Death of Harrogate's 'master of boogie woogie' piano who played The Cavern before The Beatles
The death has been announced of a local Harrogate music legend of more than 60 years standing who played at The Cavern Club in Liverpool before The Beatles and was well known as resident pianist at Bettys tearooms.
The multi-talented, quietly spoken and well-liked Derry Jones died last week at the age of 90 after a musical life which began in the 1950s and stretched across the whole history of rock, jazz and pop into the 21st century.
A master of boogie-woogie piano – and many other musical instruments – Derry Jones began his professional career in the early 1950s playing in jazz bands and accompanying classic variety comedians like Ken Dodd.
Before the Beatles made the venue world-famous, he even performed on the piano at The Cavern Club in Liverpool.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Derry Jones gained widespread recognition as a member of the Jimmy O Show Band, which also included fellow Harrogate music legend Bob Mason of Ricky Fenton and The Apaches.
The successful Harrogate outfit famously appeared on Tyne Tees Television in 1981 to perform Derry’s original composition, The Nicest Place.
The skilled pianist Derry Jones played keyboards with almost everybody under the sun over nearly seven decades, appearing on bills with the likes of blues legends Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee and Muddy Waters
But he was probably best known in Harrogate for providing the perfect accompaniment to diners at Bettys tearooms on Parliament Street.
Born in Burnley on December 15, 1935, Derry took piano lessons from a very early age.
His mother Doris was told he had no talent for the instrument but by the age of 12 he had already formed his first group – The Deep C Blues.
His childhood was spent in Burnley surrounded by aunts, until the family moved to Harrogate where his father Bill followed his business drive to create a hardware business (Ps and Js) and subsequently Dales Chamois Leather Business in Otley.
Growing up in Harrogate, Derry attended Clifton House Prep School before going to Ashville College.
He avoid conscription by going to University of Wales in Aberystwith to study law but his first love was always music.
Derry’s big break came when he won the Inter University Jazz Pianist of the Year Competitio, and this led him on the the Yorkshire Jazz Band.
It was around this time that Pat and Derry met – she was working a second job as a waitress and offered him a sausage, whilst he was playing the piano!
They married in 1960 in Wesley Chapel and honeymooned in the Isle of Man.
Their son, Gwyn was born in 1962 and daughter, Rachel in 1964. Grandchildren Joe, Raffi, Pascha, Rory and Matthew followed in due course.
It was in the late 60s that Pat and Derry set up Jigsaw Enterprises.
Derry’s knowledge of the music scene and Pat’s practical business acumen and ability to “sell” Derry and other musicians made this a successful venture which lasted for many years.
He retained his musical profile as a key member of the Jimmy O’ Show was a notable Dance Band in Yorkshire for many years.
New Year’s Eve at the Royal Hall just one of many memorable occasions where music joy was brought to people.
He played in Betty’s for over 40 years, and at just about every pub, club and hotel you can name.
In 2006 Derry had to face the loss of Pat, which left him bereft and having to find a new path to forge along.
And, then, he met Jo with whom he spent a very happy last 14 years singing, playing music, dancing and walking.
All the time he was still songwriting, hoping for a big hit.
It never quite happened but the eternally creative Derry, who was always seeking new challenges, more than left his mark and will be much missed by everyone whose life he touched.
He died after a relatively short illness and was playing right up until the very end.