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RECENT DONATIONS

NUNIBER I O

JANUARY 2001

As mentioned elsewhere in this

issue, Ron Halstead bequeathedhis entire jazz collection to theArchive, which comprised over1000 LPs, 1/7 EPs, 108 CDS,24778rpm, 50 reel to reel tapes ,289 cassette tapes, I 09 DATtapes, books, photos, soundequipment including a portableDAT recorder and microphonesThere is even a wonderful staineof Louis! Because of Ron'sinvolvement with the West Coast

traditional style jazz, hiscollection would represent one ofthe most comprehensivecollections of that style of jazzfound anywhere. Apart fromissued material there is a greatdeal of private recordings ofTurk Mumhy and the Salty Dogsfurlongst the reel to reel tapes aresome gems, including the LenBarnard band recording at Ron'shome, and Duke EllingtonAustralian tour concerts

Dione Mcfrityre has donatedtwo issues of the Us music

inagarrrie "Etude" dated Augustand September 1924, where thereare special articles on "Is JazzRimntig American Music?" bymany classical musicians andcomposers of the time, and areply by our own Percy GramgerFascinating reading and materialthat is wortti investigating for aresearch project Anyoneinterested?

Diana Allen and Graeme Belldonated the black & white slides

YJ^^^,.!2:2QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF T}IE VICTORIAN JAZZ ARC}Uus

PATRON : Wit, LIAM H A^LER M. A. BC. L. (OXON. )REGISTERED OFFICE: 12 HoivreWooD COURT RosinvNA VICTORIA 3084

PO Box 442 As}IBURTON vic 3I 47REGISTERED NO A0033964L ABN. 5353i 132426

EDITOR: loan RmPn4 PO Box 150 FOREST IruL vic 3131

CentreTHE FOURTH A. G. M We also noted with

pleasure the award of $60,000 toSADNESS AND SUCCESSThe fourth A. G. M. of the Man Browne for the Australia

Victorian Jazz Archive Council's Don Banks Awardon a

warniish Sunday, 26th November At this juncture John Kerinedyat Waridriia, was held in the expanded on the achievements ofshadow of the loss of our key 2000 in his report of the Committteemember and friend, Ron of ManagernentHalstead. His great contribution After the fomial business of

is recorded in an obituary in this presentation and adoption of theAt the same time the financial statement the officersIssue

coriumittee were quite taken aback and committee of the Archive wereby Ron's great thoughthilness and elected. We were sony to note thatgenerosity in bequeathing to the Margaret anderson had to leaveArchive not only his marveMous the coinnxittee in 11glit of her newcollection, but also a large capital workload as Secretary to thesum of $20,000 Victorian Jazz Club. Titn Harding

In my brief welcoming address I also resigned because of worknot only mentioned this pressure. New comintttee memberunexpected gift, but also the elected was Kim Hims, whilstsuccess that has been achieved by since this meeting Bill ArmstrongRon, along with David Ward and has sigyified his willingness to joinJohn Kerniedy in the two awards the comumtteefor "Acetate Action" In conclusion I thanked allour

initiative. These are the Museums members for attending and for theirAustralia (Victoria) Conservation support, and again recorded ourAward (prt^e $1500) and the great debt to John Kerinedy,National Australia Bank particularly with regard to the extraCoriumuntty Link State Award for work load of the ExhibitionConservation and Heritage Dr Ray Marginson, Chadnan($5,000 and trophy).

short; IProceedingsemphasised we were still on alaitfe edge financially, with only amembership of 150, but thecoriumttee was setong out aprogram to make the Archivemore sustainable. . Our thanks to

Margaret Marshall, Curator of theExhibition about to open, were

recorded. It was agreed howfortunate we are in Melbourne to

have a body like the PertomtingArts Museum and a vigorous Arts

,

To PAGE 3 coLulvnii 3

were ENJOY WATCHmG VinEOS?

Wanted, the services of a member who

would be willing to be responsible for theVJA's video collection.

There are about 80 videos catalogued inour collection and each needs to be

viewed so as to time each sequence, listpersonnel and venues etc for listing inthe data base. A cushy job, as you canwork at your own pace, and we supply a

ofnice armchair and unlimited cupscoffee.

mrsRESTED?

