For about six months after it was announced that Pat would retire from the Big Chris Barber Band, a message board was maintained on the Barber website, allowing fans and friends to send greetings to Pat. All the messages received via the message board have been copied below. If you would still like to send a message to Pat, please use the following address: edjackson@shaw.ca; I will then post your message at the end of this page — Ed Jackson
A typical „fan moment“: Kjell Wiklund and Pat at Stevenage, May 29, 2008.
Messages Posted on the Message Board (to be updated frequently).
Ray Green: A real gentleman. We bumped into Pat in Germany during the day time, having stayed with road manager Richard Oliver the night before, in 2000, and he took us along to a Chinese Restaurant, (where several others were eating…) then for a cuppa in a department store. Pat apologised that he didn’t have a car handy to take us around! We don’t speak German and this was just so kind and typical. On the way back to the hotel, we bumped into Rod Mason and his wife, who were going to the concert that night, to celebrate Rod’s 60th birthday, and we were therefore invited to share in the cake and celebrations after the concert… Double bonus. Summer 2005, we were in the UK, unplanned, for Mum’s funeral. We nipped over to Hunstanton for a break and to see the band. Bumped into Pat as we walked out of our (grotty) accommodation, and spent the afternoon with him – and more cups of coffee. A real star, a real gent and a fantastic musician. Hope to catch up again Pat. Big hug from Paula too….
Peter Austin: Well it just seems so . . . from my first LP (the 10″ Sacred and Secular“), concerts in Weymouth . . . the Alexandra Gardens with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee then later concerts at the Pavilion (I remember a sunny evening there talking to Pat,Graham and Dick in the bar. Pat kept wanting to sing „Come Outside“ which was big that summer. Not sure whether he was directing the lines to a very,very lovely Swedish girlfriend I had at the time . . . I could tell Graham was definitely impressed) . . . and then more recently at The Stables in Wavendon. A lifetime it seems . . . well almost. My favourite recording . . . I still go for „Climax Rag“ I think on the Berlin LP . . . such a powerful lead . . . but backing Ottilie on „Backwater Blues“ got me too. Oh there are just so many . . . fabulous. What else is there to say . . . . maybe thank you for so much great music.
Keith Payne: Dear Pat, I have seen you with Chris dozens of times over the years. On my 21st birthday on 19/01/64 you were playing at the White Lion Edgeware a marvelous night. My fondest memory is of the Pat Halcox allstars tours. I was a friend of John Crocker from his Mike Cotton days, and one night his wife Jean spent the eveening with my wife whilst I went with John to the Crown at Amersham. Your band was playing and Mike Hailwood was in the audience. An unforgetable night. I have two tapes of the Pat Halcox / Pete York allstars I took from BBC Radio Jazz club. I,m sure you have copies( if not I can send them to you). Magic moments for me are your solo on Soudan on the Copenhagen Concert, and also on Brown Skin Mama from the plus one minus one CD. I hope your farewell tour has plenty of dates in the UK. I WILL GET TO AT LEAST ONE OF THEM! Thank you, thank you and enjoy retirement. How about a Halcox / Crocker band for fun. Best Wishes.
Uwe Giesecke: Dear Pat, bye for now, hope to see you at least once again during your farewell tour. With your retirement the band will lose again one of the real faces! Good luck and stay wealthy.
Marion and Malcolm Aitken: A special big thank you and hug from the family for being at the 70th party on Sunday. That was the first we knew of your retirement so feel very privileged that you were with the band for this event. It was a perfect celebration of 53 years of hearing you in far flung places and we now look forward to seeing you at local venues when you sit in with old friends. God Bless and enjoy a well deserved retirement.
Jon Holden: I saw Pat and the big band for the first time last night — a great player, and a great performer. Happy retirement!
F. S. Petersen: Happy retirement Pat, remember your concert in Odd Fellow Palaet in Copenhagen 1955, I was briefly speaking with you and Monty Sunshine.
A. J. Barth: Thank you Mr. Halcox for playing the trumpet in the Barber Band for so many years. You really are one of the best trumpet players I’ve heard all those 50 years.
Eric Ingram: So many great and lasting memories. Thanks, have a long and healthy retirement.
Joyce & Jim Edney: G’day Pat, best wishes, hope you manage a holiday in Brisbane, enjoy your retirement.
Stuart Roderick: Hi Pat, Saw you and the band last night at Newark, and as always, enjoyed a first class show. I am sorry that you are retiring – the band will not be the same. Like many in the audience last night, (corny as it sounds), I really do remember the halcyon days of the Dancing Slipper in West Bridgford, and other venues in the area. Your brilliance remains undimmed, and I will be consulting the gig list to see you perform again before you call time on your outstanding career. I wish you a long and happy retirement.
Roger Keyworth: Many thanks for a lifetime’s entertainment – first heard you live at Brands Hatch in the early sixties and have managed to catch you and the band somewhere most years ever since!
David Kenny: I have followed you since 1954, introduced my wife Helen to Jazz by seeing you at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester to celebrate my engagement in 1964 and in 1989 saw the band in Chelmsford to celebrate 25 years and the Band played Magnolia’s Wedding Day for us!! I have so many memories of all the band members but especially you. Will see you again before you leave, possibly at Gawsworth Hall like last year. God bless and good luck for a happy and long retirement. Thank you for all the pleasant memories over fifty-four years. Much love, Helen & David Kenny.
Cees Heegstra: Dear Pat, to say thanks for all those years is by far not enough to express what I feel right now. I’m sad and glad at the same time: sad because the Barber Band will never be the same anymore…. and glad and grateful for these 54 years. Your playing was the „musical key“ for the unique sound of the band and therefore cannot be replaced!!! My wife and I hope that your retirement may last for ever and of course in good health. We love you Pat! Greetings from Cees (drummer of the Stable Roof Jazz and Blues Band, and „the dentist“) & Greetje Heegstra , The Netherlands.
