Chris Barber:
I can hardly imagine a concert without Pat by my side (or recently two steps to the right!)…… I know that his contribution to the Band’s style and performance has been enormous and the possibility of not needing to explain what is needed (because he always knew!) will be seriously missed. We have enjoyed so many remarkable experiences together that I am sure that the record-breaking longevity of our collaboration will not be forgotten by either of us. Perhaps our occasional impersonation of ‚The Odd Couple‘ will have been the more enduring! All the very best, Pat and Shirley, from Kate and myself.
Tony Carter:
The year was 1957. I was 14 years old and about to take in my first live jazz concert at Birmingham Town Hall. The band was Chris Barber’s Jazz Band and there was a young Pat Halcox whose sizzling trumpet was leading the famous melodies of the New Orleans repertoire. I made a decision that night to take up the clarinet which led me ultimately into a life-long career in music. Who would have guessed all those years ago, that in 2001 I would be invited to join Chris’s Band and, for the last seven years, I have been standing with Pat in the front line of The Big Chris Barber Band. During that time Pat and I have become established friends with a mutual love of Jazz, Food, Wine and a good yarn!! We have dined out regally in restaurants too numerous to mention and for the past eighteen months, together with bassist Dave Green, we have shared a car travelling the length and breadth of Europe, and if that car could speak it would tell of the warmth and sincerity that is Pat Halcox. Don’t put the „Wild Thing“ away yet Pat – it’s only just beginning!!
John Crocker:
Can it be forty years since I joined the Barber Band? I had played big gigs with the Mike Cotton Band – the Beatles Christmas Show to name one – but here I was playing with guys who had set the traditional jazz world alight both in the U.K. and on the Continent. Of course one or two of the members who had become heroes to thousands of jazz fans, for example Monty and Lonnie, had moved on, but here I was playing with Chris, the man himself, and Pat Halcox who launched a thousand jazz careers in Britain and abroad, such was his influence on anyone intent on playing traditional jazz trumpet. During the period of my time with the band I was aware that Pat’s playing embraced many aspects, from an early New Orleans influenced style to mainstream, as anyone who heard his superb All Stars Band in the 70’s and 80’s will appreciate. Everyone will surely know this and so I need not enlarge on the musical side anymore, for having driven more miles and kilometers together over the aforementioned 40 years I also appreciate the man himself for the warm, sincere person he is, not forgetting that he is loads of fun and great company. In closing I would like to thank him for helping to make my time with the Chris Barber Band so enjoyable. I would like to wish him a very happy retirement (but don’t but that trumpet away yet) and to say thank you for being a very good friend and for the music.
Norman Emberson:
Dear Pat, So you are finally hanging up the old boots! Well I remember, as a callow youth, turning up for my first gig with the famous Chris Barber Band, shaking at the knees and wondering what I was doing there. You took me under your wing and taught me most of what I know about playing in a band and furthermore surviving on the road (the concrete bitch as John Slaughter would say). Whenever people comment on how I smile on stage, keeping up the good old plastic grin whatever nasty stuff is hitting the fan, I tell them Pat Halcox taught me that. Thanks for your support and comradeship over those years and finding with me those great local Restaurants: not to mention the morale-boosting stickies. I know that you will sorely be missed by not just the band, but all the fans everywhere, as you are quite simply irreplaceable. My one consolation is that now you wońt be on the road all the time perhaps we can get together more often. Norman & Claudia.
Richard Exall:
After joining the band way back in 2004 I found myself thrown into close proximity with Pat, as we were to share the driving in one of the band vehicles. His consistent enthusiasm, support and encouragement did much to help me acclimatise to the conditions and rigours of touring. I was constantly amazed at his memory of towns, roads and venues, and how easily he found his way about in obscure environments. I guess after fifty years there are not many places Pat hasn’t been to. Although Pat has had immeasurably more experience than me; being a shining light on the jazz stage for over half a century; I’ve always felt that he has treated me as a friend and an equal, which is typical of his unassuming, modest nature. Needless to say, his trumpet playing has been inspirational, and still retains its individuality and character that has made him so popular. I will miss Pat’s conversation, knowledge and daft humour as well as his beautiful trumpet playing. Thanks Pat, for all you’ve done.