Phone John Kennedy

OBITUARY

ALLAN LEAKE by Tom Wariliss

Allan Leake, one of the mostsignificant figures in Victorian andlater Queensland jazz, died in theGold Coast on 9'' December, 2000Suffering from a rare respiratorycondition for most of his life, hehad fought a courageous battleagalnst the illness

Allan was born in Preston on 16thAugust, 1935, and was educated atNomicote Higli School and RMI.T. where he completed a SurveyDrafting Certificate. He worked forthe Tides Office and the CountryRoads Board for a total of twentyyears before resigixing in 1979 tobecome a full tone musician. Hefirst became interested in Jazz

thro"gll Eric Child's "RhythmUnlimited" and other radio

programs. Learning piano as achild helped to provide musicalkilowledge which assisted in hismusical career

A friendship with Frank TurviUe,who also worked at the Trues

Office led him to buying a set ofdrums in 1954, joining the SouthernCity Seven, led by Frank. Allantook over the leadership whenFrank went overseas. Allan recalled

the difficulties in moving a drum kitby public transport from Preston tothe band's gig at AspendaleFollowing the break up of hisgoup he joined Max Corrie's JazzKings for a period before ionxing aco-operative band named Opus,which included thumpeter TonyNewstead and other well knownMeIboume musicians, This lead tothe fonnation of the Jazzinakers in

the early 1960's, a group originallyled by Max Come, then by PaulMartin, and eventually Allan Leake

In 1968 the Victorian Jazz Club

was established to stimulate jazz inMeIboume and Allan was heavilyinvolved in it's activities. At aboutthe same time he fonned the

Stonyille Jaznnen The two

bodies worked closely together and

the band played twice a week atthe Prospect finl Hotel in KGw,and one night - Friday - at theManor House Hotel in the cityThe Friday wiglit gig becameknown as the Stonyille Club andcontinued for twelve years

surely a record tenn for any jazzband. The band attracted a loyaland kilowledgeable group of jazzlovers who comprised most of theaudierice. The band was a co-

operative with Allan as leader,referring to it as a bonevolentdictatorship Assistance was

provided in various ways byenthusiastic supporters includingAllari's wife Jean. The band

consisted of eight membersincluding four in the front fine andcould be Gategorised a mallstream

New tunes weregroup.introduced each week and the

mombers, particularly Anali, had astrong af^ty with the music ofDuke Errington

in 1975, several members leftthe band for a variety of reasonsand a leaner group of six memberswas fonned under the new title of

the StonyiMe All Stars. Followinga precedent aria ging in the USAin 1976, Allan and Jean decided tomm a Jazz Party at the Park RoyalMotor kin. These ran from Fridaynight to Sunday afternoon and toptraditional and manstream jazzmusicians from all over Australia

were invited together with payingfans all. Thisguests Jazz

function was held on five

occasions between 1976 to 1980,and successful bothwere very

musicalIy and socially. ETic Childwas the Jazz Party Patron andalways spoke enthusiasticallyabout the events, as did Ian NGill,another ABC jazz presenter whoattended

Between 1983 and 1986 the

Stonyille All Stars, with manychanges in personnel, played atBanjo's in Nomi Melbourne,before and after the floor show

2

This gave Allan the inspiration tofomi ajazz repertory company, usingthe band plus Dave Hims gave Allanthe inspiration to fonn a jazzrepertory company, using the bandplus Dave Hethechigton, Carol Harrisand Beverley Sheehan; Beverley hadbeen the band's vocalist for a fewyears, In 1985 and 1986 theMelbourne Jazz Repertory Companypresented five shows at a theatrerestaurant in Glenfeixie. Allan

produced these shows in conjunctionwith Roger Hudson, who diedtragically during the LouisAlmsti'orig show in July 1986. TheS toryville group roc ordedprolifically , and in addition Manfonned the Jazznote record label

with several friends for the purposeof recording working Australian jazzbands of the 1970's with over tinttyLPs produced

in 1990 Man moved to the GoldCoast for health reasons and soon

formed the Stonyille Jazztet,comprising other musicians who hadmoved North, including LachieThornpsoii, Hans Karssemeyer andVoni Moore. This madegroup

regular tours to the other States andadded other musicians for the tour,such as Bob Bariumd and BeverleySheehan. The repertory conceptcontinued in Queensland, with Arianproducing a further twenty shows

Allan was theFor several years

Musical Director of the very popularMontsalvat Jazz Festival which

attracted large crowds over theAustralia Day weekend. He also washeavily involved in the organisationof the annual Gold Coast Jazz

Festival and was san participating inthe 2000 Festival despite declininghealth

For his contribution to jazz Allanreceived an Order of Australia, thusjoining Graeme Bell, AdeMonsbourgli and Don Borrows inreceiving his award

