On a beautiful Cornish summer day, in the Glynn Valley, we said farewell to Ian Wheeler, musician and inspiration to many. He seemed to be part of our youth and I remember listening to him at the St. Albans Jazz Club when he was a member of the great Ken Colyer Jazzmen. I did not know him then, I was 17 and he was old, he must have been nearly 30 by then! Over the years Ian went on to form his own band and then joined Chris Barber, a band he was with for over 25 years and this took him to international acclaim. After making many recordings and a career in music that took him all over the world he stepped down from the Barber band and returned to his home in the fishing port of Polperro. Over the last few years Ian played more locally and on many occasions I was able to book him with my band. At his funeral his son, Chris, spoke of a loving father, a great musician and a person that was enthusiastic about everthing he did from his jazz to becoming a pilot and his keen interest in model making.
The family said the funeral was to be a celebration of Ian’s life and it was. A parade band of eleven musicans, all who had played with him over the years led the cortage to the Chapel door and recordings of some of Ian´s work was played duringthe secular service. We were told that one of his favourites was the CD he made with Edmond Hall playing the tune High Society, I think Ian was part of a jazz high society, he was one of the best.
- Derek Winters, Cornwall, England
Photo: Jill Pepper
Comments