Terry Wines: I was introduced to your & Chris’s music when I was about 10 or 11 years old by my Mum & Dad who were both great fans of you both & the bands. Mum is 85 now & still listens to your music. In the 50 odd years of me listening to records & attending the concerts all over Britain from Peterborough to Margate, Weston Super Mare & Corby & St Ives, Bedford, Nottingham, Bristol, etc., YOU Pat have always been the „Rock“ of the band: steady, reliable, such a super nice chap, affable, talkative, always a pleasure to hear & see you play…. Oh, and I play clarinet & guitar – tried the trumpet & trombone but didn’t seem to get on too well! I play a lot of Blues stuff – good old Chris & you introduced the Blues guys into Britain, and I’m as big a fan of Skiffle & Lonnie. THANK YOU (and Chris). Please enjoy your retirement safely & keep well & take care!! Terry Wines.
Linda McCutcheon: Dear Pat, I am writing this on behalf of my uncle Leslie Woolcott who is now in a nursing home. His one enjoyment in life is his Chris Barber DVDs. Today I put one on and he mentioned your name. He has followed your career starting in the White Hart Public House in Southall his home town and we always take him to our local theatre the Beck in Hayes when you are appearing. I know he would want to wish you a very HAPPY RETIREMENT and to say thank you for all the happiness that you and the band have brought him through your music. Have a Happy and Healthy retirement and ‚thank you for the music‘. Kind Regards, Linda McCutcheon – Leslie’s niece.
Nina Grosse: Dear Pat, Fondly do I remember my growing up in Ulm with the Chris Barber Band playing at the Theaterball. For many years, I would bake an applecake in the afternoon of „the night“ and then head down in my ball gown (tray in hand) to the theater straight to the downstairs podium where all of you were. Seeing the fun and joy you had on your faces was very contagious and I caught the „jazz bug“. Thank you. Ever since I moved to British Columbia, I hoped you, Chris and the band would one day make it out here. I am sad to hear that you are retiring, but I wish you all the best for the time ahead. You have had a big impact on my life and I still have and play the signed records. If you ever venture into this part of the world, let me know. Best wishes, Nina.
Chris Robins: Hi Pat…. Very best wishes on your retirement. Our paths have crossed many times (not that you would remember seeing so many people – there are a couple of pictures on the site of us at a Hastings concert) but I have very fond memories of you and your time in the band. ‚The band‘ was my introduction to jazz and you played your part in that – many thanks for that. You had a few gigs at Andover in the past. I’m sure all the past team from Andover would pass their best to you: Mike, Val Hanson, Nina, Jean, Don Vincent, the Twins, and many more. Best regards – Chris.
Garry McKendrick: Thanks for the memories, from St Andrews Halls to Cromer Pier via Ibrox Stadium, and the wee dram we shared at the Holiday Inn Glasgow. Have a happy and long retirement.
Roy & Marian Hands: Thank you Pat for many hours of pleasant listening on C.D. and live shows over the years. You will be missed.
Alan Smith: My warmest congratulations on all the superb performances I have seen, and all the 78s, 45s, 33s, cassette tapes, and CDs in my collection. Since my 1st at Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1957(?), all the way to a recent, smaller but brilliant, night at Uppingham, you have been charming, skilful, enthusiastic, spruce, modest, and totally professional. Fantastic! Although I would have been content to hear the same 1957 sound each time, you and Chris keep adding such variety that I am even sadder to hear of your retirement. But you’ve thoroughly earned it, and I wish you all the very best. Hope you enjoy the remaining gigs, especially Northampton, on Sunday, where I am delighted to say I shall be on the front row!
Tine Pas: Dear Pat, thank you for your long friendship and pleasure you have given us with your music. The girls are also saying thank you. Hope to see you this summer, give my love to Cheryl, Tine.
Ed Jackson: Like so many of your friends and fans in the UK, across Europe, and around the world, I was saddened – selfishly for myself – to hear that you have decided to retire from the Chris Barber Band. On the other hand, I know how hard you have worked and how much you have done since joining the band all those years ago to help create the distinctive Barber sound, to provide unlimited entertainment in your concerts and on records, and to inspire so many young (and now not-so-young) people to pick up the trumpet or another instrument and learn to play for themselves. If anyone deserves a long and happy retirement, it is you. I personally have met you only a couple of times, but I well remember the welcoming warmth with which you talked to me (Bristol and Worcester a few years ago). I’ve been a fan of yours for close to fifty years, and I can’t count the numbers of hours of pure enjoyment that I’ve had listening to your playing over that time. Please accept my best wishes for a long, healthy, and happy retirement.
Gordon Solomon: Enjoy your retirement Pat, See you in Alnwick shortly.
Norman Hill: Dear Pat, I discovered a disc, CB 1956, which I picked up at Potters Bar, Herts, last February. Haven’t played it ! Thought I’d have a look on the web, see where y’all are, when I can see you next; and find you’re packing it in! I’m glad I found out, and so glad too, that, after all these years, I was able to have a few words in the Wyllyot’s that night. I wish you all the best, Pat, in joining the long and happy retirement club. You’ll find you have less time than ever be back blowing in no time! Thanks for years and years of great entertainment and here’s to years and years of what you want. Norman Hill, Hitchin, Herts.
David and Claire Bell: As we came away from the concert at Stevenage last Thursday, Claire said „I feel like sending him a card“. So we were pleased to find this message board to send an electronic card to wish you well in your retirement and to thank you for the music! We have chatted with you a couple of times after concerts in Stevenage and in Harlow in recent years, but did not get the chance to talk this time. All we could do was sympathise with Chris about the problem of filling the hole that you leave in the band. We shall miss that great trumpet playing, but we shall also miss the obvious good humour and respect for other players that we see when you are on stage. Have a great retirement – but play the occasional gig, please.
