(From Jim Keppie, April 2008)
The thinking behind the Scottish Jazz Archive concept stems from discussions by a number of us who came to the opinion that the legacy of the early years of the jazz revival in Edinburgh and Scotland was significant enough to merit the creation of an archive which would hold recordings as well as photographic and written evidence of the approximate period 1945-1960.
The arrival of the Scottish Jazz Federation seems to provide an ideal vehicle to assist in an archive's creation. This body has, however, only recently been formed and while interested in our approach, has requested that we come back a little later. We are happy to do this, but in the meantime decided it would be sensible to research the period in question and produce a 'text', which could be a book or other form of print based on information culled from appropriate individuals while their memories still function (!). This would of course be in addition to whatever data we can abstract from existing texts and elswhere. We are convinced that there are collectors/enthusiasts from those earlier days who would be pleased to leave their 78s, LPs, CDs and books, photographs and anecdotes to such an archive. Any such resting place would, of course, depend on the results of discussions with the SJF and possibly other agencies.
I have an interest in jazz going back to the early days of the Edinburgh Rhythm Club in Methven Simpson's where the original band included Bob Fairley, Bill MacGregor, Drew Bruce, Mrs Bruce and Dave Mylne, which in time was replaced by Al Fairweather, Sandy Brown, Stu Eaton and others. The Club moved to Riego Street and was renamed the Edinburgh Jazz Club. My fellow attenders included Jim Tabel, Gerry Hall and Janol Scott who were form-mates at the Royal High School, as was Bill Strachan. Janol (who died a year or so back) was on the 'committee' concerned with the plaques for Sandy and Al but, like me, always thought that something of a more permanent memorial was required, hence this development.
While researching the situation throughout Scotland, I have found an interesting and surprising listing in 'Enjoying Jazz' by Rex Harris of Jazz Clubs north of the Border and would be interested to hear from any of your readers who could supply information on the clubs, venues and bands - they number about 28 in all, including Aberdeen (2), Ayr, Bellshill, Dundee (2), Edinburgh (4), Falkirk, Glasgow (14), Largs (2) and Paisley.
Finally, I would welcome memories and anecdotes of the Edinburgh and Glasgow scene in the 1940s with particular reference to the West End Cafe in Edinburgh; the Edinburgh Rhythm/Jazz Club, the Condon Club, the Stud Club (Crown Bar) and the Oddfellows Hall (Jazz Band Balls).
If you would like to respond to Jim's request, please contact us.