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Born in Horley, Surrey in 1940, Dick Morrissey went to school in Sutton and was a self-taught musician. He began as a clarinettist in his early teens, but subsequently learned all the saxophones, plus flute. He started work in the jewellery trade but soon turned professional leading his own quartet at the Marquee Club from August, 1960 and later at the Flamingo Club. From the summer of 1961 he did a nine month season in India as part of Ashley Kozak's Quartet that included pianist Harry South. On returning to the UK he resumed with his own quartet, and for a time he was with Michael Garrick (1963), and the Harry South Big Band. He had developed a sound that was a blend of all the players who had influenced him such as Ben Webster, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Hank Mobley and Sonny Rollins. He was also considerably influenced by Tubby Hayes, but his biggest influence was Charlie Parker. It was Parker's music that set him on the path to playing bebop, music which he loved throughout his life. He is quoted as saying "Parker was a genius - that's all there is to it".He had established himself as leader at Ronnie Scott's club, working with Phil Seamen and Harry South. In 1961 he recorded his first solo album, It's Morrissey Man! By the mid-60s, though, a newer breed of musician, linked to Ornette Coleman was emerging and before his 30th birthday, he was in danger of dropping off the jazz map, perhaps resigned to a decade or more of studio anonymity. Instead, he adapted his hard, no-nonsense tones to fit various contexts of soul or jazz-rock.Mike Carr. For the next ten years or so until 1985 he worked regularly with Jim Mullen in the Morrissey-Mullen Band playing a highly successful mixture of jazz fusion and funk, without losing sight of their jazz roots. The band only broke up because Morrissey wanted to get back to playing straight bebop, his first love. He also worked with John Burch's quartet. By the late 1980s and early 1990s he was again active as a leader and guesting with various groups. His work was interrupted by ill health in the 1990s and he fought a long battle with cancer before his death in November, 2000. |
 Dick Morrissey (c1963) Derek Ansell writing in Jazz Journal in 2001 said of Dick Morrissey "he conveyed an aura of pleasure in the sheer joy of playing the tenor saxophone and easily transmitted his feelings to the audience. Dick had a rich robust sound on the tenor which, combined with considerable powers of invention and an ability to swing easily and naturally made him one of the very best jazz saxophonists in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter. Although aware of the work of the great players of the past.... he was a powerful and individual stylist on his instrument particularly during the years of his maturity as a soloist between 1976 and up to at least 1994". |
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Dick Morrissey Quartet - April 27th, 1961 (It's Morrissey Man - Fontana TFL5194) (JM1261) Dick Morrissey (ts), Stan Jones (p), Malcolm Cecil (b), Colin Barnes (d). St. Thomas*/Cherry Blue*/A Bench In The Park*/Santicity*/Mildew*/Puffing Billy*/Gurney Was Here*/Happy Feet*/Where Is Love?*/Dancing In The Dark*/Willow Weep For Me*/Jellyroll*. (*Redial CD - It's Morrissey man) Dick Morrissey Quartet - July/August, 1963 (Have you heard - 77LEU12/8) (JMC35) Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Phil Bates (b), Jackie Dougan (d). Down Home*/Skatin'*/The Goblin*/The Celt/Serenata/On The Spot/There And Back/Journey Home*. (*Progressive CD - Kenny Baker's All Stars & The Dick Morrissey Quartet) At this time Johnny Dankworth started to produce albums that were not just a succession of big band jazz tracks, but were themed LPs or suites and the first of them was issued as What the Dickens !, the titles linked to associations with Charles Dickens characters or phrases. Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with featured guests - July 29th and 31st, August 7th, and October 4th, 1963 (Fontana TF5203) Gus Galbraith, Leon Calvert, Kenny Wheeler, Dickie Hawdon (tp), Tony Russell, Eddie Harvey (tb), Ron Snyder or Alf Reece (tu), Johnny Dankworth, Roy East (as,cl), Vic Ash (cl,ts), Art Ellefson (ts,b-cl), Alan Branscombe (p,vib,xyl), Kenny Napper or Spike Heatley (b), Johnny Butts (d). Special guests: Jimmy Deuchar (tp), Tony Coe, Tubby Hayes, Peter King, Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins, Dick Morrissey (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Ronnie Stephenson (d), Roy Webster (perc) Prologue/Weller Never Did^/Little Nell^/The Infant Phenomenon/Demdest Little Fascinator/Dotheboys Hall/Ghosts^/David And The Bloaters/Please Sir, I Want Some More/The Artful Dodger/Waiting For Something To turn Up/Fodson And Fogg/The Pickwick Club/Sergeant Buzfuz/Finale. (Sepia RSCD 2016 - What the Dickens) (^Salvo 4CD Box set - I Hear Music - A Celebration of the Life and Work of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth) Dick Morrissey Quartet - January 27th, 1964 (Live at Ronnie Scott's) Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Phil Bates (b), Jackie Dougan (d). There And Back*/Stars Fell On Alabama*/D.M.Blues*/Spirit-feel*. (*Jazz House CD - There and back - Live At Ronnie Scott's) August 20th, 1965 (Live at Ronnie Scott's) Personnel as January 27th, 1964 except Phil Seamen (d) replaces Jackie Dougan. Dick's Theme*. (*Jazz House CD - There and back - Live At Ronnie Scott's) The recording detailed below was made at the Churchill Studios in London some time in 1964 but was not released at the time. In January, 2011 Gearbox Records issued a limited edition 12" EP... Michael Garrick Quartet - 1964 (Gearbox Records - GB1507) Dick Morrissey (ts), Michael Garrick (p), Dave Green (b), Colin Barnes (d). Blues/Autumn Leaves/The Gypsy/The Girl With Brown Hair. Roy Budd Quartet - early 1965 (Pye - 7N15897) Ian Carr (tp), Dick Morrissey (ts), Roy Budd (p), Trever Tomkins (d), Harry South (arr). Birth Of The Budd/M'Ghee, M'Ghee. Dick Morrissey Quartet - November 22nd and 29th, 1965 (Storm warning - Mercury 20077MCL) Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d). Storm Warning/What Is There To Say/Come Rain Or Come Shine/Wind Of Change/Get Out Of Town/March On. Harry South Big Band - January 25th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Albert Hall (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Rik Kennedy, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Bill Geldard (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Tubby Hayes (ts,fl), Pete King (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), HarrySouth (ldr). Costa Fortuna/Last Orders/Afterthought/Alone Together. Harry South Big Band - January 26th, 1966 (Presenting the Harry South Big Band - Mercury 20081MCL) Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Les Condon, Greg Bowen (tp), Ian Carr (tp,fl-hrn), Johnny Marshall, Chris Smith, Keith Christie, Gibb Wallace (tb), Roy Willox, Alan Branscombe (as,fl), Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey (ts), Bob Efford (ts,fl), Harry Klein (bs), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d), Harry South (ldr). Six To One Bar/Lush Life/There And Back/North Of The Soho Border. Harry South Big Band - c1966/7 (Retrospect through 21 years of BBC Jazz Club - Philips SBL7869) Greg Bowen, Derek Watkins, Tony Fisher, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Brian Perrin, Clarrie Baines, Cliff Hardie (tb), Alan Branscombe, Tony Coe, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, Dick Morrissey, Harry Klein (reeds), Gordon Beck (p), Phil Bates (b), Bill Eyden (d), Harry South (ldr). Newtyme Waltz/Storm Warning. The record detailed below was recorded live at the Bull's Head, Barnes, England... Jimmy Witherspoon with the Dick Morrissey Quartet - May 23rd, 1966 (Spoon sings'n swings - Fontana TL5382) Jimmy Witherspoon (vcl), Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Phil Bates (b), Phil Seamen (d). I Gotta Girl/Trouble In Mind/Nobody Knows How I Feel This Morning/New Down Home Blues/Kansas City/Compact Car/Piney Brown's Blues/Big Fine Girl/Send Me Someone To Love/Lotus Blossom/St. Louis Blues. Dick Morrissey Quartet - September 23rd and 25th, 1966 (Here and now and sounding good - Mercury 20093MCL) Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Phil Bates (b), Bill Eyden (d). Off The Wagon/Corpus/Don't Fall Over The Bridge/Sunday Lunch/Little Miss Sadly/El Schtuck. Ian Hamer Sextet - Believed to have been recorded 1966 Ian Hamer (tp,fl-horn), Keith Christie (tb), Dick Morrissey (ts), Harry South (p), Kenny Napper (b), Bill Eyden (d). What's Her Name?*/Cambridge Crescent*/Tobago*/Corpus*/Chow Mien*. (*Jasmine CD - The Ian Hamer Sextet - Acropolis) The recording detailed below was the first of seven Morrissey/Mullen albums. It is uncertain where the first one listed below was recorded... Jim Mullen & Dick Morrissey - c1977 (Up - Embryo SD536) Dick Morrissey (fl,ts), Malcolm Duncan (sax), Pat Rebillot, Roger Ball (keyb), Jim Mullen, Onnie McIntyre (g), Hamish Stewart (g,backing vocal), Alan Gorrie (b), Steve Ferrone (d), Sammy Figueroa, Rafael Cruz (perc), + backing singers on some tracks. Footloose/Sing Me Softly Of The Blues/Everything Must Change/Philip Phuling/What A Way To Go/You'll Know What I Mean/Busted Fender. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - c1979 (Cape Wrath - Harvest SHSP4098) Dick Morrissey (sop,ts), Max Middleton (keyb), Jim Mullen, Robert Ahwai (g), Kuma Harada (b), Richard Bailey (d), Tony Carr (perc), + strings. Lovely Day/Cape Wrath/Bristol Boogie/Return To Tooting Broadway/Soul Eyes/Song For Caria/Dreams So Real/Night Song. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - c1980 (After Dark - Coda 2) Dick Morrissey (ts), Barry Withworth (tp-1,flhorn-2), John Critchinson (p,el-p), Jim Mullen (g-3), Ron Mathewson (b), Martin Drew (d). I Wont Last A Day Without You/March On (1)(3)/They Say It's Wonderful (2)/Pili Pili/The Way We Were (3)/Running Out Of Time (3)/Lou Grant (3)/Change Partners. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - 1981 (Badness - Beggars Banquet BEGA27) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop,fl), John Critchinson (keyb,synth), Jim Mullen (g), Clive Chaman (b), Chris Ainsworth (d), Chris Fletcher (perc), Linda Taylor (vcl). Do Like You/Dragonfly/Stay Awhile/Blue Tears/Badness/Pass the Music On/Slipstream. Georgie Fame/Annie Ross & Hoagy Carmichael - cJune, 1981 (In Hoagland - Bald Eagle BELP181) Ian Hamer (tp), Chris Pyne (tb), Peter King (as), Dick Morrissey (ts,fl), Geoff Castle (keyb), Martin Kershaw (g), Daryl Runswick, Jim Richardson (b), Barry Morgan (d), Georgie Fame, Annie Ross, Hoagy Carmichael (vcl). The Old Music Master/Hong Kong Blues/Georgia On My Mind/One Morning In May/My Resistance Is Low/I Get Along Without You Very Well/Rockin' Chair/Drip Drop/Stardust/Up A Lazy River/Small Fry/Two Sleepy People/Hoagy's Help/Hoagland. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen featuring Carol Kenyon on vocals - 1982 (Life on the wire - Beggars Banquet BEGA33) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop,fl), John Critchinson (keyb), Danny Schogger (synth), Jim Mullen (g), John McKenzie (b), Tony Beard (d), Chris Fletcher (perc), Carol Kenyon (vcl). Life On The Wire/Takin' Time/Face Of A Child/Come And Get Me/Brazil Nut/Ships That Pass In The Night/Making Waves/Running Out Of Time. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - 1983 (It's about time... - Beggars Banquet BEGA44) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop), Damon Butcher (keyb), Jim Mullen (g), Joe Hubbard (b-g), Neil Wilkinson (d), Chris Fletcher (perc), Tessa Niles (vcl), + Chris Hunter, Guy Barker (brass), Jess Bailey (keyb), Gavin Wright (strings). Stop And Look Around/It's About Time../Ounce Of Bounce/So So Fine/Ol' Sax And Captain Axe/Bladerunner/Why Does It Always Happen To Me?/I Pull the Strings/Do I Do/Above The Clouds. Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - 1985 (This must be the place - Coda 15) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop), Peter Jacobsen (keyb), Jim Mullen (g), Trevor Barry (b), Neil Wilkinson (d), Chris Fletcher (perc), Noel McCalla (vcl). (Titles not known). Dick Morrissey - 1986 (Souliloquy - Coda 832940-1) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop), Max Middleton (keyb), Robert Ahwai, Bob Weston (g), Kuma Harada (b), Steve Ferroni (d), Danny Cummings (perc), Lenny Zacatek (vcl). (Titles not known). Recorded live at the Bull's Head Inn in Barnes, SW London. The CD is available only from the Bull's Head... Peter King/Dick Morrissey/Martin Taylor - 1987 (Live At The Bull - Bull's Head Music BHM001) Peter King (as), Dick Morrissey (ts), Tony Lee (p), Ian Scott-Taylor (b), Terry Jenkins (d). Bird Feathers*. Tony Crombie (d) replaces Terry Jenkins. They Can't Take That Away From Me*. Dick Morrissey (ts), Martin Taylor (g). They Can't Take That Away From Me*. Dick Morrissey (ts), Tony Lee (p), Martin Taylor (g), Ian Scott-Taylor (b), Terry Jenkins (d). Billie's Bounce*. (*Bull's Head Music CD - Live at the Bull) Dick Morrissey/Jim Mullen - 1988 (Happy hour - Coda 29CD) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop,fl), Peter Jacobsen (keyb), Jim Mullen (g), Trevor Barry (b), Neil Wilkinson (d), Chris Fletcher (perc). (Titles not known). (Coda CD - Happy hour) Dick Morrissey Quartet - December 9th, 1988 (Resurrection ritual - Miles Music MM077) Dick Morrissey (ts,sop), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Jim Hall (d). Resurrection Ritual/Germina/The Maestro/Lush Life/Love Dance/Star Trek. The session below, recorded live at "The Crown" in Chislehurst, Kent , was only released on a limited edition tape cassette... Dick Morrissey Quartet - November 17th, 1989 (Love dance - Jazz Juice JCT1) Dick Morrissey (ts), Derek Nash (ts-1), John Burch (p), Tony Archer (b), Jim Hall (d). Introduction/Too Close For Comfort/Falling In Love With Love/I Hear A Rhapsody/Swingin' On Those Rhythm Changes/Sisyfan/Love Dance/Tenor Madness (1)/The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. Mike Carr Quartet and Trio - March 31st, 1993 (Good Times & The Blues - Cargogold Productions) Mike Carr (org), Dick Morrissey (ts), Jim Mullen (el-g), Mark Taylor (d). Good Times*/Blues For Mr B.*/The One That Got Away*/Harlem Waltz (DM out)*/Battery Blues*/Mexican Samba*/Freedom Song*/Viva Victor (DM out)*/The Baron Of Bop*/Theme For Cliff*. (*Cargogold Productions CD - Good Times & The Blues) |
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