Bernard Flegar: Dear Pat, Just recently I again had the pleasure of enjoying your mastery at two concerts. You are a complete role model, not only for trumpet players, and not just for musicians but for everyone: your kindness and politeness and sunny disposition your whole life through are unique. Your ability to enjoy yourself on stage every night and to make everybody present, fellow musicians and the audience, feel good, is a gift. I will miss you terribly. And so I want to thank you for everything. I’m looking forward to the concert next week in Hanau – just mustn’t think that this might be the very last time. Please stay healthy, lots of luck & love. Bernard Flegar, Ulm, Germany.
John Edmund Cooper: Thanks so much, Pat, for the years of splendid music. I started listening to the band in the 60s; those famous opening notes of Climax Rag at the Berlin concert in ’59 awoke me to the silvery precision of your playing. Beiderbecke sounded like bullets shot from a bell, apparently, and the description is not inappropriate to your style, but perhaps without the implied violence! I did not see the band live, though, until a couple of years ago in Bristol and then several times since. Anne and I have so much enjoyed the rich texture of the big band, but it’s always a special delight when the six-piece numbers come and you drive them along. We are thrilled to have tickets for Gillingham on 16 July. Travel on to happy retirement, and once again many, many thanks!
Jürgen Bockholt: Hi, Pat! Ich schreibe Dir aus Hamburg (mein englisch ist leider nicht so toll, deshalb auf deutsch) und habe Dich und die Band seit 1965 regelmäßig gesehen und gehört. Mein retirement habe ich selbst gerade hinter mir (es spielte hierzu eine tolle Buxtehuder Dixieband). Ich höre gerade eine eurer cd’s und mir geht hierbei immer noch das herz auf. Vielen, vielen Dank für die Freude die Du mir über die Jahre bereitet hast. Für die Zukunft alles Liebe, Jürgen.
John Lowry: Dear Pat, Thank you for many years of happiness in listening to your music with Chris and the Band. You kindly signed my autograph book when I was a 14 year old schoolboy in 1954 at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester and have always taken the trouble for a few words at numerous concerts both in the UK and Germany. Your distinctive tone and superb technical mastery have always been an inspiration. Look forward to seeing your future informal gigs. Hope you are able to enjoy a little more time to yourself. Very best wishes for the future. John Lowry.
Bert Pauw: Dear Pat, The jazz will certainly miss you! So will I because since my early childhood I am a fan of you and the band. Certainly the original band is my favorite. You and Monty gave it that special sound. I treasure my EP from 1955 with your and Chris‘ signature I got from you a few years ago in Rotterdam. All the best, Bert, The Hague.
Walter Henne: Dear Pat, In the early 70s I first met you playing with the Chris Barber Band. We did many Jazztime Ansbach concerts together. Besides those we met in Biel/CH, in Erlangen, in Nuremberg, in Heidelberg and and and… It was always great to see you again, talking to you and listening to your fantastic trumpet. By the way, do you remember the „Herrmehl Special „? It is a pity that you are leaving the Chris Barber band, but the good news is that you will still play as a hobby. I will do a Radio program about you on the Radio 8 Jazzhouse. A CD with that will be mailed to you. I hope I still have your correct address. All the best and thanks a lot for everything. Yours, Walter.
Charles and Diane Tancock: Well, I usually look in here about once a month to keep up with the news of the 3xBs from the 60s era when it was a magical time to grow up in England. I am very lucky and privileged to have met Pat when he and the Band toured here in New Zealand in 2000. I had never been able to see the Band in England so I am very happy now … I am glad you are going to still play the trumpet as a „hobby“ now. That’s the best way; I always think as retirement isn’t about putting your feet up and doing nothing. You look so well Pat after all the years of touring… it’s so amazing… life is a gamble sometimes and yours has paid off so well in that you have entertained millions of people over many years.. It’s certainly helped me through times of stress listening to you and the Band all those years. What more can my wife and I say but to Thank you from our hearts and wish you all the good luck you deserve. Kindest regards, Charles & Diane Tancock.
Alwyn Dean: Thanks pal for the music and the memories. Except for a brief stop you made in Perth W. Australia once I’ve not seen you all since ‚The Dancing Slipper‘ days (1960) at West Bridgeford (over the garage). Thank goodness for tapes and cd’s eh. I believe there was a bloke called Barber with you there and some banjo player off the street called Donegan. This was around the time this Donegan bloke played in pantomime at the Theatre Royal in Nott’s and I can still see the genuine affection he had in his eyes when singing ‚over the rainbow‘ to Cinders, ah‘ but that’s another story I think. A pianist you had touring with the band one time was Graeme Bell, an Australian and he answered my query about Aus‘ by saying it was a „Hell of a lot of **** all“. Over the past 40 years I have found this to be so, trad-wise anyway. See Ya Later… Alwyn.
Tony Caffry: Hi Pat, Followed yourself and the Band since the very start! About 10 years ago I was walking up the street to ‚The Little Theatre‘ in Paignton, Torbay, having travelled 60 miles to attend a CB gig for my ‚N-th‘ time since ’54. You were taking the cool night air for a quiet breather 1/2 an hour or so before the start of the gig. We chatted for only 5 minutes or so in the cool darkness about life in general, as we slowly walked the couple of hundred yards to the theatre. You didn’t mind my intrusion into your thoughts for those few minutes, which I will always remember. Keep blowing! Best Wishes, Tony Caffry (just a fan!).
Sue from Frankfurt: Hallo Pat, maybe you remember me, it is me from „Schlachthof“ /“Suedbahnhof“ Frankfurt. I wish you all the best for your retirement, so you can spend more time with your family. I`ll never forget you and I am glad to got to know you. All the best, Sue.
