Spike Heatley

Spike Heatley (born 17 February 1933) is a British jazz double bassist.

Spike Heatley
Birth nameBrian John Heatley
Born (1933-02-17) 17 February 1933
Muswell Hill, North London, England
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsDouble bass
Years active1958-Present

Early life

Heatley was born in Muswell Hill, North London in February, 1933.

Career

He appeared with Vic Ash's sextet in 1958, together with Ian Hamer (trumpet), Johnny Scott (flugelhorn), and Alan Branscombe (piano)[1] and had then joined The Jazz Couriers some weeks before they disbanded.[2]

He went on to play briefly with the quartet Tubby Hayes formed immediately afterwards with fellow Couriers Terry Shannon and Phil Seamen. Heatley then joined pianist Eddie Thompson's house trio for the opening year at the original Ronnie Scott's in Gerrard Street, while also playing with John Dankworth.

Heatley stayed with Dankworth until 1962, then joining the Tony Coe Quintet, and touring with trumpeter Kenny Baker. In 1963 he was with the Bill Le Sage and Ronnie Ross quartet, with Allan Ganley. He then began session work in the same rhythm section as Jimmy Page and John McLaughlin. He was an early member of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated.[3] Between 1970 and 1974 he was part of successful jazz-rock fusion act CCS (Collective Consciousness Society) Band, and played on recording sessions for Rod Stewart.

In the 1970s he was in the house band for the children's TV show Play Away.

During the 1980s and early 90s, he was with the American all star group the Great Guitars featuring Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd and Barney Kessel which also sometimes featured British player, Martin Taylor. He went on to play in Kessel's trio with Malcolm Mortimore, with whom he later joined Canadian pianist, Oliver Jones.

Discography
  • Presenting The Bill Le Sage - Ronnie Ross Quartet (April 1963) - Bill Le Sage (piano, vibes); Ronnie Ross (baritone sax); Heatley (bass); Allan Ganley (drums)
  • 2003:The Other Side of the Coin (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley, (double bass); Roy Williams, (trombone); Danny Moss (tenor saxophone); Mick Hanson (guitar); Dave Newton (piano); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)
  • One for Clifford and another one for Tubby (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley (bass); Alan Barnes (saxes); John Horler (piano); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)
  • Zurich Express (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley (leader/bass); Jim Lawless (vibraphone); Andy Williams (guitar); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)

References
  1. David Taylor's British Jazz web site Archived 2008-03-31 at the Wayback Machine
  2. The Jazz Couriers at David Taylor's British jazz web site Archived 2010-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Cyril Davies web site.
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