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Ken Sims

Mike Owen

Shortly after Ken Sims’ passing, Chris Gordon Watford asked me if I could “reclaim” footage filmed back in March, 2001, and reproduce it as a YouTube of Ken and Mike Owen playing with his New Orleans Standard Bearers at
Botany Bay Jazz Club.

Chris wrote “Mike Owen had just come back from playing professionally in New Orleans for eight years and was living in the West Midlands and complaining that none of the trumpeters up there had “any balls” as he put it! Ken Sims had never heard of him and it was worth studying Ken’s face when he suddenly realises he is sitting next to a trombonist who is something very special! Likewise when Mike Owen hears Ken blowing he cannot believe he’s playing with a trumpeter who is head and shoulders above what he’s found back in the UK!”

Thank you for the privilege, Chris, and here is the YouTube.

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I’m sad to announce that Jazz UK has just lost another of its great maestros.
Ken Sims passed away in the night 28/29th March. 

Back in July last year Ken played at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Festival. But due to a mix up by the hotel for his overnight stay and subsequent transport problems, he stayed overnight at one of the Festival Organiser’s homes and it was my privilege to chauffeur him next morning back to Ramsgate for his journey back to London. Despite the problems, Ken was as patient, charming and kindly as any man I’ve known and shared with me wonderful snippets from his times in Jazz.

Here, Ken plays his beloved trumpet for one of the last times at the Ramsgate Shuffle Festival. The only opportunity I got to film the great man.

Jazz North West pays tribute to Ken.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(YouTube © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)