Alan Haven on Manchesterbeat - the group and music scene of Manchester in the 60s

Alan Haven

Alan Haven became a professional musician on leaving school in Prestwich Manchester around the mid 1950's.

Largely self taught apart from a six month course in theory and harmony he found himself playing piano at venues like "The Ritz Ballroom" Manchester for Mecca Leisure.

He then discovered the electric organ.

Alan bought a Lowrey Heritage organ with Leslie speakers and rehearsed for months. At first a novelty, his use of organ in jazz soon established him as a greatly respected jazz musician and all this happened when he was in his early twenItes. He then teamed up with drummer Tony Crombie and together they played and recorded their brand of jazz for many years.

In years to come Alan was to play with the likes of Ben Webster, Maynard Ferguson, Ronnie Scott, Stephan Grappelli and countless other famous names in jazz. He played on the soundtracks of two James Bond films "Goldfinger" and "From Russia with Love" and appeared on many TV shows in England and the US.

During the 1960s he recorded "Image" a sophisticated laid back track which which was used as DJ Bob Stewart's theme tune on "Radio Caroline", later Tony Blackburn also used it on his radio programme.

The track became an anthem in discotheques around the world. Both Dave Eager and Jimmy Savile used to close off the evening with the track.

Alan is the organ masterforce behind the score to the film "The Knack and how to get it" composed by John Barry in 1965.

He did more organ work on a black comedy entitled "A Jolly Bad Fellow" (They All Died Laughing) also by Barry.

He was resident organ player at Annie Ross' London jazz club called Annie's Room during the 1960s. He recorded 'Live At Annie's Room' (Fontana, 1966) as well as a number of cover versions on 'Through 'til Two' (Fontana, 1967)

During the 1980's/90's Alan was based mostly in Spain playing at corporate events and organ fesyvals in Torremolinos night clubs.

Over 14 albums later, Alan Haven is still living and playing his music around the world. He has just completed a new album based on "The Big Band Sounds" of Count Basie, etc.

Alan has his own website - www.alanhaven.com/

Memories

Alan used to play turnaround band at Bolton Palais in late 59/60. There was a revolving stage and the big band played their set and then the stage turned arround and on came the Alan Haven Trio, who were really brilliant.

If I am not mistaken he used to wear leopardskin coat and it really caught the eye.

Good on ya mate,glad to see you are still playing.

cheers,

Ronnie Carr

When I was a fixture at the Palace Theatre Club in Offerton, Alan used to sometimes drop in. He was promoting Lowery Organs at the time and in fact Pete Marsh, our organist at the Palace, ended up buying one. Lowery were trying for a slice of the Hammond B3 market and model that Pete bought had a built-in Lesley speaker and made an acceptable Hammond sound. As far as Mal the drummer and I were concerned, the best thing about Alan's visits was that he would take over from Pete on the organ bench and we'd play some jazz. Pete was a great musician but by his own admission, he was no jazzer. To Mal and I, Alan was as good as Jimmy Smith or Brother Jack McDuff.

Pete Crooks
20/4/10

I saw Alan with Tony Crombie at the Amber Moon Club in Manchester around 1965. I was also a big Jimmy Smith fan at the time and appreciated Alan's different sound, being Lowry rather than the ubiquitous Hammond.

I also had his record of "Image" and also a vocal version of "In my mother's eyes" although the singing was (sorry) not so hot. Still his organ playing more than compensates! Good to hear he is still playing.

Bob Ainsworth
21/10/10

Myself and my wife remember with great fondness the fabulous saturday nights at the Bolton Palais when Phil Moss was resident band! Alan Haven was the hightlight of the night, taking and playing requests, along with singer {very tall girl whos name escapes me}

This is where Ii met my wife after one of our beer fueled nights out [all my mates from Kearsley used to get the bus from the Blackhorse Pub in Farnworth] and hit about 10 pubs from the Balmoral opposite the Odeon [New Zealand Chief, Wheatsheaf, back to Swan Tap etc terminating at the Peel.

Brian Nuttall
29/12/10

I have always been a great fan Alan Haven from the early days in the sixties and always enjoyed his giging sessions on tour whenever I got the chance to see him perform down in the London area.

Being a keen organist myself he inspired me into developing my own style - but alas, I was never able to reach the extremity Alan could put his Lowery Heritage through - even though I purchased the same model which he used I could never get mine to perform in the same way. I'm sure it was me not the organ. This brings me onto the point I really want to make 'Alan, please go back to how you used to perform'. Okay, one has to develope with the times I suppose but for me Alan Haven could make that Ol' Heritage talk, sing, shout, go soft, go loud.

He could get anything out of that 'Victorian Clothes Closet' (To quote Spike Milligan's sleeve note on St Elmo's Fire) refering to the Leslie Cab.

It's not the same anymore with all these added backing tracks - give me the good ol' Alan Haven Trio anyday like with Robin Jones on drums - Tony Utar on added percussion and his Lordship Captain Alan at the helm. Alan is still one of our greatest jazz organist and he can provide great music without all these super sonic add on things. Even I sound good with those. Alan can actually play foot bass pedals like a bass player so 'Who needs Jack Bruce' as over heard at the Bull's Head at Barns Bridge at one session.

No need to practise anymore Alan.

You are still the greatest of the 'steam organ'.

Denny
7/7/11


	Can you add more to this page? If so, CLICK HERE!!

	Copyright © manchesterbeat.com All rights reserved. Unauthorized use of any content is strictly prohibited . Please read our Disclaimer/Copyright Notice