John Ban MacKenzie
John V. Pearson
Shone, J.H., ed., "Some Letters of Archibald Campbell 1935-1949," a little
book ed. by Shone and pub. by the Highland Society of London. App.
part of a larger work, "Kilberry Book of Letters," pub. by The
International Piper Ltd., East Lothian, 1980).
One, on subject of old chanters, is about two sentences re JBM's
pipemaking: " John Ban MacKenzie, born in 1874, was in a way a link with
the old lot. [bagpipe makers] When [probably J.F., a champion player]
Farquharson went to him in 1862 he had almost given up playing and was
absorbed in making pipes. He is one person responsible for our modern
chanter. Peter Henderson modelled his chanters on his, and every pipe
maker for the last 50 years has taken the Henderson chanter as his
pattern." being a "link with the old lot." (Campbell lr. to Dr. MacPhail,
pres., Piping Society of London, 21.7.36., p. 15).
Another lr. (p. 42) to Dr. MacPhail, 12.7.40, concerns some JBM
MSS. thought to be in the hands of Peter MacDonald, Marackalio Stn., Hawks
Bay, Napier N.3. Campbell was attempting to obtain the MSS. Question they
wanted to know was whether this alleged MSS. contained any pibroch.
MacDonald was son of PM John MacDonald, 72nd Highlanders. JBM's widow
apparently gave this MSS. to MacDonald's father.
A reprint of Fionn's "Martial Music of the Clans" (Scotpress,
Morgantown, WVa., 1984) contains a photo of JBM (p. 24D) in an article on
clan MacKenzie, and short bio of JBM (pp. 27-28). Notices probably repeats
this data. Photo reproduced from W.L. Manson's "The Highland Bagpipe."
The late Capt. John MacLellan's "The International Piper"
magazine was publishing very good articles on history and literature in
the late 70s to mid-80s, until his illness and death. Scottish Nat'l and
British Nat'l Libraries no doubt have copies. Put in inquiry on MacKenzie.
There's lots of info to be gleaned on these famous pipers, but
the problem is, it is so decentralized throughout the British Isles and
other countries where Scots went. Many local Scottish publications
contained stories, piping and nonpiping, regarding these notable pipers.
Oban Times and Inverness Courier are prime examples. I went through a
century of OT in their library in 1974-75. But that took about five
months. School of Scottish Studies (Peter Cooke, pco...@castle.ed.ac.uk,
musicologist at SSS, might have suggestions). Then there are the many
little piping newsletters and Scottish mags in the New World, which come and
go. Also try the old Piping and Dancing mag., pub. in Glasgow durin gthe
1930s, and Celtic Monthly, in the British libraries.
On Sat, 19 Aug 1995, Iain Indian wrote:
> I am doing some research about John Ban MacKenzie (1796-1864) . At this
> stage my three sources of information are from "Notices of Pipers" , "The
> Kilberry book" and the oral history passed down through the family.
> As I understand, he was called "The King of Pipers" by his Contempories,
> and won the first competition put on by the Highland Society after the
> legislation banning the playing of pipes was repealed. I am looking for
> any information about John Ban that I may not already have, any music
> written by or about him or contacts to others of his line. I would
> appreciate any help at all. E-mail ria...@ozemail.com.au
> Regards, Iain.
>
>
Lloyd Bogart
>I am doing some research about John Ban MacKenzie (1796-1864) . At this
>stage my three sources of information are from "Notices of Pipers" , "The
>Kilberry book" and the oral history passed down through the family.
>As I understand, he was called "The King of Pipers" by his Contempories,
>and won the first competition put on by the Highland Society after the
>legislation banning the playing of pipes was repealed.
Angus Mackay, on page 15-20 of his 1838 collection, reported the results
of piping competitions from the year 1781 through 1838, sponsored by the
Highland Society in London (in 1781, first prize went to John MacGregor).
John Ban would have been a bit young in 1781 ... but (p.19):
"1823. July.__ the first prize was voted to John MacKenzie...."
Is that the *right* John M.?
Perhaps you refer to a different HS competition -- in Scotland?
Iain MacInnes wrote a masters thesis (Edinburgh Univ., 1988, I think),
that focused on the Highland Societies & their influence on piping
(I'm *still* trying to locate a copy --does anyone have one?)
this might be a source useful to you.
Lloyd Bogart
Iain Indian
stage my three sources of information are from "Notices of Pipers" , "The
the family.
As I understand, he was called called "The King of Pipers" by his
Contempories, and won the first competition put on by the Highland Society
looking for any information about John Ban that I may not already have,
any music written by or about him or contacts to others of his line. I
Iain Indian
> Angus Mackay, on page 15-20 of his 1838 collection, reported the results
> of piping competitions from the year 1781 through 1838, sponsored by the
> Highland Society in London (in 1781, first prize went to John MacGregor).
>
> John Ban would have been a bit young in 1781 ... but (p.19):
> "1823. July.__ the first prize was voted to John MacKenzie...."
Sorry to muddle the order of things. As you say, John Ban did win for the
first time in 1823. In 1835 I think he won the first competition held
for previous winners of the Highland Society competition. The prize was a
gold medal. Someone had told me that John Ban had won the first world
championship for which he was awarded a set of silver mounted pipes. I
wonder if he has mixed this up with the Highland Society comp' of 1823 ?
Do you know what the prize was that year?
Regards,
Iain.