Frank from Frankfurt: Didn’t like your music when I was young. It was my father’s music. Anyway I came to love it later. And actually it wasn’t so different from the rock music I grew up with. There was a solid band to give it a frame, and a solist cum superstar to make melodies stick (remember Monty on Ice Cream). Went to see you play many times with Barber. Sometimes with my father and sometimes on my own. Great music every time, and your trumpet always there to give it that extra feeling. I certainly won’t miss your farewell concert in Hanau. And of course I’ll try to drag my old man along. He’ll love it.
John Ryan: I toured with Pat for 13 Years…. He taught me how to be COOL… The nicest guy to be around on a day to day basis … a great musician …. we had a lot of fun…. „give ‚em the lights Pat“ ….. Love John.
Wout and Will: Our dearest Pat. I was quite shocked when I saw that you are about to retire. We do agree with you that after rolling so many miles on the road it will be a blessing for once to be boss over your own calendar and your own watch. What we feel very sorry about that we found out so late that there won’t be a chance to come and see you before you say goodbye. We do wish you all the best and thank you so much for all the years of your friendship and your music. It won’t be the same to go and see the band now. From what I saw on the site I also saw that Bob Hunt’s name was missing in the line-up. Now you are gone. We will see a lot of strangers on stage. Though the music probably will continue to be good as ever, it won’t be the same. Lots of love to you. Wout and Wil.
Jon Kingman: Pat, You have made millions of people happy for many years. You deserve a great retirement, and many years of it. I am listening to you on my computer as I write this, as I often do. Would love to hear from you! The very best to you, Jon Kingman, Humble, TX.
Elin Jensen: Hej Pat, It was really nice hearing you again and saying hello to you. I was not aware that this was in fact your last tour in DK, but I think you said something about it during the few moments we spoke. Now I hope that you will enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement. Love from your old fan and friend Elin in Copenhagen.
Derek Hinchliffe: It’s a long time ago that I first saw you appear with Chris. The last time I saw you was some years ago in Poole, Dorset, when Lonnie Donegan made a guest appearance. A great concert. This year we are looking forward to seeing you in Gillingham for the Gillingham festival. We have the tickets and look forward to being there and seeing you perform with Chris on your farewell tour. Good luck for the future Pat and wish you the best of health. Regards, Derek & Maggie.
Brian Harvey: Hello Pat, This is just a note to say a rather inadequate thank-you for all the good times. I hope we don’t lose touch. Take care – Brian.
Barrie Marshall: When I first heard the Chris Barber band (Whistling Rufus) I fell like a ton of bricks for the playing of Monty and bought a clarinet on the strength of it (I am still playing). When Rock and Roll came along it killed Traditional Jazz off in my part of the world. In 1980 I was asked to join a band and at once started playing my old Chris Barber albums to familiarise myself with some tunes again and of course play along. It was here where I first realised what a great player Pat Halcox is and when I listen to the band I get the greatest pleasure out of listening to the Halcox trumpet in ensemble and solo work. As far as I am concerned all is perfection, feeling, swing, phrasing, creation of lovely ideas, a great lead, balance in everything, each solo is a perfectly conceived. I hope he does not stop recording. You won’t will you Pat. Thanks for all the pleasure you have given my musical soul over the years.
John Westwood: So you’re going to stop tearing around the world with the most consistently successful band in British Jazz. Shame. It wasn’t until I read Chris‘ words recently that I realised that you had once contemplated making a living in the world of medicines. I played, briefly, with Chris‘ first amateur band (the recordings still exist, and I’m proud to still have copies of them!). What he says about ‚going pro‘ is very pertinent; you obviously came to the same conclusion as me at that time. Difference is that you made the right decision, and took up the cudgel. I didn’t. I spent the next three decades in sales – and with GSK, too! I didn’t make a lot of money, and had very little fun. Can’t guess at your financial fortunes, but I do know that you’ve had a lifetime of making really great music. Millions around the world get huge pleasure from listening to your recorded efforts, and some got to hear them ‚live’… an even greater treat. Congratulations on making the right crucial decision all those years ago, and thanks for your huge input into this great music of ours. Please don’t stop blowin‘, though; keep the flag flying whatever you do! Every good wish, John Westwood, Alicante, Spain.
Bryan Yates: Have a good and happy retirement. Have time to listen to all the jazz you have missed whilst working too hard and thank you for all the pleasure that your music (& that of the various bands) have given me over the past 54 years. First saw you live in late 50s, in Manchester. Thanks again and all the very best.
Ken Doran: Can’t believe it. You have been my inspiration for years, in fact, since I first heard you with the Barber band in 1953. What am I going to do now? Where do I turn? I suppose that I’ll just have to try out some of my own ideas or alternatively follow your example and enter the realms of retired trumpeter. Thanks for all the wonderful hours of happy listening. The band really will not be the same without that distinctive and very individual style which you developed over the years.
Chris and Lisa Mitchell: Hi Pat, Where have all the years gone? From the Florida club in Wardour Street, the Marquee in Oxford Street to the all too few meetings in Switzerland, it was always good to see and hear you, with all the different line-ups that was the Chris Barber band. We both wish you a long and happy retirement (or should we hope, a semi-retirement ). Thank you, dear Brother, for all the good times. Lisa and Chris Mitchell, Switzerland.
Richie Burns: Just want to say thank you Pat for many years of good playing. I met you in Exeter many years ago when I was 14. You had the time to talk to me along with the rest of the band. Been a fan of yours ever since. Enjoy your retirement but don’t stop playing. Kind regards, Richie Burns, Drummer.
