Jack Parnell (1923–2010)
Jack Parnell was a drummer, composer and band leader. He was born into a theatrical family in London and his uncle was the theatrical impresario Val Parnell, for whom Parnell worked on many TV productions.
During his military service in the 1940s he became a member of Buddy Featherstonhaugh’s Radio Rhythm Club Sextet and played drums with Vic Lewis and other servicemen who were keen on jazz. Later, he recorded with Lewis as the Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen.
Parnell was voted best jazz drummer in the Melody Maker poll for seven years in succession up to 1952. Later, he composed the theme music for many popular TV programmes including ‘Love Story’, ‘Father Brown’, ‘The Golden Shot’ and ‘Family Fortunes’.
In 1956, Parnell was appointed musical director for the TV company, ATV, a post he held until 1981. Throughout the 1960s, Parnell directed the pit orchestra for ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’, produced by his uncle, Val Parnell. He was the ‘real’ conductor for the Muppet Show orchestra for the entire run of the series.
During the 1970s, Parnell co-founded the group The Best of British Jazz with Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, Betty Smith, Tony Lee and Tony Archer, which performed until 1985.
At the end of his career, Parnell played with Mike Capocci Trio, who backed saxophonists Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Ross and Kathy Stobart. In 1994, he took over as the leader of the London Big Band, which comprised some of Britain’s leading jazz musicians.
Biography by Mike Rose
Big band swing review
Jazz trumpeter Ron Simmonds reviews Jack Parnell's 'Big Band Swing' album in 2001.
Jack Parnell: Interview 3
Image Details
| Interview date | 1st January 2001 |
|---|---|
| Interview source | Jazz Professional |
| Image source credit | |
| Image source URL | |
| Reference number | |
| Forename | Jack |
| Surname | Pernell |
| Quantity | 3 |
Interview Transcription
New Recording
JACK PARNELL
"BIG BAND SWING"
Kick Off, drum duet Phil Seamen and Jack Parnell; ®Fanfare Boogie; ®Trip To Mars; ®Ready Willing And Able, vocalist Eve Boswell; ®Skin Deep, drum duet Phil Seamen and Jack Parnell; ®Sky Blue Shirt, vocalist Jack Parnell; ®Sure Thing; ®Topaz, trombone Laddy Busby ; ®One For The Money; ®Sixteen Tons, vocalist Jack Parnell; ®Cotton Tail;®Fuller Bounce; ®April in Paris; ®Blowin' Wild, vocalist Dennis Hale; ®Love And Marriage; ®Catherine Wheel; ®The Devil's Eyes, vocalist Dennis Hale; ®Carioca; ®The Hawk Talks; ®The Heart You Break (Maybe Your Own), vocalist Eve Boswell; ®Night Train, trombone Laddy Busby; ®Waltzing The Blues (Without You), vocalist Jack Parnell; ®Shake Rattle & Roll, Jack Parnell and The Crackerjacks; ®Melancholy Serenade; ®Knock Out
EMI Gold 7243 5 26347
Collective personnel:
Trumpets: Jimmy Watson, Ron Simmonds, Albert Hall, Jimmy Deuchar, Jo Hunter, Hank Shaw, Mo Miller
Trombones: Laddy Busby, Jimmy Wilson, Harry Roche, Mac Minshull, Don Lusher, Ken Wray,
Saxophones: Derek Humble, Ronnie Scott, Pete King, Tubby Hayes, Don Honeywill, Bob Burns, Ronnie Keene, Joe Temperley, Harry Klein
Piano: Max Harris, Bass: What nostalgia! Most of the band titles were recorded with Jack's small band on 78 rpm between 1952 and 1954. Those with Eve Boswell and Dennis Hale came later on when Jack had the big band. I came on the band in January 1953 and stayed until 1960. That was a long time for me to stay anywhere, but it was a great band to be in—just look at all those players!
I followed Jimmy Watson into the job, but he used to come back and play with us now and then—with Jimmy Deuchar and Jo Hunter that was a hot trumpet section! I've put one or two bits of the trumpet unisons Jimmy Watson used to write for us in the Technical pages. (Watson examples)
There are some priceless tracks on this CD—outstanding among them are Kick Off and Skin Deep, where Jack and Phil Seamen play their stunning drum duets. These are not individual solos—both drummers play the same solo! The result is unbelieveable. One can imagine the impact this had on the audiences, not to mention the guys in the band. These two titles, plus Jimmy Watson's Catherine Wheel make this CD a must for everyone. It certainly brought back a whole bunch of memories for me, especially Sky Blue Shirt, one of the first charts I wrote for the band.
Copyright © 2001, Jazz Professional. All Rights Reserved.
