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Colin Chapman - Saxophonist?


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#1 mariner

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Posted 02 April 2021 - 08:51

Asa keen Lotus  fan I have read many articles about Colin Chapman so  an article in my local club newsletter surprised me.

 

It was reprint of an article about Joe Bowles who had a long association with Motor Sport starting  at Bentley pre WW2. As early 750MCmember living in North London area he met Colin Chapman who used the lathe and welding set in his garage late at night according to his story.

 

He mentions Chapman as " a young engineering student and keen saxophonist " whose fiance Hazel would sit in this living room knitting while Colin Chapman worked in the garage next door.

 

That Chapman was " keen saxophonist" is something I have never read before in all the biographies etc.

 

Any thoughts?



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#2 Doug Nye

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 09:33

I vaguely recall someone - maybe Les Leston (?) - making pretty disparaging comments about ACBC's musical aspirations.  For some reason, during the early 1950s the saxophone seems to have been quite an aspirational instrument for even the most casual of jazz fans. Jenks was one who certainly had a saxophone and aspired to play it.  Badly.    :cool:

 

DCN



#3 Alan Lewis

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 11:21

Coincidentally, I'm re-reading the Spike Milligan war diaries, as I do every couple of years or so, and this very morning reached the point in the summer of 1943 where Spike's lifelong friend Harry Edginton had "found" a baritone sax.

"He made a few noises and announced: 'I just played "I Got a Girl from Kalamazoo".'

'You sure she's not in Whipsnade?'"

#4 Allan Lupton

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 11:36

perhaps I should remind you that the saxophone was described as "An ill wind nobody blows good"



#5 cpbell

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 12:34

Coincidentally, I'm re-reading the Spike Milligan war diaries, as I do every couple of years or so, and this very morning reached the point in the summer of 1943 where Spike's lifelong friend Harry Edginton had "found" a baritone sax.

"He made a few noises and announced: 'I just played "I Got a Girl from Kalamazoo".'

'You sure she's not in Whipsnade?'"

I should have known a Spike reference would be made in TNF again!  Been a while since I've read that volume.



#6 doc knutsen

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 13:11

perhaps I should remind you that the saxophone was described as "An ill wind nobody blows good"

Two words: "Dexter" and " Gordon". Nuff said.



#7 brakedisc

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 15:58

Very surprised by this suggestion. I always thought Chapman was good at blowing his own trumpet.   :lol:



#8 nicanary

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 16:50

I still reckon they've confused Chunky with Bob Holness......... :lol:



#9 Bloggsworth

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Posted 03 April 2021 - 22:57

Asa keen Lotus  fan I have read many articles about Colin Chapman so  an article in my local club newsletter surprised me.

 

It was reprint of an article about Joe Bowles who had a long association with Motor Sport starting  at Bentley pre WW2. As early 750MCmember living in North London area he met Colin Chapman who used the lathe and welding set in his garage late at night according to his story.

 

He mentions Chapman as " a young engineering student and keen saxophonist " whose fiance Hazel would sit in this living room knitting while Colin Chapman worked in the garage next door.

 

That Chapman was " keen saxophonist" is something I have never read before in all the biographies etc.

 

Any thoughts?

I think you meant to post this on April 1st...



#10 Vitesse2

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Posted 04 April 2021 - 10:25

perhaps I should remind you that the saxophone was described as "An ill wind nobody blows good"

Fits neatly alongside the definition of a Scots gentleman being one who knows how to play the bagpipes, but doesn't.



#11 Zmeej

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Posted 05 April 2021 - 00:27

Two words: "Dexter" and " Gordon". Nuff said.

 

Sure. :up:

 

The two words could also have been “Lester” and “Young,” or “Charlie” and “Parker,” or “John” and “Coltrane,” and so on... :cool:



#12 Roger Clark

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Posted 05 April 2021 - 07:28

Not just saxes:

 

The oboe's a horn made of wood.

I'd play you a tune if I could,
But the reeds are a  pain,
And the fingering's insane.
It's the ill wind that no one blows good.

 

Ogden Nash



#13 Perruqueporte

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Posted 05 April 2021 - 07:33

perhaps I should remind you that the saxophone was described as "An ill wind nobody blows good"

That’s actually a misquote - it is what Duke Ellington was supposed to have said about the bagpipes.

Christopher W.

Edited by Perruqueporte, 05 April 2021 - 07:52.


#14 Doug Nye

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Posted 05 April 2021 - 07:35

 

I vaguely recall someone - maybe Les Leston (?) - making pretty disparaging comments about ACBC's musical aspirations.  For some reason, during the early 1950s the saxophone seems to have been quite an aspirational instrument for even the most casual of jazz fans. Jenks was one who certainly had a saxophone and aspired to play it.  Badly.    :cool:

 

DCN

 

 

The last sentence of the above is utter twaddle.  Jenks had a CLARINET...  A blinding light moment just this instant. 

 

DCN


Edited by Doug Nye, 05 April 2021 - 14:41.


#15 doc knutsen

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Posted 05 April 2021 - 09:35

Sure. :up:

 

The two words could also have been “Lester” and “Young,” or “Charlie” and “Parker,” or “John” and “Coltrane,” and so on... :cool:

And, to bring this back on-topic: "Coleman" and "Hawkins".  I understand he was a fan of the 12 heures du Sebring!