Peter Frutig: Dies (Biel 21.06.08) das letze Konzert das ich erleben durfte. Die Nachricht machte mich ein wenig traurig. Irgendwann hat halt Alles ein Ende. Ich bin glücklich, Sie noch einmal erlebt zu haben Ich wünsche Ihnen eine gute Gesundheit, Alles gute im Ruhestand und danke Ihnen für die vielen schönen Jazzstunden. Peter Frutig (CH).
Keith Tolley: Many, many thanks, Pat, for all the marvelous music you’ve given over the years – from the Pavilion Theatre in Weymouth in the early 1960s to the Lowry Centre in Manchester a couple of years ago. Enjoy your retirement – you’ve earned it!
Knud Daugaard: Dear Pat, Thank you for everything. I was 10 years in 1954 – and have followed you and Chris since. Fantastic. Hope yoúll enjoy the „trumpet-wine“ I gave you in Odder in June 2008! I have heard you – and the Big CB band – in Århus, Skanderborg, Horsens, Kolding, Vejle, Copenhagen, Middelfart, Berlin…. Big love from Knud Daugaard (Denmark).
Alan Bateman: I have been listening to Pat with the Chris Barber Band since I was a kid. When I took up the trumpet at the tender age of twenty six, I used to play along with Pat on various recordings and try and pick up a bit of technique from his phrasing. Some eighteen years on, I am constantly reminded of Pat’s influence because many of those recordings and phrases are stored away in my brain and occasionally override my own creative thinking when I should be concentrating on my own ideas. Nothing wrong with that though!! Keep blowin‘ Pat and congratulations on 54 memorable years of loyal service.
Doug Potter: Thanks Pat. Listening to you gave me my Jazz ear back in the late 50s; after my family, Jazz is my second huge love. Doug Potter, age 66, happy in retirement, hope you will be too.
Christer Svenson: Dear Pat, Thank you so much for your wonderful playing during so many years and for your electrifying good spirits, together a major work of real jazz! Best wishes for a very long future from Christer in Sweden.
Pam & Dave Wintersgill: Hi Pat, I first saw the Band in 1956 at Oxford, we met at Oxford in1958. We have seen you and the Band on many occasions at various locations in the UK. Will see you at Sonning on Sunday. All the very best in your retirement for you and Shirley. Regards, Pam & Dave.
Caroline: Dearest Pat, I am so happy for the endurance and patience you’ve shown Chris! I am very sorry I will not be able to make it to any of your last official performances (it’s a bit far for a weekend!) but will hopefully see you and Shirley later this fall. You’ll most certainly be missed. Congratulations on your fulfilling career. With love, Caroline.
Dave Wyatt: Having been a devout fan of the various Chris Barber bands since 1954, I’ve greatly admired your playing which I consider was largely the reason for that unique group sound no other band could capture. It was a pleasure to meet and have a drink and a one -to-one chat with you at a jazz club here in Newcastle upon Tyne some years ago. I found you to be a great guy, diplomatically listening to my ramblings on the subject of jazz! I was, of course over the moon to be meeting someone who had given me so much pleasure through great recordings and concerts. Since that time, whenever you have noticed me in a concert hall foyer among the crowd, you have always given me a greeting. That’s a good memory (and the sign of a gentleman) considering the time lapse since that chat and the thousands of other „fans“ you must have met! Anyway, have a long and happy retirement Pat. Your dynamic, melodic and highly accomplished lead trumpet will be missed by Chris and the band as well of its thousands of admirers. Happily, we still have all those great recording of yours to listen to! – Dave Wyatt, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Mike Hurley: Still have some of the 1954 78s – not played very often now – because I now have the Decca sessions cd. I was still at school when the band formed and have seen you live in many places, but not for some years as I now spend most of my time in Turkey. I have very fond memories of some great music – and hope you have a long, happy and well deserved retirement. The only regret I have is that my copy of the Croydon 25 year concert has been ‚borrowed‘. I can’t seem to find it still available (preferably on CD) and of all the recordings I have it’s the only one to have been taken, I guess that is a fitting comment on the music. If it can still be bought would you be kind enough to email me. The one I lost was actually autographed by the band about a year later but I don’t reckon I can repeat that but the music would be enough. Thanks for all of it over the years and good luck to you. Mike Hurley.
Jockel: Dear Pat, I hope and pray that your health and condition is excellent for the next fifty years. I think you are a really friend and a original gentleman. Thanks for the music. Your coachdriver from Berlin.
Ron Hosler: Hi Pat, What a pleasure and a privilege it has been to know you and to enjoy your playing. You have been an inspiration to so many trumpet players over the years. My biggest thrill in music was to duet with you when you guested with the Dave Morgan band at Reading. I thank you for always making time to chat with my wife Pat and I, and to all the thousands of fans you have in the world today. Have a long and happy retirement. All our love, Ron and Pat, also regards from Dave.
Leif Antonsson: Thanks for many unforgettable moments. Since the first record I bought „Wild cat blues a EP from PYE“ 1959, you have been one of my real first idols during the year. As young man I did have Louis Armstrong at first, until the time I heard your „living“ and beautiful trumpet, then it was everything. For me you are the first trumpeter all time in the world! Later in the years I have had the pleasure to enjoy your playing live during your tours in Sweden, it has been unforgettable. Wherever you continue to play I think your listeners are blessed. Thank you for so much, Pat. Leif – Surahammar/Västerås/Sweden.
M.A. McMillan: Happy memories, lovely man. Shelagh and Mac.
George Turner: Hi Pat, What a let down! I really hoped you would be blowing a storm beside that Barber man forever. But alas that could not be and although I sensed a while ago that your retirement was imminent, being forewarned has done nothing to lessen the blow. So, with rather moist eyes, I’ll just say: Thank-you Pat for the many hours of entertainment you have given me throughout my life (I am 72) – at concerts, on records, and on CDs. God Bless and many happy days ahead. The whole jazz world will miss you, but none more than us lot in Shropshire. George Turner.
