John
"Johnny" Macey
(Wurzel
1966-1968)
John
Macey was another Wurzel with a jazz background, a well-respected
upright acoustic bass player in the Bristol jazz scene. Along with
tuba player Brian Walker, he had played in Acker
Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band at Bristol's Crown and Dove pub;
although in jazz circles he was known as Johnny Macey. On one occasion
he was also credited by Adge as "The Man who put the 'Sod'
in Chipping Sodbury", which contradicts Adge's earlier assertion
that that man was Reg Quantrill!
We
have little information about what John actually did prior to joining
the joining Adge; but a rare 1950s British jazz revivalist EP 'New
Orleans Jam Sessions Volume 1' by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Bob
Wallis (of the Storyville Jazzmen) shows Johnny Macey playing
alongside the likes of Acker Bilk and a young Ginger Baker (who
went on to be part of Sixties rock trio Cream). He appears on Acker
Bilk's Vintage Acker Bilk CD which was recorded between
July and December 1957 for Doug Dobell's '77 Label.
He
also played with the Avon Cities Jazz Band - although
as this band has a history running from 1949 to the present day,
and involved the good and the great of Bristol jazz in its line-up
- perhaps it would be more surprising if he had not played
with them. I have no idea whether this was before or after his time
as a Wurzel. Fellow Wurzel Tony
Baylis was a member of the band, although not at the same time.
Adge
Cutler somehow managed to entice the John and Brian to become the
rhythm section of the newly formed Wurzels in 1966, and both were
involved in the legendary Royal Oak recording of the debut album.
Although Brian left soon afterwards, John remained with the band
until after the release of their follow-up album in 1968.
On
the second album where all band members were asked to contribute
their own compositions, John wrote the song Sniff Up Thy
Snuff and, with Reg Quantrill, Drunk Again.
After the release of Adge
Cutler's Family Album, John
left the Wurzels and returned to the Bristol jazz scene.
Wurzel
Discography
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