Morrissey Mullen Legacy at PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho

Formed by saxophonist Dick Morrissey and guitarist Jim Mullen in the mid 70's, The Morrissey Mullen Band was one of the first and certainly one of the finest Jazz/Funk Fusion bands ever to work in the UK. Dick and Jim first got together when they were working in the US with another iconic funk band, The Average White Band and they spent the first 8 months or so based out of New York utilizing some of the finest players around at that time.

On their return to the UK in 1976 the Morrissey Mullen Band was born and rapidly established itself as the Band to hear for anyone interested in great 'Groove' music. Jim's searing guitar lines played against Dick's fabulous muscular and hugely inventive sax soloing created a unique sound that is still talked about to this day. The band existed as a full-time working entity for over 12 years before finally disbanding in 1988. The following decade saw Dick fighting a battle with serious illness, in his final days performing from a wheelchair. Sadly Dick passed away in November 2000 finally bringing to an end a glittering career that left much great music behind. ...

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Formed by saxophonist Dick Morrissey and guitarist Jim Mullen in the mid 70's, The Morrissey Mullen Band was one of the first and certainly one of the finest Jazz/Funk Fusion bands ever to work in the UK. Dick and Jim first got together when they were working in the US with another iconic funk band, The Average White Band and they spent the first 8 months or so based out of New York utilizing some of the finest players around at that time.

On their return to the UK in 1976 the Morrissey Mullen Band was born and rapidly established itself as the Band to hear for anyone interested in great 'Groove' music. Jim's searing guitar lines played against Dick's fabulous muscular and hugely inventive sax soloing created a unique sound that is still talked about to this day. The band existed as a full-time working entity for over 12 years before finally disbanding in 1988. The following decade saw Dick fighting a battle with serious illness, in his final days performing from a wheelchair. Sadly Dick passed away in November 2000 finally bringing to an end a glittering career that left much great music behind.

Tonight will see for the first time in over a decade the reunion of one of the seminal line-ups of the Morrissey Mullen Band, which has been formed to not only honour Dick's memory but also that of MM keyboard player Pete Jacobsen, a brilliant pianist who undeterred by losing his sight as a child 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 the iconic guitarist Jim Mullen, will be veterans of one of the great 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 now vacant chairs will be the terrific Dave Lewis on sax and long time Jim Mullen associate 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. Booking Recommended.

"Jim Mullen and Dick Morrissey's popularity became so intense they often played to sell-out crowds all-over the U.S. and Great Britain. Even in the 21st century, fans remember the duo's formative years as 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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