Alain Andrey: Thank you for all the fabulous moments listening and talking to you, and all the best for the next part of your life. Hope to see you some time again in Switzerland. Alain.
Les Dixon: Hi Pat & Shirley. Can it be that long since we first met? I cast my mind back to those early days on Boxing Day in The Grapes [as it was then]. Sitting in with you was a sheer joy. I never played better. There will never be another Bod. Since then I have followed the band’s progress and changes and this still gives me the biggest thrill in music. This morning I played Mountains of Mourne. Your playing on that is the greatest example of thoughtful trumpet anyone could hear. Magic. You are the man. I do hope we can keep in touch. Stay well and enjoy your new career. With our love, Doreen, Les, Suzanne & Martin.
Marion Aitken: Dear Pat, The standing ovation at the end of a truly great concert, the cheers, and the love for you expressed by the audience, was a wonderful experience and everyone present could not have failed to be affected. Your time with Chris has been my whole adult life and although many refer to ‚my misspent youth‘, I would not have changed a thing. You are very special to people around the world and, apart from being a fine musician, have touched us all with your humour and warmth. You have that golden ability to make people feel they are special. Thank you seems inadequate but we have had the best of you and now it’s Shirley’s turn. God bless you both. Have a great holiday. See you soon. Marion.
Julian Purser: What a great evening at Gillingham last night, what a way to say ‘Thank You’ Pat, from us all for a lifetime of wonderful music. The warmth of the audience for you was so very evident. You have travelled the world, North to South, East to West, giving listening pleasure to every one. Do you remember in 1978, you were deputising for Humph in his Band for a concert in Prague? At the end of the first number you expected Bruce to announce the next number, but nothing happened, till Bruce quietly reminded you that as you were playing Humph’s part, it was your job the do the announcing. Or the time in 1984 when we were all staying in the Amsterdam Hilton at the end of a Dutch tour, and it was discovered that one pay phone was working but did not take any money! So naturally we all telephoned home, one after the other, but you went one better than the rest of us, and after phoning home you telephoned Trummy Young in Hawaii! Thank you and Shirley for all your kindnesses and friendship over many years, and I am sure that we will have the pleasure of seeing and hearing you in the future. Enjoy your holiday, we will keep in touch. Julian.
Bill Ward: I have been privileged to see the band many times over 50 years and was so very pleased to be able to attend Gillingham for your finale. Sure look forward to seeing you as a guest many more times. Thanks for a good long innings.
Brian and Margaret Rendle: Watching you perform live (and on DVD) and listening to you play with the band on vinyl, tape and CD for over 50 years has brought us both immense pleasure. It has always been worthwhile driving some distance (with the odd overnighter) to hear you play with Chris and the Band. The couple of occasions when you have had time to chat with us before the show will not be forgotten and just proved, again, what a really nice person you are. Have a very long and happy retirement, Pat.
Bruce Gwynne: Pat; many thanks for the many wonderful years of music you and the band have given me and others like me. I first saw you in the late 50’s in the Guildhall, Plymouth, whilst I was still at school. Since then I’ve been moved around quite a bit, but have always tried to catch the band whenever you’ve performed reasonably near. Have a wonderful retirement, but don’t put your trumpet in „mothballs“.
Trevor Foster: Hi Pat! I would like to wish you a very happy retirement. My brother and I first saw you with the Chris Barber band in October 1954 in Belfast and as you know this had a big influence on our playing for the next 50 plus years. I think the highlight was when you guested with us some years ago at the Queen’s University festival. As Solly’s review said, “ Every jazzman has a few precious memories, moments of recall when something very special happens, the very odd session with the magical ingredient when, from the start, every component dovetails, and a near perfect night ensues. Such an experience was on Monday night at the Guinness Spot.“ We have had many other sessions together over the years equally memorable. Thank you Pat and good health. Trevor and Rodney Foster.
Gordon Bull: Dear Pat, I have been following the band since you joined in 1954 and have been to numerous concerts from then until now. Your playing has been the bedrock of the various bands under Chris’s leadership and you will be sorely missed. Thank heavens I have so many recordings of you to remember you by. You have brought joy to so many fans. Have a long and happy retirement.
Val and Noel: Thanks for all the pleasure you have given us over the years Pat. We’ve heard you playing from Liverpool to Aberdeen, in Gillingham for your last night and many places in between. We met you and Shirley by the marquee a couple of hours before you played at the Gillingham Festival and you very kindly chatted to us and signed a photo taken last year. We’d traveled down from Liverpool especially for your last night and it was just great to meet you. You have always been very gracious when we have met, taking time to talk to us. The standing ovation and cheers of the audience were very special last Wednesday and showed how people felt. You are a gentleman Pat and it won’t be the same without you. We hope you and Shirley enjoy your holiday and have a long and happy retirement.
John & Val Duffin: I would like to echo and endorse the comments of our friends Val & Noel. Pat is an exceptional performer and musician playing at the highest level for such a long time. He has managed to retain his individual personality and friendly manner which is so welcome today. We have managed to catch most of the visit up „North“ and have never been happier than to see that bright smile light up the stage when performing with Chris. Good luck to him and Shirley, a delightful lady, who as she says has looked after him well for so many years. Thanks for the signing and spending the time with us on your most important day. John & Val Duffin.
Tim Machin: I first saw the Barber band at the Winter Gardens, Margate, some time in the late 50’s and I went to as many concerts as I could ever since. I promoted concerts at Bedford School in the 80’s and early 90’s and came to realise that Pat was not only a super trumpeter but also a perfect gentleman! Nothing was too much bother and he was very enthusiastic about bringing jazz to a new generation. Many thanks, and enjoy your retirement!
