very evident in his drumming, too, and the body language always spelled authority, whether or not he was the group's leader.