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| When: | |
Saturday 05 July 2008 at 19:30 |
| Where: | |
St Peter's Church, Kinver |
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| Concert Title: | |
Classical Banjo Concert in memory of Joe Morley |
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| Performers: | |
Danielle Saxon-Reeves, guitar Douglas Back, banjo |
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| Note: | |
A concert in celebration of Joe Morley is to be held in St Peter’s Church. It is believed that Joe Morley was born in Kinver on December 3, 1867, but this in unable to be confirmed because of the unfortunate circumstances of his birth. His father, a married man, had an illicit association with a Miss Maxwell and Joseph (Joe) was the result of this union. It is not known how the baby was cared for at birth, but apparently at an early age, his father took the young son into his household. (It is known that Mr & Mrs Morley had a son and daughter at least but whether these children were born before Joe is not known.) Mr Morley appears to have learned his living by playing the concertina in the streets (a professional busker!); and when Joe was about five years of age, he was accompanying his father on his itinerant excursions. There is concrete evidence that the Morleys (father and son) were performing outside public houses in Salisbury, Wilts. In the year 1872. The little boy was dressed in jacket and knickerbockers (with stockings encircled by red and black bands) and he danced to his father’s tunes. After performing, the Morleys would take a collection (bottling, as it is known in busking circles) and then move on to another pitch. About 1887, the elder Morley was shown an old banjo in one of the inns he visited. (It had been left by a strolling minstrel in lieu of payment.) He bought it for a fewe shillings and gave it to his son. It was an old fashioned, with seven-string smooth-arm, instrument with push-in pegs, but to the young lad, it was something marvellous. In a short time he was plucking simple tunes from it. Encouraged by his father, Joe purchased books on music and second-hand musical scores and, with their aid, essayed to become a composer inventing his own finger technique on the banjo. And so began the career of Joe Morley. The name Joe Morley is synonymous with our understanding and appreciation of the English banjo scene as it was and is today. His name is the equivalent of Caruso’s to and opera devotee, Segovia’s to the guitar fraternity or Mehuhin to the violin. Praise indeed! Joe Morley’s total devotion to the banjo ensured that to the banjo fraternity throughout successive generations, his name remained un-forgotten. Certainly, his enduring legacy is a large collection of unique compositions for the banjo, coupled with a style of playing upon a very special type of banjo created by his good friend, Alfred Weaver. Danielle Saxon Reeves, founder and musical director of the Midlands Fretted Orchestra (winners of the Federation Cup for Musicianship at the British BMG Federation 2008 Rally held in Glasgow) wanted to put on a concert In celebration of Joe Morley in his home village. She will be accompanied by Douglas Back (U.S.A) and we trust you will want to come for what will sure to be a fascinating and enjoyable evening. |
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| Ticket Prices: | |
£7.50 (Ticket price includes refreshments) - Tickets available from 01384 877780, 01384 878021 or on the door |
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| Web Links: | |
Venue |
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| Venue: | |
St Peter's Church Church Hill Kinver Staffordshire DY7 England |
| Email: | |
BTYBALTB@aol.com |
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| Disclaimer: | |
We endeavour to supply full and accurate information but cannot be held responsible for any errors. Please check with the ticket vendor. |
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©2008 Concert Diary Ltd. The interactive Concert Guide specialising in listings for Opera, Ballet and Classical Music Concerts across the UK. | |
