Sponsors
Books (Text)
eSheet (pdf file)
eTracks sound files
Sponsors
Free Services
Books (Text)
Statistics
Sponsors
Gelbe Seiten Veranstaltungen
Recordings (CD, DVD, Video)
Printed Music
Statistics
Free Services
Sponsors
Share
Link to share - cut and paste:
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=15-Jan-2010&lang=de&s=1703
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=15-Jan-2010&lang=de&s=1703
15-Jan-2010
by Rob Howard
|
  Brian Dexter (picture left), one of Britain’s finest post-war accordionists died aged 83 on January 6th, following a stroke, in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Brian Dexter was a pianist and a church organist prior to becoming one of Britain’s brightest accordion talents in the 1950s.After army service in World War Two in the Royal Scots Greys, where he became a clarinet player, Dexter joined the successful jazz/swing Danny Levan Quartet. Weekly BBC radio broadcasts on ‘Rhythm Rendezvous’ and ‘The Strollers’ brought the Quartet to public notice, and led Brian Dexter into a long career playing jazz on both accordion and piano, and into many years of recording studio session work. In the post-war years Dexter was resident at London’s Hilton Hotel, and also played frequently in the Primo Scala Accordion Band, and as an occasional member of the Gerald Crossman Players. He proved to be an inspiration to many of his contemporaries, including the up and coming Jack Emblow (picture right) and Tony Compton. In the 1960s Brian Dexter played in a jazz trio fronted by trombonist Don Lusher, titled ‘From Lusher With Love’. In 1973 he played the accordion in an episode of the BBC’s television adaptation of ‘Colditz’, and also appeared in an episode of ‘Are You Being Served?’, titled ‘German Week’, dressed in lederhosen and playing the accordion Bavarian style. In 1974 he played on the rock album ‘Living on a Back Street’ by the Spencer Davis Group. The latter part of Brian Dexter’s career saw him playing the accordion in an 18 year residency at the ‘La Caprice’ restaurant, London. By the 1980s back problems forced him to give up playing the accordion in favour of the piano and the organ, and eventually he retired to live at Clacton-on-Sea. Never one to seek the limelight, Brian Dexter was nonetheless very highly regarded by his peers, both as a musician and as a man. |