Sandy Brown

A major figure in UK and international jazz. Took up clarinet at 12 years of age. Dominant personality in Edinburgh’s ‘Royal High School Gang’ in 1940s with Al Fairweather, Bob Craig, Stan Grieg, Dave Paxton et al. Prime mover in late 1940s and early 1950s Edinburgh jazz, leading his band and establishing his reputation as a great original. Moved to London 1954. Outstanding clarinettist with international stature and in the 1950s, with Al Fairweather, made some of the finest and most original British jazz recordings ever made. Wrote many tunes and was one of the few convincing British blues singers. Died shockingly young (46) while watching Scotland play England in a rugby Calcutta Cup match on TV. Collection of Sandy’s writings, edited by David Binns, published as ‘The McJazz Manuscripts’ in 1979 by Faber. See also Oxford Dict of Nat Biography, http://sandybrownjazz.co.uk and Sandy Brown Soc Newsletters.