Acker Bilk Returning

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 10

Acker Bilk Returning

[From the London Correspondent of "The Press")

“Mister” Acker Bilk, complete with bowler hat, two clarinets, 50 reeds, and an extra member in his Paramount Jazz Band, is looking forward to his

third tour of New Zealand. He will arrive in Auckland on August 24 and tour the Dominion for three weeks. Seeking an interview with Acker, I was referred by a Soho theatrical agency known as the “Bilk Marketing Board” and run by Acker’s brother David Bilk to the 8.8.C.’s Aeolian Hall in Bond street where the band was recording its 13th half-hour radio broadcast for the Light Programme in the series “Ack’s Back.” This weekly series has become so popular that a new series of 15 programmes has been signed up to be made when the present series ends. An earnest member of the Bilk Board told me: “I don't think this programme will ever end.” Standing in the control room at the recording studios I heard Acker Bilk’s raspy voice and mellifluous horn in action, then adjourned to the nearby Grosvenor public house to watch him slake his Somerset thirst. “New Zealand . . . it's a wonderful place,” he said. “We have had some terrific times out there.” Acker Bilk’s latest LP record soon to be released in Britain is called “Acker International” and features as a New Zealand track the tune “Now Is The Hour.” “I had to do Australia on the cheap—l have combined it with Ireland and am playing "The Wild Colonial Boy’ for them,” he said. Most of the members of the band have visited New Zealand before, but it looks as if there will be a new trumpeter, Al Fairweather replacing Colin Smith, and the size of the band has swollen from the traditional seven to eight members by the addition of an alto sax, Bruce Turner. “Everybody else is putting off players from their bands, I take on an extra one. I must be crazy!” said Acker. “But it is great having that extra man in the front line. When I am singing we can now use a three-part harmony behind—it is great even if I do say so myself.” Other members of the band are John Mortimer (trom-

bone), Stan Greig (piano), Tony Pitt (guitar). Tucker Finlayson (bass), and Ron McKay (drums). Some of the band’s most important recent engagements included appearances on the national British television show “Sunday Night at the London Palladium.” On his last New Zealand visit Acker Bilk lost his bowler hat, almost a trademark, while travelling from Wellington to Auckland.