COLYER, Ken.

Description

Musikhalle, Hamburg October 1970 concert poster (Klaus Hoppe)

Original first printing concert poster advertising Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen at the Musikhalle in Hamburg [Germany] on Sunday, 25th October, 1970, presented by Karsten Jahnke. As a devoted supporter of the traditional New Orleans jazz revival, trumpeter and cornetist Ken Colyer (1928—1988) played an important role in fueling enthusiasm for the genre in his native England, beginning in the early 1950s. Colyer helped promote a rich traditional jazz movement in England, along with a related skiffle craze, which influenced many young British musicians, including future members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In England, Colyer’s unwavering devotion to traditional New Orleans jazz earned him an iconic status reflected in the nickname “Guv’nor,” British slang for “boss.” He visited New Orleans several times and played with many of the city’s jazz greats in the 1950s. In March 1953, Colyer joined a group founded by Monty Sunshine and Chris Barber that soon became Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen. By the mid 1980s, Colyer’s health began to deteriote and he left England for the South of France. After being diagnosed with stomach cancer, Colyer died quietly in his sleep on 8th March, 1988, at the age of 59. The poster features artwork by Klaus Hoppe, with the artist’s imprint to the center of the left side border. The same basic artwork was used for Colyer’s 1967 German tour.

The poster measures 58.3 x 83.9 cm (approx. 23″ by 33″ inches) and is beautifully printed in dark blue and black inks on thin, coated paper stock. Light edge wear to the upper left side border, else in excellent unfolded condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.