RIP Joan Morrell (1938-2011)

Joan Morrell (1938-2011)

John Blandford writes:


Joan Morrell , who founded the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club in 1972 and ran it continuously since then, sadly died on November 20th.

Joan was a native of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, where she founded her first club while still a teenager, but it is the Cambridge club with which she will always be associated. The UK jazz scene is heavily dependent on volunteer promoters, and anyone who has carried out this role will know the tenacity and hard graft required to sustain a club over almost 40 years.

Ever a modernist, Joan played a major role in developing the early careers of numerous fledgling players who went on to become internationally renowned artists. One such, Iain Ballamy, remembers Joan’s enthusiasm to programme new, experimental, imaginative and sometimes obscure acts. Joan’s guiding principle was to champion, respect and support the music rather than to maximise ticket sales. Her policies have earned the club genuine respect and credibility from the hundreds of musicians who have played there.

Joan will be irreplaceable, but happily the club will continue in the spirit in which she nurtured and ran it. It is hoped that a memorial event will take place next year. RIP.

Joan Morrell. Born 14th March 1938 . Died 20th November 2011

Cambridge Modern Jazz / Mick Hutton wrote this tribute before the 606 benefit gig in August

PREVIEW: Triple Bill Joan Morrell Benefit at the 606 on Monday 1st August

Joan Morrell

UPDATE 25th November 2011. Obituary of Joan Morrell by John BlandfordThe 606 on Monday nights is often the place where you can feel the heartbeat of the British jazz community beating at its strongest. A date to bookmark is MONDAY 1ST AUGUST when the Six will host a benefit gig for Joan Morrell of Cambridge Modern Jazz Club (above), whose packed Friday night gigs in Cambridge are one of the cornerstones of the scene.

Bassist Mick Hutton, who has put together an astonishing line-up for the gig, writes:

Most of the musicians on the UK jazz scene have at some time or other played at the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club. Joan Morrell, the founder, has been running the club since 1972, which by any standards is a monumental achievement.

Any jazz musician will tell that some of the best gigs around are made possible by independent promoters such as Joan, most often working for little or no reward.

Joan is now seriously ill and a benefit gig is to be held at London’s 606 club on Monday 1st August. The fact that so many musicians have volunteered their services free of charge is testament to the esteem in which Joan is held. Despite her illness, Joan continues to work for the club, providing work for musicians and bringing the best of UK modern jazz to the public. The evening promises to be quite spectacular.

The line-up for the evening is:

20:00: Stan Sulzmann, Chris Biscoe, Pete Saberton, Dave Barry and Mick Hutton.

21:15: Iain Ballamy, Nic France, Gareth Williams and Mick Hutton.

22:30 Don Weller, John Donaldson, Andy Cleyndert and Dave Barry.
After that there will be a surprise special guest and jam session. The musicians will also be donating CDs which will be on sale on the night and many of Joan’s friends, colleagues (and Joan herself) will be attending.

Details from the 606 website