Charlie Gall, trumpeter and co-founder of Clyde Valley Stompers

Published on Friday 23 October 2009 22:10

Born: 7 January, 1935 in Glasgow. Died: 10 October, 2009, in Georgetown, Ontario, aged 74.

IN 1927, the sound of jazz changed when Louis Armstrong hit the opening notes of West End Blues in his own style and these became the best known and loved opening notes of any tune then or since. According to purists and experts, the closest, anyone came to the great man were those of Glasgow-born Charlie Gall almost 25 years later.

He was a cornet and trumpet player of the highest order in his time. He began playing with the Boys' Brigade and later became a founder member of the world-renowned Clyde Valley Stompers.

But it wasn't just in his native Scotland that he built a following.

In London, he formed the Charlie Gall Jazzmen, and after moving to Canada, he went on to create the Toronto Metro Stompers, with fellow Scot Jim McHarg, amongst other jazz bands of Traditional New Orleans style.

He was known throughout North America as Dr McJazz, the name of another of his bands.

They were the resident weekend band at Toronto's Chelsea Inn, and also performed regularly on the Peter Appleyard Presents television show.

A highlight of his career was playing as opener for his hero/mentor Louis Armstrong in Glasgow, when Charlie was only 17, and receiving some pointers from the great man. A treasured memory was retained for Charlie in the autographed photograph of them both together.

Another highlight was several live performances recorded alongside blues legend Lonnie Johnson in Toronto, which came out on the Columbia record label.

In Liverpool's Cavern club, a soon-to-be-famous group opened for his jazzmen – the Quarrymen, who were later known as the Beatles.

Charlie, whose other heroes included Muggsy Spanier, Wild Bill Davison, Alex Welsh, and Humphrey Lyttleton, gave his last public performance in Toronto's Plaza Hotel in 1996. His final tune was That's my home.

In addition to playing music, Charlie was the unofficial expert on artists performing rights. He worked with SOCAN, the Canadian society, and knew more about rights than anyone in the field.

Charlie was a fervent Scottish patriot, with typical Scottish humour, and his daily speech regaled one and all with many Scottish, and particularly Glasgow, phrases. He also made sure his children and grandchildren were aware of their background at all times.

Charlie died in his local hospital in Georgetown, a small, thriving town north-west of Toronto A memorial service, full of both sadness and humour, was attended by many friends and fellow performers past and present. His last foundlings – The Hot Five Jazzmakers – played a few selections. There was also a recorded live performance of Charlie playing Tres Moutarde which brought memories of a great player to life.

He is survived by his wife Rita, son "Chip" ("a rock musician wha canny play", his father often said), daughter Caroline son-in-law Robert and grandson Robert.