Jazz Preview: Fond memories of a huge talent and character

The death of Diz Disley sparked affectionate memories from fellow guitarist John Etheridge, who appears at Seven Jazz in Leeds next Thursday.

Veteran jazz fans will remember Disley as a member of the Yorkshire Jazz Band in the 1950s.

Etheridge recalls him in a subsequent role as a colleague in the group led by Stephane Grappelli.

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"Diz was the kind of character who seems to have disappeared from our world," John told me.

"He was an eccentric, talented, chaotic individual , tremendously musical , wickedly comic, a witty cartoonist and bon viveur in the WC Fields manner.

"I played with him in the Stephane Grappelli band and am eternally grateful to him for asking me to join that line-up.

"That first period with Diz in the group was one of the most enjoyable musical experiences of my life.

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"Diz basically spent his life with no fixed abode ,was mercurial and elusive – coming and going as the mood took him and certainly earned his nickname (William was his given name – totally unsuitable!).

"His relationship with Stephane Grappelli was very deep and he was the original Djangophile.

"A legendary character, and almost a household name, he was a very important part of the music scene in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies."

Etheridge joins violinist Christian Garrick at Seven Jazz for a duo performance which will include pieces from their new album Men on Wire, dipping into the Hot Club de France repertoire as well as embarking on more contemporary sound tapestries.

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