Jim Tancock: Well Pat, it’s been a wonderful run for you and Chris. I do hope you will enjoy your retirement. You are a very nice guy to meet. Remember I am the one who loaned you a pen when you were stuck in the middle of autograph signing at Auckland, New Zealand in 2000? You are a true professional anyway and I laugh when the young musicians always make a big fuss about a reunion after say 10 years. Us more senior guys were better made then. Anyway enough of the fluff and I truly do wish you all the very best wishes in your journey. Hip Hip Hooooray for Pat.
Roger from Wegberg: From the Il Rondo in 1960’s Leicester to the Tonhalle in Duesseldorf you given us fabulous music and immense pleasure – and will continue to do so with the CDs and DVDs. Good luck in your retirement and Thank You.
Ken: Pat, Just to wish you a well deserved retirement [Pleased to have you join us!] Have been a follower of the CB Band ever since the old days at the White Hart, seems like yesterday but a bit longer. Thank you again.
John Moore: Dear Pat Halcox, Sorry to see you go. I suppose you have lost your ‚puff‘ like myself ! . . .and that lovely ‚bell tone‘ that carried the band ! The last time I spoke to you was in the Waterfront Hall Belfast. At least I have most of Chris’s records and can still picture you playing in the Ulster Hall way back in the 50s. What a wonderful career you have had. Keep having the odd blow! Best wishes.
Roy and Diane Holmes: We have followed the band since 1956, and have enjoyed the concerts held in Birmingham every year just before Christmas. We call it our Christmas pilgrimage having lived in Scotland for 20 years and now living 4 years in Italy. We are sorry we haven’t had a chance to see you playing in Italy but we would like to send you our many many thanks for the pleasure your playing has given us over the years. We would like to wish you a long a happy retirement. Mille auguri per la tua nuova vita – best wishes for your new life. Tanti saluti Roy and Diane.
Nic Dyer: We met at school in 1941 so I imagine I’ve known you longer than most. In those days you played piano, boogie was a favourite of both of us. I recall you inviting me to a ’session‘ in Chiswick one rainy night, and could I bring a drum along? That was when I learned that a motorcycle was not the best transport for a drum – I split the batter head on the way home. That was the Bob Dawbarn gig you mention in your autobigraphy, with Mick Mulligan. However you were a Trad man and I was a Swing enthusiast so our paths diverged. We met up again when we moved to West Sussex and you and Chris were at Claire Hall in Haywards Heath. You were the same person I remembered from school days and I am pleased to say that we have managed to keep in touch ever since. Have a good retirement, you deserve to put your feet up and let others do all the travelling. Good luck old friend – from another oldie.
Lothar Brendel: Dear Pat, Thank you for your wonderful work all over the years with the Chris Barber Band. After the Deutschlandhalle 1959 concert I decided to play traditional jazz in your band style. Our band does it now in the 47th year. (www.sir-gusche-band.de) I would like to send you your unreleased solo performance (Blue turning grey) from the 1959 Berlin concert, but I cannot attach it on this email. Best regards, Lothar Brendel.
Paul Lagerberg: Dear Pat, Being on this site almost by accident, I was shocked to see that you have retired. I, as a Dutch fan of the Big Chris Barber Jazz and Blues band (or is this a combination of multiple band names?), always liked the way you played. I wish you all the best in your future life. Paul.
Wolfgang Windel: What a shock – Pat Halcox has left the Chris Barber Band! Between my first concert (in Hannover, Niedersachsenhalle) in 1962 and the last one (in Elmshorn) 2008 were 98 more – that means that I have to thank you for exactly 100 concerts, 100 great moments, 100 autographs, 100 smiles and speeches after the concerts, 100 unforgettable evenings with 100 different girls (okay, may be one or two less…). And 100`s of fotos I made from you and the band. You and your trumpet made my youth, you and your trumpet made my age. More than 10 x 100 78`s, 33 1/3, 45`s and CD`s are great souvenirs. I`ll miss you, Pat! Have a long, long life. Be as happy as you make a million of people – like me. Hope to see you again! Wolfgang Windel.
Birgit Windel: Dear Pat, A couple of minutes ago my husband told me that you will never perform. It’s very, very sad, because nobody can replace such an extraordinary musician like you in this band. I remember, when my husband invited me to a Chris Barber concert almost 20 years ago. I must confess that I didn’t know at this time Chris Barber and I had no idea about this kind of music. I`m born in 1962 and grew up with ABBA and Discomusic. After this concert, I was enthusiastic about your music and became a big fan, especially of you. I will miss your way to play trumpet, your charming smile and its very sad to see and feel never again your pleasure to make music for the audience. Sorry for my bad English, but it was an urge for me to write you. I want to end with an famous ABBA-song: „Thank you for the music“ Pat Halcox. All the best for you. Birgit Windel from Hamburg.
Achim Lichtinghagen: Hi! Thank you for your music, I listened to it since decades. Remember the Dixie Club in Witten. You told me in 2007 in Essen, that you still have got a button. I visited your gigs in the 70s. Now I got tickets for Chris`s concert in Essen in Oct. 2008. I’ll miss you. Wish you all the best.
Uwe Maltzen: Natürlich darf der Dank an Pat aus der „Freien und Barber-Stadt Hamburg“ nicht fehlen. Schon seit 50 Jahren haben wir so viele schöne, beschwingte Stunden mit ihm hier in Hamburg erlebt. Nicht nur als Zuhörer, auch hautnah !!! Vielen Dank dafür !!!
Dave Challice: I have only just heard about your retirement today, 14th Sept, and I am supposed to be a fan. Like all of my generation (60s) you enlightened and made the 50s for us and you have been pretty instrumental in making the succeeding 50 years quite good as well. With the other retirements of Ian Wheeler and John Crocker, you do realise don’t you, that our generation will stil be talking about you even though we shan’t see you again. Too many memories to recollect here but I still like the caricature of you in the 100 Club that was there when I last visited the place some decades ago.
