John
"Johnny" Macey
(Wurzel
1966-1968)
John
Macey was another Wurzel with a jazz background, a well-respected
upright acoustic bass player in the Bristol jazz scene. Along with
tuba player Brian Walker, he had played in Acker Bilk's
Paramount Jazz Band at Bristol's Crown and Dove pub; although
in jazz circles he was known as Johnny Macey. On one occasion he
was also credited by Adge as "The Man who put the 'Sod' in
Chipping Sodbury", which contradicts Adge's earlier assertion
that that man was Reg Quantrell!
We
have little information about what John actually did prior to joining
the joining Adge; but a rare 1950s British jazz revivalist EP 'New
Orleans Jam Sessions Volume 1' by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Bob
Wallis (of the Storyville Jazzmen) shows Johnny Macey playing
alongside the likes of Acker Bilk and a young Ginger Baker (who
went on to be part of Sixties rock trio Cream. He also played with
the Avon Cities Jazz Band - although as this band
has a history running from 1949 to the present day, and involved
the good and the great of Bristol jazz in its line-up - perhaps
it would be more surprising if he had not played with them - and
I have no idea whether this was before or after his time as a Wurzel
(fellow Wurzel Tony Baylis
was a member of the band, although not at the same time).
Adge
Cutler somehow managed to entice the John and Brian to become the
rhythm section of the newly formed Wurzels in 1966, and both were
involved in the legendary Royal Oak recording of the debut album.
Although Brian left soon afterwards, John remained with the band
until after the release of their follow-up album in 1968.
On
the second album where all band members were asked to contribute
their own compositions, John wrote the song Sniff Up Thy
Snuff and, with Reg Quantrill, Drunk Again.
After the release of Adge
Cutler's Family Album, John
left the Wurzels and returned to the Bristol jazz scene.
Wurzel
Discography
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