THE MERSEYSIPPI JAZZ BAND
Goodbye notes from Spencer Leigh
Nowadays we can hear any music we like with the push of a few buttons but it wasn’t always like that. Relatively few jazz records were released in the UK, let alone played on the radio, and in the late 1940s, Liverpool jazz fans would gather at the Wallasey Rhythm Club and hear the new releases from America, often brought in by the Cunard Yanks.
It was like a secret society. A few members could play instruments and soon they wanted to play the tunes themselves. They formed the Wallasey Rhythm Kings for a dance at the Grosvenor Ballroom (a place that also looms large in Beatle history) for a Valentine’s Day dance in 1949. That went well – they made £2 profit! – and they decided to play some more.
Their pianist Frank Robinson thought their name was dull and so he said, “The music is from Mississippi; we’re on the Mersey, so how about the Merseysippi Jazz Band?” Brilliant, and a fantastic example of Scouse humour.
In those early years, there was Wally Fisher and Pete Daniels (trumpet), John Lawrence (a born leader on cornet), Frank Parr (anything but a leader on trombone), Don Lydiatt (clarinet), Ken Baldwin (banjo, though everyone called him ‘Nob’, his name from the army!), Dick Goodwin (double-bass) and several drummers (notably Trevor Carlisle). They had day jobs but John Lawrence would have fooled any panel on What’s My Line? as he dealt in cork.
Frank Parr was a remarkable guy who played first class cricket as Lancashire’s wicketkeeper. His captain, Cyril Washbrook, loathed him (and that is no exaggeration) as he thought his mind should be on stumping, not stomping. He refused to allow Frank to transfer to Worcestershire and effectively made sure his first-class career was over. Frank left the Merseysippis in 1956 and played with Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band.
In 1956 the Merseysippi Jazz Band had their greatest accolade when they played alongside Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five at the Liverpool Stadium. Louis said, “Man, you sure can wail!” Praise from Caesar and all that.
The Merseysippis recorded nationally for Esquire Records and regularly appeared on BBC’s Jazz Club. A live concert was broadcast from the Bluecoat Chambers. The Merseys had a weekly residency at the Temple in Dale Street, and then on 16 January 1957, they opened a new jazz club at – well, you’re a step ahead of me – the Cavern in Mathew Street.
John Lennon used to refer to them as the “old buggers who wouldn’t let us on stage” (They were all about 35 years old!). Ironically, both the beat boys and the jazz men had a lot in common as they took their music from American Black performers. Their long-standing clarinet player, Don Lydiatt, was also a printer whose clients included the Cavern.
Most of the Merseys could sing a chorus or two but they enjoyed having guest vocalists. There was a glorious girl singer Jill Martin who died young and has not been fully appreciated. When it came to males, they often used Clinton Ford who had his own hit records including ‘Old Shep’. Clint would never sing ‘Old Shep’ live – audiences would call for it and he’d say, “Sorry, Old Shep’s at the vet” or some such nonsense. But Clint and Pete Fryer would always perform ‘My Baby’s Wild About My Old Trombone’ which would have audiences rocking with laughter.
There are many other members I could mention but I must credit John Higham who replaced Pete Daniels on trumpet in 1970 and has been with them until the end. John is a GP – we all call him Dr John – and he must have heeded his own advice as he is still playing in his 90s. Having a consuming passion helps keep you young.
In 2002 I wrote a book, Sweeping The Blues Away, about the Merseysippi Jazz Band for Liverpool University and I wanted to write it because I loved the fact that these people had important day jobs – Pete Fryer as well as being a trombonist was a headmaster – and I thought I could write a really funny book about how they balanced their careers and I’m glad to say I was right. I also appreciated that they had very understanding partners who turned up for their Liverpool residencies.
Derek Vaux was on double bass for years and he had come from the jazz club at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby, first playing in a school band, Noel Walker’s Stompers. Noel went to Decca Records and produced the Big Three and a live album from the Cavern. Duke Ellington liked him so much that he produced two of Duke’s albums.
The Merseys had fame abroad, playing in many festivals, notably an annual event in Sacramento. But no more. On Monday 20 April 2026, the Merseysippi Jazz Band will play its final gig at the Aigburth Arms. But don’t go at night or you’ll miss it. The Merseys are on from 12.30 til 3pm. They are getting on and they want to go home in the daylight.
