Patrick John Halcox (18 March 1930 – 4 February 2013), was an English jazz trumpeter.

Biography

Halcox was born in Chelsea, London, England, and became the trumpet player in the

Chris Barber Donald Christopher Barber (17 April 1930 – 2 March 2021) was an English jazz musician, best known as a bandleader and Trombone, trombonist. He helped many musicians with their careers and had a UK top twenty trad jazz hit with "Petite Fleur ...

Jazz Band, when the band took that name on 31 May 1954. He was originally offered the spot earlier, but elected to continue his studies as a research chemist.

Ken Colyer Kenneth Colyer (18 April 1928 – 8 March 1988) was an English jazz trumpeter and cornetist, devoted to New Orleans jazz. His band was also known for skiffle interludes. Biography He was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, but grew up ...

was invited to fill the vacancy in 1953, and the band became known as the Ken Colyer Jazz Band, as Colyer had recently returned from New Orleans, and the other members, including Chris Barber,

Lonnie Donegan Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a British skiffle singer, songwriter and musician, referred to as the " King of Skiffle", who influenced 1960s British pop and rock musicians. Born in Scotland and brought ...

and Monty Sunshine, decided that this New Orleans experience would add credibility. The band effectively parted company with Colyer after a dispute about its musical direction. Halcox took Colyer's place, in what then become Barber's group, and as the original six piece band eventually grew to eleven members, Halcox remained present. Although primarily the trumpet player, Halcox also had a fine singing voice, and led the band's various renditions of "Ice Cream", one of their most popular standards. He also played piano on the Lonnie Donegan recording of "Digging My Potatoes". The Pat Halcox Allstars did make a recording of their own during a Chris Barber Band summer break, now re-released as a Lake Records CD. Halcox announced his retirement from the Chris Barber Band at the age of 78, effective from July 2008.

Death

Halcox died on 4 February 2013 at the age of 82.

References

1930 births 2013 deaths English jazz trumpeters British male trumpeters Musicians from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea People from Chelsea, London British male jazz musicians {{UK-jazz-musician-stub