Remembering Two Giants of UK New Orleans Jazz: Brian Carrick and Pete Lay

We have only recently learned that two giants of the New Orleans Jazz scene in the UK, both with connections to our Club, died late last year.

Brian Carrick playing at Louth Jazz Club, 1989

Former Club Honorary President Brian Carrick passed away last December aged 82. Brian was an accomplished clarinettist and best known as leader of the Heritage Hall Stompers and the Algiers Stompers. His connection with our Club began in the 1980s when he met Club founder John Paddon and both discovered they had a kindred spirit in their love of New Orleans Jazz. Brian visited Louth to play at the Club on many occasions and a CD of him playing with our resident Southwold Jazz Band in Louth and Boston in January 1989 is legendary, you can view it on YouTube HERE. In 2014, he brought his band to Louth when we put on a John Paddon memorial evening, which attracted an audience of over 80! In recent years, serious health problems curtailed his playing and travelling, so those of us who saw Brian play in Louth all those years ago were fortunate indeed.

Pete Lay playing at Louth Jazz Club in 2023

Also last year, drummer and leader of the Gambit Jazz Band, Pete Lay, passed away. Pete brought his band up from Surrey to the Club as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations in 2023, watch it on YouTube HERE. Of course, Pete was well-known as editor of Just Jazz magazine, which has now sadly closed. Several of our members were regulars at the Jazz Weekends organised by Pete and his wife and of course, these too have come to an end. Geoff Mullett