Vale Len Barnard & Chris Taperell
| The Geelong Jazz Club wishes to acknowledge the contribution that Pianist Chris Taperell, and Drummer, Len Barnard, gave to Jazz in Australia over a lot of years, and in doing so, say thanks for the many pleasant hours of great entertainment they gave to our members. Chris and Len will be long remembered as two of Australia's finest Jazz musicians by a11 lovers of jazz throughout the length and breadth of Australia. Members of the Geelong Jazz Club were very saddened to hear of the passing of both Chris and Len and we at Geelong wish to extend to both the Taperell and Barnard families the clubs deepest sympathy in this very sad time and to let them know that our thoughts are with them.
Bas Len Barnard and Chris Taperell at the Geelong Jazz Club, 1996 Bas has made mention of the deaths of Len Barnard and Chris Taperell. I knew Len was gravely ill, but I had heard and spoken to Chris at the recent Kyneton Jazz Festival. As part of my acting as a historian of the club's activities, 1 keep a simple diary of its activities. One entry from 1996 reads: '2 March: Bob Barnard and Friends Bob Barnard (cnt. ldr), Neville Stribling (rds), Chris Taperell (pno), Tony Paye (sbs), Len Barnard (dms). $1460. Peter Gaudion, who had promoted the band at his venue, Jazz Lane, offered the band to the club. Held in foyer of GPAC. Large attendance.' Peter Gaudion, who you will know as trumpet player with Society Syncopators, was at that time running the venue Jazz Lane in Melbourne. Many significant overseas and interstate musicians played there. He had brought Len, Bob and Chris from Sydney to appear Jazz Lane. He was looking for extra gigs for the band and he phoned me offering the band for our club night. It was discussed by the committee and accepted. Discussions with the Geelong Performing Arts Centre management led to them offering the use of the foyer at our usual hire rate because there were no shows in either of the theatres. The club paid the fees of the Barnards and Chris Taperell direct, a total of $1,220.00, which included performance fees, accommodation and a share of travel costs. Neville Stribling and Tony Paye received the standard $120 fee that the club was then paying. Writing in the club newsletter, Editor Roy Gabb said, President Dave Parsons, in thanking the band was all smiles as he said, 'What a fabulous night!' This brought tumultuous applause, resulting in an encore Tiger Rag, an appropriate finale to an evening of jazz played by top professional musicians. The comment made by many, particularly those who were at Halls Gap was 'you can sure tell the difference', with artists like Bob Barnard who is undoubtedly Australia's top comet player. I'm sure it is the professionalism that is the difference. Listening to both Bob and Neville who have been playing together for many years, one notices the tonal quality and smoothness of their playing, no matter whatever tempo it is. This captivated the attention of the 160 in attendance to just listen to the music. This was evident by the absence of dancers during the first set, the quietness during the playing being broken up by the applause at the end of each number, and it was only in the last two sets that the dancers appeared in large numbers. With a line up of top musicians, each given plenty of scope to show there versatility - Bob adding to his comet playing with several vocals: Ink a Dink-a-Do and Pennies From Heaven among them. Neville Stribling gave us an infectious version of Love Me Or Leave Me on the bass saxophone. Neville also played tenor sax plus vocals. With only two in the front line, the rhythm section was featured individually in most numbers. Pianist Chris Taperell was very popular with his first rate interpretations during the night, his playing of the Fats Waller tune Honey Hush received great applause. Drummer Len Barnard demonstrated his gifts as one of the top drummers in Australia, also contributing a vocal and a stint on the washboard. Tony Paye on bass exhibited some fine playing during the night in keeping with the other four players. Of course it was a bonus being in the Foyer of GPAC adding to comfort through its spaciousness and easy accessibility to the dance floor and the bar. Also we must complement Rhys for the quality of the sound. Yes, we would like to be there all the time, especially when we have large crowds, but this is not possible on a regular basis because of theatre commitments. Of those that were present, fifty one, were non members, which again proves having top jazz musicians from overseas, interstate and Victoria draws the crowd.' The profit on the night was in excess of $200. I might mention of one of Len Barnard's other skills. He was a well-read, articulate man. I have always believed that he wrote the most interesting liner notes for albums. A well-attended celebration of Len's life, organised by his daughters, was held recently at the Rosstown Hotel in Carnegie. Dave |
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