Joe Farler:
I feel privileged to have spent the last two years on the road with Pat. His love of the music and his sheer enjoyment of playing live concerts has been an inspiration. You only have to see his smile on stage to be reminded that it’s possible to be enthusiastic even after a hard day’s travel, or any other touring hiccups. To sustain that after all the years is amazing and so admirable. On stage he is the total musician, and off stage, he is great company, so at ease with it all, and with a great sense of humour. Research chemistry’s loss was, without doubt, jazz music’s gain, and it has been an honour to be part of that. I wish you well, Pat.
Jackie Flavelle:
Hi Pat my old friend. The ten years we toured together were among the happiest in my life. The St Patrick’s Day celebrations were all most memorable and so many other great memories. Enjoy your leisure, if ever anybody deserved it, it is you. You are beautiful. Love, Jackie xxx
Dave Green:
Since joining Chris in February last year my travelling companions have been Pat Halcox and Tony Carter. It’s been a joy to be on the road with both of them but, and I’m sure that Tony would agree when I say this, particularly Pat. As everybody knows, Pat is a living legend of the British jazz scene; his playing career dates back to the early fifties. In fact the very first live jazz concert I saw as a teenager was The Chris Barber Band at Wembley Town Hall with Pat and the great Dick Smith on bass. Over the years our paths haven’t crossed too much due to my playing in the more modern (for want of a better word) sphere of the music. I do, however, recall the memorable occasion when, during my happy years with Humph’s band back in 1978, Pat substituted for Humph who was ill at the time and flew with us to Prague for a concert and did a brilliant job. For me it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have played and been in the company of one of the nicest guys and unique trumpet players for, as it has turned out, the last eighteen months of his tenure with Chris’s band. Thanks a million Pat. Lots of love. Dave Green.
Mike Henry:
Having worked full-time with the Big Chris Barber Band since 2001, it has been a joy and a privilege to play next to one of the legends of Jazz, Pat Halcox. His playing is so warm and lyrical and yet he has a cheeky side to him as well. I have loved every moment and it will be sad to lose him in our ‚Trumpet section‘, but life is for the living and Pat has a few places to go and see in his retirement (you would think he was sick of traveling by now, but no!!!). The world has been a happier place for all the joy Pat has brought in his playing to the millions of his fans (plus one!). Here’s to a Legend – Pat Halcox.
Bob Hunt:
When I was a young pianist back in the 60s, it was the magical and exciting sound of Pat’s trumpet which prompted me into harrassing my father into buying me my first cornet. Pat and I often joked about the fact that he started on trombone, and I on cornet, and how it may have turned out had we both stuck to our original horns! Always a pleasure to be with, both on and off the stage, Pat is the only person I have conversed with non-stop whilst driving from London to Germany without even a lull in the conversation! A star in every respect!
Colin Miller:
I first met Pat at the Civic Hall, Croydon in 1956 (I still have the programme). At that time the band had an approach to stagecraft that none of the other bands possessed. The first 7″ single I bought was ‚Bobby Shaftoe‘ and ‚The Martinique‘ with Pat’s firm lead trumpet. Little did I know then that 50 years later I would re-record ‚Martinique‘ (with Pat) in the new 6-piece band. While I was with the band Pat introduced me to the delights of afternoon trips to cafes for coffee and cake – usually involving Pat, John Crocker and Paul Sealey. Not easy to stay slim with that routine!! Also not everyone knows that Pat is an excellent photographer and has a wealth of material which probably constitutes a pictorial history of the band – I have tried for years to get him to publish a selection! This could be a project after retirement. All the best, Pat, I’m sure we will still see you around.
Richard Oliver:
Well done Patrick!! It’s time to enjoy doing what YOU fancy doing every day! I only did 25 years or so with you and enjoyed (nearly) every minute of it! Remember your 50th Birthday Breakfast party? Remember 1st. time in Abu Dhabi with Bill Jeff? Remember New Orleans on the „Natchez“? Remember the Granada catching fire and blacking out Calais Harbour? Remember „Palace of the Republic“ first time round and crossing Checkpoint Charlie with the Band in full uniform? So many wonderful memories, so many of them unprintable!! All the very best to you and Shirley in the coming years. You know the address and phone No. The Guest room’s ready. Leave the trumpet at home. Richard and Betty Oliver.