Allan was bined at the Gold Coast

after a funeral service attended by aTo PAGE 3 CoLulvmq' s

Re^Ig to Australia in 1945 , heOBITUARYresumed his friendship with the BellsLoll SLBEREisEN

d became the bass playerby Tom Wariliss. a n

Lou Silbereiseii, the bass player for the band. For several hectic yearsof the Graeme Ben's Australian he was a full mile musician in theJazz Band died at his Beatmiaris band's overseas and Australian tours,home on 11th December, 2000. which included a considerable amountHe was only two months short of of recording. in those heady days, Louhis 85th birthday was an important member of the

At the funeral the remarkable rhythm section, but seldom had theGraeme Bell now aged 87, who OPPortiimty to solo. Nevertheless hehad travelled doom from Sydney won the basa'tuba category in thefor the occasion, said that Lou was Music Maker poll of 1952. The Bellthe complete geritlernan. in a Band eventually broke up in June,letter to me Ade Monsboiirgli 1952, weary of the incessantmade exactly the salne comment. travellingGranme also praised Lou's abitity Lou's days as a full time musicianin the rhyllim section of the band, were now over, but he continued on awhere he mantalned a steady part time basis and over the years

played with a number of groups thatconsistant beat

Born in Sebastopol, a suburb of included:- The Baron's FootwarmersBallarat, on the 25th February, (his own group) - Roger Ben's Pagan19/6, Lou and his parerits moved Pipers - Llew Hitd's New Oneansto Queenscliffin 19/8. At an early Jazz Band Max Come's Jazz

age he heard records of Kings - Dave White's Quartet and theArmstrong, Ellington and Tramway's Parade Jazz Band. ForBeiderbecke, and took piano some years in the 1980's he led alessons. Moving to Melbourne in quartet at the Rosstown Hotel,1936, he joined the Melbourne Carnegie, and it was appropriate thatSwing Club and fistened to his wake was held at that hotelimprovised jazz from Bamy Lou was a very keen sador, being aFeatherstone and others at the member of the Sandringliam YachtFawkner Park Kiosk. At his time Club for many years, and on onehe met Bud and Harry Baker, also occasion won the 14foot AustralianPixie Roberts, then subsequently Championship. He also built severalthe Bell brothers and Ade of his own boats. A devoted man, LouMonsbourgli. A group was is sumived by his wife Audrey,formed, and as a bass player was daugliter Vicky and two grandchildrenrequired Lou accepted the post His son Karl was tragically killed in aand bought a bass from John road acciderit some years agoClonens. in an interview with The Victorian Jazz Archive salutes

ETic Brown for the Australian Jazz one of the gentlernen of jazz - LouInterviews Project, Lou said that (The Baron) SIIbereisenhe learnt to play from a bookunitten by Bob Haggart - the BobCTosby bassist. Granme Bell,however thinks that Lou was

taught by Errtie TougliAt the outbreak of war, Louelmsted in the RAAF. He was not

accepted for air crew, but wasrecrulted as an electrical fitterBetween 1941 and 1945 he served

in the Middle East and England,where he played some music.

ALLAFILEAKEFROM PAGE 2 coLulv"13

number of people including manyfrom Melbourne. Two days later awake was held at the RosstownHotel with many musicians

atlanding who had been involvedwith Allan's bands. Don Anderson

and John Adams spoke movingIy oftheir long relationships with Allan,and Jean Leake exhibited a board

with numerous photographs andmemorabiha. The death notice in

the Melbourne papers ended with alovely touch - "Time to take the Atram" He would have approved ofthat

RECENT DONATIONSFROM PAGE I

seen at the Exhibition, winst eachdonated other material, includingphotos and pmited material (Diana),and an award "King Of Jazz -FETP -1976" and an etching of the Eureka

Jess VincentHall from Oraeme

donated the two photos of WinieMchityre as seen in the Exhibition

Maorie Garbutt has donated a copyof the Yama Yama Reunion Band as

a tribute to Roger lanes. Tnn

Stovens has donated a copy of hisPhD thesis "The Origins,Development and Significance of theRed onion Jazz Band 1960-1996"Ross Anderson has donated an oil

panting by Leanme Walker ofStephan Grappelli and WesMontgomery. Barney Govan-Slimthleft us 6 photos and a book by AndyKitk. Koith Anims a photo of theCamellia Quartet. kick Farbach ofTrewantin, Qld foiwarded his book"Cleftomaiiia" (which is avatlablefrom the Archive) and a CD of bandswith which he has been associated

