606 Club Special: Morrissey/mullen Legacy Band at 606 Club

Formed by saxophonist Dick Morrissey and guitarist Jim Mullen, The Morrissey Mullen Band was one of the first and certainly one of the finest Jazz/Funk Fusion bands to work in the UK. Born in 1976 the band rapidly established itself as the Band to hear, with Jim’s searing guitar lines played against Dick’s fabulous muscular and hugely inventive sax solos, creating a unique sound that is still talked about to this day. The band itself hosted a number of talented young musicians and latterly also added a singer to the mix, existing as a full-time working entity for over 12 years. The following decade saw Dick fighting a battle with serious illness but still managing to carry on playing. Sadly Dick passed away in 2000, finally bringing to an end a glittering career that left much great music behind. The band tonight has been formed to not only honour Dick’s memory but also that of MM keyboard player Pete Jacobsen, a brilliant pianist who had risen to become one of the UK’s finest keyboard players, and who himself sadly passed away unexpectedly in 2002. Featured with the band tonight, as well as Jim, will be veterans of one of the seminal Morrissey Mullen line-ups; Noel McCalla on vocals, Trevor Barry on bass, Neal Wilkinson on drums and Chris Fletcher on percussion. Their Special Guests filling the vacant chairs will be the terrific Dave Lewis on sax and the impressive Mike Gorman on keyboard. The music promises to be the classic blend of great fusion and jazz-influenced funk and Jim has promised a mix of the old and the new. As he says, this is not intended to be a maudlin look at the past but rather a joyful celebration of two great musicians and one remarkable band....

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Formed by saxophonist Dick Morrissey and guitarist Jim Mullen, The Morrissey Mullen Band was one of the first and certainly one of the finest Jazz/Funk Fusion bands to work in the UK. Born in 1976 the band rapidly established itself as the Band to hear, with Jim’s searing guitar lines played against Dick’s fabulous muscular and hugely inventive sax solos, creating a unique sound that is still talked about to this day. The band itself hosted a number of talented young musicians and latterly also added a singer to the mix, existing as a full-time working entity for over 12 years. The following decade saw Dick fighting a battle with serious illness but still managing to carry on playing. Sadly Dick passed away in 2000, finally bringing to an end a glittering career that left much great music behind. The band tonight has been formed to not only honour Dick’s memory but also that of MM keyboard player Pete Jacobsen, a brilliant pianist who had risen to become one of the UK’s finest keyboard players, and who himself sadly passed away unexpectedly in 2002. Featured with the band tonight, as well as Jim, will be veterans of one of the seminal Morrissey Mullen line-ups; Noel McCalla on vocals, Trevor Barry on bass, Neal Wilkinson on drums and Chris Fletcher on percussion. Their Special Guests filling the vacant chairs will be the terrific Dave Lewis on sax and the impressive Mike Gorman on keyboard. The music promises to be the classic blend of great fusion and jazz-influenced funk and Jim has promised a mix of the old and the new. As he says, this is not intended to be a maudlin look at the past but rather a joyful celebration of two great musicians and one remarkable band.

“Jim Mullen and Dick Morrissey's popularity became so intense they often played to sell-out crowds......one of the top fusion jazz bands of their time” Jazz Review;
“Jim Mullen…one of the great Jazz guitarists working today” Jazzwise

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