Obit: Tony Goldsmith (piano) 1946-2012

Subject: Obit Tony Goldsmith (piano_) 1946-2012
From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:12 AM

Sad to report Tony Goldsmith (pianist) died on 19th January (age 65) after 12 months battling cancer. in 50 years of music Tony played in various bands and styles. He was at his best playing a slow blues, up-tempo boogie or jazz-stride piano, but could accompany ballads such as "Raglan Road" with great sensitivity. One of his early bands was Sunday St. Petersburg (1967) with the late singer Alan Briars (who later ran the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival). I first met Tony at the Fuddling Folk Club at the Prince of Wales, Hampton Wick in 1984. With me he joined Terrapin Station, who did several gigs at SW London folk clubs. Then we started Pigfoot, playing not only London and the home counties but also South Wales (two years running at the Pontardawe Festival) and Amsterdam, plus broadcasta on BBC Radio Kent and BBC Greater London Radio. Tony's day-job meant a move to Devizes (Wiltshire) in 1989 and fewer Pigfoot gigs.
However, he reunited with Alan Briars in The Jelly Roll Boys and Tinker's Cuss. After Alan's death, Tony formed several other bands
including the Tony Goldsmith Blues Band and The Blue Lizard Kings
(playing a mix of Irish tunes and jazz standards). It was in this latter group that he played his very last gig in July 2011 at the Marlborough Jazz featival.
Funeral on Wednesday 1st February at St. John's Church, Devizes (2pm).

Dave Illingworth

Subject: RE: Obit: Tony Goldsmith (piano) 1946-2012
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 10:38 AM

VERY fond memories of Tony with Pigfoot - I was an occasional pigfoot for a while - A lovely chord cushion to improvise on with Tony and Dave.
And I still do his setting of 'A Pint of Plain' regularly .

RIP Tony >

Subject: RE: Obit: Tony Goldsmith (piano) 1946-2012
From: G-Force
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 11:24 AM

Oh God, now that is a shame. Remember Pigfoot very fondly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tony Goldsmith (piano) 1946-2012
From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 02:46 PM

Thanks Terry (Leadfingers) for your fine tin-whistle contribution to the Pigfoot story - one of eight esteemed sidemen over the 25 year period, not counting all the other musicians who sat in with us.
That piano will certainly be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tony Goldsmith (piano) 1946-2012
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 05:16 PM

Sad news indeed. I've added Tony to the "In Memoriam" Thread.

Best wishes,

Peter