Vic Pitt:
Pat made my years with the band very enjoyable with his dedication to the music and great sense of humour. I will always remember his encouragement when I first joined the Barber Band. We had some great times together, not only with Chris but also „The Summer Band”. It was for me an honour to be involved. In my early years as a teenager I listened to Pat and Chris – the 54 band. I never thought one day I would be part of it. Pam and I would like to wish him a very happy retirement.
John Service:
I’d just like to say that for me Pat was one of the reasons that I wanted to get into playing jazz. His great cornet lead on the New Orleans Joys 10″ LP was and still is inspirational and he has just continued over the years to be one of jazz’s unsung, modest heroes. Pat always had an encouraging, enthusiastic word for me when I came to concerts as a teenager and I found him the perfect gentleman at every occasion. Now that I have the chance to play with him every night on stage, he knocks me out at some time during each performance with his phrasing and harmonic ideas. It has been a great pleasure to play alongside one of my genuine heroes – thanks Pat for your encouragement, friendship and support over the years and for all the pleasure you’ve given me both as a fan and a musical colleague.
John Slaughter:
It’s a long way down the road since we first met in 1964 when I joined the Band. I can remember Pat helping me sort out which way round my duvet should go in the hotel, as I had never seen one before, let alone stayed in a hotel. Since then in the forty-odd years we have been on the road together Pat has always been there to help me out with the odd problem, musical or personal. I have been privileged to be on the same stage with Pat, be it some Jazz Club with a stage big enough for a trio to The Berlin Philharmonie with a stage big enough for Von Karajan and his lads. It’s going to be very sad not to have you around, Pat. Enjoy your retirement, Pat. You have certainly earned it. Cheers, John.
Mike Snelling:
As a young teenager, I was a keen follower of the Dutch Swing College and the Chris Barber Band. My first experience of the Barber boys was in the Alexandra Gardens in Weymouth where I clambered onto the stage at the end of the concert to get nearer to my heroes. I have always been a great admirer of Pat’s trumpet style, a mixture of blistering attack and subtle understatement. To play alongside him in the band, especially the six-piece numbers, has been a great experience for me. Pat is always so supportive and encouraging and his warm presence and easy manner makes him a great companion away from the bandstand. His contribution to British Jazz has been immense. He and his family deserve more time together but their gain will indeed be our loss. Good luck Pat and thanks for the memories.
John Sutton:
I first met Pat in 2000 when I was with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and we toured the U.K. with the „VIPs of Jazz“ tour. Now of course since joining the Chris Barber band and working with him on a regular basis I have got to know him. One of those rare trumpet players who always play the right thing. Quite sparse, but that’s his style; with Pat the gaps are just as important as the notes, and he ALWAYS swings. There won’t be another one like him. And what a lovely chap, always happy and cheerful and always young. I hope Pat will come back occasionally and do a guest spot. Have a long and happy retirement, Pat, you deserve it. Cheers, and with fond memories. J.S.
Mike Whalley (Lighting & Sound Engineer):
When I joined the band in 2005 Pat made me feel very welcome with that ever-gleaming smile. I even had the pleasure of his company on the few occasions he travelled in the van with me. I think there’s a story for every mile he’s travelled over 54 years. It has been great to watch and hear him on stage and more recently to be turning his microphone down ‚cos he’s playing too loud! It seems that his playing hasn’t wavered over the years and he’s still ‚got it‘. Thanks for everything and don’t stop playing Pat, it’ll alter your smile!
Ian Wheeler:
Pat Halcox and I first met in the early nineteen fifties and played together on a number of occasions. At that time we even talked about forming a band. But this was not to be. He got the call to join the Chris Barber Band that Ken Colyer had just left. Shortly after this, I joined Ken and stayed for some years. After I left Ken, it came about that I joined Chris Barber and was thus teamed up with Pat again. This association was to last a total of some 28 years in two periods. Pat’s partnership with Chris has survived some 55 years and it is surely one of the longest in jazz history. In that time he must have influenced many aspiring trumpet players with his fine lead and inventiveness, as well as pleasing millions of people who have listened to his performances over the years. Well Pat, now that we are BOTH retired, maybe we could at last form that band, were it not for the fact that we live so far away from each other. Anyway, enjoy your retirement, I know you won’t stop playing….. See you around. Ian.
Approximately seventy photographs covering Pat’s 54-year career with the Chris Barber Band