Fred Parkes has forwarded a CDR

of his playing with Art Hodes at the1985 Ballarat Convention, includriigunissued tracks. Ron lobe sent us

photos he took at the opening nightof the Exhibition. Dr James Mime,via Ray Marginson, donated 5 boxesof 78s

LOOKS COOL, SOUNDS HOT

The Pertonning Arts MuseunVVJAjazz exhibition was opened byGraeme Bell on 30 November 2000

Graeme expressed his enthusiasm forthe sights and sounds of the exhibi-tion, which has been drawing verygood crowds. It will be open until25February at the St Kilda Road Galleryof the Arts Centre, Adinission is free

3

TRIBUTE To RON

11ALSTEAD

by John Kennedy

Ronald James William

Hatstead was born in Balwyn,MeIboume on February 16th1935, to parents Jim and LeilaHalstead. He attended DecoderIePrimary School, and later theBox HIM Techntcal School. in

his younger days Ron wasfascinated with model aeroplanesand spent many hours bulldingand flying his own creationsLater he be canIe interested in

cricket and for a number of yearsplayed with the DeepdeneMethodist cricket team as a wilyspin bowler.Ron joined the PMG's

Departirient to do a five yearTechimcian in Training course in1951. As part of that tramtiiig hespent some time at the ABCradio studios MeIboumein

leaninig the cogineering side ofsound recording andbroadcasting. On completion ofthis tradting he specialised inmicrowave and mobile radio

transimssion systerns. In 1956he met Bill Armstr orig, notedrecording engineer, who wasworking as a Balance Officer forthe ABC. Ron had experiencewith the ABC internal and

Outside Broadcast Units,recording diverse types ofmusical pertomnances. He leftthe ABC to resume his Radio

Transmission career, becomingPrincipal Techntcal Officer withTelstra in the Radio DesignSection

His interest in jazz started about

1956 and his collection became the basis of the "Acetategrew

quickly to in excess of 1500 LPs, Action" initiative. After the78rpiii, then later Reel to Reel death of Doll, he formulated withtapes and finally DAT tapes and Dave Ward the procedures forCompact Discs. 1963 - 1965 saw the transfer of sound recordingshim working on a jazz!'blues to archival CD-R discs, whichprogram from 3CS Colac, and he with his vast experience in soundalso worked with Roger Benby at recording ensured that the3CR, where he helped with the Archive had best availabletechnical desigy. in the bunchig of equipment including DATthe station recorders and CR Burners

On a trip overseas in 1970 he * Ron and Dave Ward were thekey players in the applications toMuseums Australia and theNational Australia Bank for theconservation awards built aroundthe "Acetate Action" tinttiative. Itwas at the National Australia

Bank Coriumuntty Link nationalawards presentation on 26October, 2000 that Roncottapsed from .a heart attack,subsequently succumbing tofurther attack on 8'' Novanber inSt Vincerit's Hospital

Ron is sorely nitssed by hisfriends and coneagues at theArchive, for it was his sonse ofhumour, his willingness to helpwith any project and above allhis statore as the "go to man"that helped made the Archive runsmoothly, and a pleasant place towork. We caromly won't forgetyou Ron

became acquainted with many Usand us musicians and bands,including Duke Errington, TurkMumhy and Chis Barber. He wasa sound assistant on the Duke

Elmigton' s last tour of Australia,traveUrng with them from Pathtlirougli to Brisbane. furlongst hisbequest are tapes of the EUingtonAustralian concerts and interviewswith the Duke's musicians. He

promoted the tour of TurkMumhy's Jazz Band in 1978. Thesame year Bill Armstrong askedRon to assist him with his

Jazz&Jazz label, commoncing torecord and produce nearly all theJazz&:Jazz records, as well asrecording and producing recordsfor other labels such as Swaggieand Roseleaf, then worked withBin Armstrong remixirig and re-collating earlier material for CDrelease

Ron was a foundation memberof the Victorian Jazz Archive

committee, being instrumental inthe setting up and insinuation ofthe 11Nagic Museum Data Base,and the computer programs usedthroughout the Archive. Heworked with his foald DonBoardinan with the initial transfer

of acetate recordings that later

t,

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BACK To GETiXER AGAINbv Jack Mitehe"

The story of the Port Jackson Jaz Band89 pages, photos and

discography$22.00 incl GST

Pack & Post $4.00

BOOKS FOR SALE

VICTOR^N JAZZ ARC^ Inc.REPOSITORY & OFFICE

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