Obit: Clarinetist Monty Sunshine (30 Nov 2010)

Subject: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:11 AM

Chris Barber's clarinet player and later ran his own band. Remembered by the wider public for his recordings of Petite Fleur and Hushabye and concert feature Old Rugged Cross has died in his 80s having had heart problems in recent years.
http://www.chrisbarber.net/former/monty-sunshine-home.htm

RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:18 AM

Ironic that it was Monty who first popularised The Old Rugged Cross over here. That is the tune which is nowadays played by British trad bands whenever one of their number dies. Needless to say, the band played it at the local session I attend last Thursday.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:21 AM

Petite Fleur was an early 60s 'Trad Boom' favourite of mine. Still is. RIP Monty.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:29 AM

Monte was one of my early inspirations when I was learning Jazz clarinet - Superseded by Johnny Dodds , but stil a source of ideas for a long time ! Last time I saw him was at the 100 Club benefit for Denny Wright !

R I P

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:55 AM

Definately tops for me in the Trad Jazz world. A wonderful musician.

May you RIP Monty and thanks for your music.

This is IMHO Monty at his best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwVRie6fuX4&feature=related

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:56 AM

Monty - known affectionately as Monty Moonshine by other musicians - was a great player and a great character with a fund of stories. I last played with him at a lunchtime session at the Middelburg Jazz Festival in Holland around 1980 or so and, after the music, we sat around a table in the empty concert hall while he regaled us with story after story. And has us all in stitches.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:11 AM

This to me was a magical song when Monty was with Chris Barber, and definately one I have played through the years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZcflHo8IjI

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:27 AM

And here's Monty in action from 1994 - playing a great arrangement of The Isle Of Capri.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: framus
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 12:40 PM

I met the man in the seventies playing with Geordie Chambers and the Apex in Belfast. Lovely bloke, who autographed my "Magic is the Moonlight" - I still play it!
Davy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 01:19 PM

I loved his style of music. Saw him several times years ago with the Barber Band. Thanks for the link Will. All the all tradmen of my younger days are fading away.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 01:22 PM

Sad news indeed.
RIP Monty.

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 01:23 PM

What is important [imo] is his understanding of the beauty of simplicity, his playing was tasteful, unlike some modern jazzers who think that the more notes you cram into a solo the better

Subject: RE: Obit: Monty Sunshine
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 03:03 PM

Totally agree with you there GSS