Jazz fans remember Gordon
6:00am Thursday 22nd February 2007
Around 200 people are expected to attend a memorial concert for jazz maestro Gordon Tetley next week.
Gordon, regarded as one of the country's most respected jazz drummers and one of Bradford's greatest musicians, died in January, aged 80.
Past members of the Gordon Tetley Big Band will be at the Dubrovnik Hotel on Monday for a concert in his memory.
Born in Low Moor, Gordon was interested in music from an early age and first went into a recording studio aged 13 as part of a five-piece Dixieland band. He went on to perform with dance bands around the country and travelled the world playing on cruise ships.
He's best remembered for forming The Gordon Tetley Big Band in 1969, now known as the GT Big Band, which continues to play each Monday at the Dubrovnik Hotel.
Musical director and band leader Eric Smith says Monday's memorial concert will be a celebration of Gordon's life.
"It will be centred around the Gordon Tetley Band, there'll be past members there so we'll keep changing personel during the evening," he says. "It's primarily music but there'll be reminiscences about Gordon throughout the evening.
"As a drummer Gordon followed famous player Buddy Rich, so we'll include some of his music," he adds. "The concert will include four local drummers who will each have solos. There should be quite a reunion."
Formed by Gordon in 1969, the band became one of the most accomplished big bands in the North.
"It started with 30 arrangements and now has more than 400," said Eric. "Several musicians have been with the band for more than 30 years. The musical style is influenced by Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Glen Miller and modern composers."
The band played at the former Bankfield Hotel, Bingley, for 15 years before moving to the Dubrovnik Hotel eight years ago.
"We added vocalists two years ago, which has proved very successful," says Eric, who met Gordon more than 30 years ago when he went to see the Gordon Tetley Big Band.
"Gordon was always passionate about big bands and interested in maintaining a high standard, which is why I think there's no better big band in Yorkshire."
Despite not being able to play in recent years because of ill-health, Gordon continued to take an active role in his band, attending gigs most Mondays.
The Gordon Tetley Big Band plays at the Dubrovnik Hotel, Manningham, on Monday from 8pm to 11pm. Entrance is free and there will be a raffle.