Lennie Herd

Paisley based. At 10 yo was sent for piano lessons but rebelled and switched to trumpet after seeing film featuring Harry James. Played trumpet at school concerts, mostly Ivor Novello melodies. Heard jazz on radio and children’s TV and became interested. No jazz at home but brother played piano in dance bands. Played written parts by Ernie Tomasso but found himself busking more than reading. School boy ‘High Society JB’ at 17, first gig at 18, then at 19 depped with then joined band of George Penman and stayed until 1977. Considered playing as pro but mini-tours with Penman showed him that he hated the lifestyle and decided to play as semi-pro and played with many good musicians. Then in France but re-joined Penman on return. Then with Ken Mathieson’s ‘Jazz Heard’ with Mathieson (drms), John Cairns (pno), Alastair MacDonald (bjo), Dick Stroak (clt), and George Kidd (tbn). Later with Dave Batchelor’s ‘Batchelors of Jazz’ for 13 years. Later in ‘Scottish Jazz All Stars’ led by Batchelor (tbn) with Herd (tpt) Forrie Cairns (clt), Brian Kellock (pno), Ronnie Rae (bs), John Rae (drms) and Fionna Duncan (voc) for about 4 years. Later still, Forrie Cairns was asked by Mike Hart to put together 4-piece to play at Edinburgh’s Jazz and Jive Club. This went well and after hearing recording of the gig by Norrie Thomson, Cairns set up ‘Quattro McJazz’, which included Alastair MacDonald (bjo) and which continued until Coronavirus crisis in March 2020. Also, monthly appearances over many years at Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, with George Hewitt’s ‘New Orleans Joymakers’ and many depping gigs. Has no regrets about not playing as pro and reports many friendships in jazz, some of over 60 years, and points out that, in early days, followers were mostly from the tertiary education sector, with gigs often in golf and tennis clubs. Never met any drug users until much later and then very few. Reports that, nowadays, followers are mostly in his own age group but when youngsters do hear the music, they seem to enjoy it. Jazz career high-lights were probably broadcasts with Penman band with pro guests such as Kenny Ball (tpt) and George Chisholm (tbn).