Martine: Hiya Pat. So sorry to learn you left the band. I didn’t get a chance to come and see you on your last tour, although I did see you shortly after John Service joined so it was still this year but I was hoping to see you in Denmark since that’s where the Chris Barber band took off so a very fitting place to say goodbye. I will not only miss your playing but also your voice which I thought had a beautiful warm „glow“ and the best in the band in its many forms. Have a Very Happy Retirement and I hope to come and see the band again when you’ll be the guest player. I would so much like to have heard the skat version of Ice Cream which I never saw live. Be Happy always. BB. X X X
Lutz Eikelmann: Dear Pat, I have always enjoyed your trumpet playing on countless records with Chris Barber or a few others like the recordings you did with Sonny Morris or Don Ewell etc. Although a younger Jazz fan (and musician!), born in 1967, I had often the pleasure to listen to your concerts between 1988 (I guess I heard you the first time live on stage in Krefeld, Germany, but Ím not totally sure!) and present time… wherever, in Hamburg, Sägewerk in Möhnesee, Cologne, at Royal Albert Hall (concert: „Skiffle – The Roots Of British Rock“) etc etc etc You have brought so many enjoyable moments of listening pleasure to me, they are countless, and I wanna thank you for that. I remember one concert we played together in summer 2003, when you played with Chris at the Jazz and Blues Festival Balver Höhle in Germany and I played as guest of Ben Riniás Ken Colyer Memorial Band in the same concert before the Dutch Swing College Band followed by you and Chris Barbeŕs great band. I also remember a little chat we had together in Beckum in January 2002, where I had the honour to announce The Big Chris Barber Band as a compere. During that night we both talked a lot about some of your old mates like Sonny Morris, Ian Wheeler and especially Dickie Bishop. Well, however, I want to thank you now for your great work in your career and I send you my very best wishes and very best regards for the new era of your life! May this era will always find you in the best of health and best of happiness. When you look back to the past, please be always aware how many joy you have brought to millions of people. And your recordings will enjoy us in future, too. You will never be forgotten, Pat! Til we meet again, sincerely yours, Lutz Eikelmann.
Vanda Singleton: Dear Pat, I first attended a Chris Barber concert in the 1960’s at The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, I think it was, when I was in my teens and I have been a fan ever since, as is my husband. We have attended many of the Band’s concerts through the years and I was perusing the website for tour dates when I read of your recent retirement. My first thought was „It won’t be the same without him“! I was sad, but not really surprised, as you’ve certainly earned a rest. So a big thank you for your contribution to a marvellous band which continues to bring us much enjoyment and we wish you all the best for a long, happy and healthy retirement. Kind regards, Vanda and John Singleton (P.S. We’ll keep looking for that concert!)
G McGill: Thanks Pat for all the great music over the years. I always looked forward to you coming to Belfast to guest with the Apex Jazz Band in years gone past. Enjoy your well earned retirement. P.S. Don’t stop blowing!
Alan Peacock: From one analytical chemist to another — good luck with the future.
Stan Marsden: Just think, Pat, my old pal, if the Quintones had been successful, neither of us would have had a life of playing! Talk to ya later – when I get your email address I’ll send you THE photo. So long for now, „Marzy“ (Saratoga Springs, NY). P.S. Better than working, though…..wasn’t it!
Peter Bird: May I thank Pat for fifty unbroken years of pleasure. The last time that I saw the band was in Birmingham, Christmas 2006, and I was totally amazed at the vitality of the man. I had the pleasure of speaking to him after the concert, along with Chris, and his loyalty and devotion to his music was amazing. His contribution to the British Jazz scene is immeasurable and, thanks to modern technology, will never die. May I wish him a long and happy retirement.
Terry & Margaret Potter: Thank you for all the enjoyable evenings since 1954 with the Chris Barber Band, enjoy your well deserved rest now.
Peter Rampton: As a result of seeing you play in the Chris Barber Band on numerous occasions, I was inspired by your superb cornet playing, because most nights of the week I was playing along with the band to the Barber records that I had. I have continued into my late 60s to enjoy your playing and it has been marvellous for me. Thanks a million Pat and have a long and happy retirement.
Paddy & Jayne FitzGerald: Hi Pat, I have only just found out about your retirement. Jayne and I will miss you when the band visits Llandudno!!! We first met you & the band in Newcastle under Lyme Theater in the Round in the late 80’s when we stayed at the same Hotel (just up the road from the theater, I cannot remember the name). We used to travel from Trearddur Bay on Anglesey! I still am an avid „Trad Jazz“ fan. I first saw the band at the Festival Hall during the festival of Britain when I was still a student. I can remember one of Lonnie’s banjo strings parting company!! I must say that I really preferred the smaller real jazz band playing trad tunes. May we wish you and your wife a long and very, very happy retirement and long life. Many thanks for all the hours of happiness and enjoyment you have given Jayne & myself over the years. Very Sincere best wishes.
Jens Messtorff: It’s been a surprise to us when we heard of your retirement. We were planning to run another interview with you on January 15th in Bremen but now it will happen without you, regretfully. But it’s been a great honor for us to meet you in Soltau almost a year ago! Thank you for your wonderful music, Pat! Ute & Jens Messtorff.
juergenmeise: Dear Pat! All the best to you … it’s all what I can say. Jockel from Berlin.
Dieter Elger: I never will forget the Barber Band with you and all the other musicians and friends. Sincerely, Dieter.
Charlie Koopmann: Thanks for all the years of great music. We’ll miss you.
The Chris Barber website and archive team would like to acknowledge the tremendous amount of help
we have received from Mike Henry in constructing this page. Thanks, Mike!