[jazz_guitar] RIP: Jimmy Currie, Guitar

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akmbirch

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Jan 8, 2010, 7:25:15 AM1/8/10

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I've just learned that Jimmy Currie, a UK jazz guitar pioneer, passed away in Algarve, Portugal, May 12 2009, age 80. Originally from
Edinburgh, Scotland, Jimmy Currie's began his long career
playing in jazz clubs such as "Ronnie Scott's" and went on to tour
with performers as Lonnie Donegan, George Melly, Shirley Bassey,
Acker Bilk and Judy Garland.

Here is Youtube video of Jimmy Currie with Lonnie Donegan and his group playing the Woody Guthrie song Grand Coulee Dam in 1957.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jc2efqj5Js

And some memories of Jimmy Currie by British-born pedal steel guitarist, Roger Rettig on the Lonnie Donegan forum:
http://members7.boardhost.com/lonniedonegan/msg/1216331501.html

I was forwarded this obituary from The Portugal News:

Obituary: Remembering Jimmy Currie
http://www.the-news.net/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1012-28
30/5/2009

Talented musician, true gentleman and Algarve resident, Jimmy Currie died on May 12th.

Originally from Edinburgh, his remarkable musical career began as a guitarist in London in the 1950's. Playing in jazz clubs like No.1 Baker Street and Ronnie Scott's, he went on to perform with Lonnie Donegan, George Melly, The 3 Monarchs and Val Doonican. He toured North America and South Africa with stars such as Shirley Bassey, Acker Bilk and Judy Garland and on three occasions played at the Royal Command Performance.

For three consecutive years the New Musical Express acclaimed him as the UK's top guitarist and as a composer he had chart topping success with `Jack of Diamonds', `I'm just a Rolling Stone' and the Tom Jones hit, `Never gonna fall in love again', later recorded by Elvis Presley.

Jimmy and his wife Maria first came to the Algarve in the 1980's and eventually bought a permanent home here. They continued to keep in touch with their musical contacts in the UK encouraging friends such as Acker Bilk and Ronnie Scott to play with Jimmy at Algarve night spots.

In the year 2000 he returned by invitation to Scotland to appear at the Edinburgh Festival. More recently his performances have been enjoyed backing the talented Portuguese singer, Manuela Lopes.

Although Jimmy's career was impressive those who knew him well will best recall his warm personality and sense of humour. A great listener and conversationalist he was modest about his own achievements and never lost sight of his personal and professional good fortune.

He will be greatly missed by Maria and their son, Scott.

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