Dear Old Southland

CD GHB BCD-64

Here we have a clarinet duet by the great Albert Nicholas and his disciple John Defferary. I met John about 15 years ago when we happened to play alongside each other in a parade at a jazz festival. He faintly remembered that we had also played in the street a couple of times in the 70’s.

I had learned about his session with Nicholas from a discography and asked him if he happened to have a copy. He said that the session was quickly made and he was very young and so on, but if he found it, he would copy and send it.

This never happened, but then this CD came out, and I’m happy to listen to two clarinets that don’t compete and don’t play too many notes, which can easily happen with this instrument. Of course, Albert Nicholas, with a distinctive sound, has always liked to move his fingers a lot.

In the original liner notes, John says that the session was made in Belgium, but from the liner notes by the participating drummer Trevor Richards, we learn that it actually was recorded in John R. T. Davies’ studio in a converted stable at Burnham, England. The strict rules of the British musicians union regarding visiting musicians did not allow such activities.

The other musicians are Pat Hawes, piano; Paul Sealey, guitar; and Bill Cole, bass. The year of recording was 1969.