• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Birmingham Odeon

Phil, I think you missed my apostrophe! I knew I went to see Casino Royale in the 1960's and it was '67, just could not remember the exact year when I posted. I remember the film - Peter Sellers and David Niven and a host of famous people.
 
Pete, sorry I can't help with your questions, I missed the Ella concert, a fact that was always a cause for regret. I do remember your farewell do at the Royal Oak, Hockley Heath.

Would you believe I was going through my pre migration records only a week ago, sorting out dates of various outings and parties whilst putting together a sort of diary of my life.
We had some good times back then. Sadly, the memory bank does not function so well these days. Pete.
 
OldBrummie,

According to Setlist.fm, the Ella concert was on 14th April 1965. Nothing listed earlier.

EDIT: But someone is currently trying to sell an autographed Ella photograph from a 1963 concert in Birmingham for £197, but no exact date.

Maurice

To Maurice and OldMohawk Ella in 1961 sounds good to me. She was absolutely great.
Now if someone is asking GBP197 for Ella's autograph, then my copy of Orrin Keepnews & Bill Grauer Jr's "A Pictorial History Of jazz" must be worth a bob or two. Apart from "The Count" I also have the autographs of Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy Rushing, Frank Wess, Buddy Catlett, Jack Lesburg, Buck Clayton, Bud Freeman, Vic Dickenson and many many more who appeared at The Odeon and again at The Sydney Stadium in 1964.

Thanks muchly. OldBrummie.
 
Ella was in Birmingham before '61, ' Jazz at the Phil ' toured and I saw the concert at the Odeon twice. We left Birmingham in '59 and I guess the concerts were '57 & '58.
Oscar Peterson was her pianist, StanGetz on sax, Gene Krupa on Drums, together with lots of others missing from my memory now.
 
Those were the days. Sadly most of the "greats" of Jazz have passed.
Such concerts and visits to various Brum Jazz Clubs were a big part of my life.
OldBrummie.
 
Back
Top