COLYER, Ken.

Description

Musikhalle, Hamburg November 1975 concert poster (Zrocke)

Original first printing concert poster advertising Ken Colyer’s All Star Jazzmen at the Musikhalle in Hamburg [Germany] on Wednesday, 12th November, 1975, presented by Karsten Jahnke. Colyer was touring Germany in support of the I want To Be Happy album, accompanied by an all star ensemble that featured clarinetist Gerry Turnham, trombonist Len Baldwin, double bassist Annie Hawkins, banjo player Bill Stotesbury, and drummer Paul Rosenberg. As a devoted supporter of the traditional New Orleans jazz revival, Colyer 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 Paul-Helmut Zrocke, with the artist’s imprint to the bottom left corner. Printed by F. Bahruth, Reinbek, with the printer’s imprint to the bottom right corner.

The poster measures 59.3 x 83.9 cm (approx. 23.3″ by 33″ inches) and is beautifully printed on thin, coated paper stock. Faint horizontal crease to the middle, else in remarkably near excellent condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.