Allan Anthony Ganley (11 March 1931 – 29 March 2008) was an English jazz drummer and arranger.

Career

Ganley was born in Tolworth,

Surrey Surrey () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant urban areas which form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. ...

, England. A self-taught drummer, in the early 1950s Ganley played in the dance band led by Bert Ambrose. In 1953, he came to prominence as a member of

Johnny Dankworth Johnny is an English language personal name. It is usually an affectionate diminutive of the masculine given name John, but from the 16th century it has sometimes been a given name in its own right for males and, less commonly, females. Variant ...

's band. Also in the 1950s, he worked with Derek Smith,

Dizzy Reece Alphonso Son "Dizzy" Reece (born 5 January 1931) is a Jamaican-born hard bop jazz trumpeter. Reece is among a group of jazz musicians born in Jamaica which includes Bertie King, Joe Harriott, Roland Alphonso, Wilton Gaynair, Sonny Bradshaw, ...

, Vic Ash, and Ronnie Scott. Towards the end of the decade he was co-leader with Ronnie Ross of a small group known as the Jazzmakers. In the early 1960s, Ganley often worked with

Tubby Hayes Edward Brian "Tubby" Hayes (30 January 1935 – 8 June 1973) was an English jazz multi-instrumentalist, best known for his tenor saxophone playing in groups with fellow sax player Ronnie Scott and with trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar. Early life H ...

, playing with his small groups and the occasionally assembled big band. As house drummer at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club he played with

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

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, Jim Hall,

Freddie Hubbard Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter. He played bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles from the early 1960s onwards. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives fo ...

, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. In the early 1970s he took time out to study at

Berklee College of Music Berklee College of Music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college-level cours ...

in Boston, Massachusetts, then returned to the UK to form and lead a big band which he maintained sporadically for the next 10 years. Bermuda - Allan was the drummer in the Joe Wylie Orchestra in the late 60’s / early 70’s at the Hamilton Princess Hotel, backing up many International Artists from the UK and the USA. He was also a close friend of drummer Andy Newmark whom he met during his time in Bermuda. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ganley could be seen and heard on countless broadcasts and recording dates, playing with jazz musicians of all styles. In the 1990s Ganley was as active as ever, playing club and festival dates throughout the UK with occasional overseas trips. The self-effacing nature of his playing made him a perfect accompanist for pianists such as Teddy Wilson and Al Haig and for singers including

Carol Kidd Carol Kidd MBE (born 19 October 1945) is a Scottish jazz singer. Kidd was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She came to prominence in the mid-1970s, as the vocalist in the band led by vibraphonist / saxophonist Jimmy Feighan. In 1990, she released he ...

and Blossom Dearie. Although less well known for his work as an arranger, Ganley provided charts for many leading British jazz musicians as well as for the BBC Radio Big Band. In 1995, Ganley fell and broke his ankle. Due to this incident and the shock which caused his hair to fall out, he did not play the drums for some time. He would regularly appear on stage wearing a large floppy beret. His drumming continued to entertain jazz lovers until his sudden death in early 2008. It has been stated that, "his work in particular with the late John Dankworth and his singing partner

Cleo Laine Dame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth (born Clementine Dinah Bullock; 28 October 1927)Brian Lemon Brian Lemon (11 February 1937 – 11 October 2014) was a British jazz pianist and arranger. Biography Lemon was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving school in the 1950s, he began playing professionally at Nottingham's Palais de Danse and ...

and the singer Elaine Delmar, provided an outstanding example of inspired tact and rhythmic intelligence."Allan Ganley Obituary
'' The Daily Telegraph'' Retrieved 21 May 2020. Ganley died at Wexham Park Hospital,

Slough Slough () is a town and unparished area in the unitary authority of the same name in Berkshire, England, bordering west London. It lies in the Thames Valley, west of central London and north-east of Reading, at the intersection of the M4 ...

, on 29 March 2008.

Discography

As leader

* ''The Jazz Makers'' with Ronnie Ross (Atlantic, 1960) * ''Bebop Live'' with the University College School All Stars (Spotlite, 2001)

As sideman

With John Dankworth * ''Fair Oak Fusions'' (Sepia, 1982) * ''About 42 Years Later'' (Avid, 2007) With

* ''Down in the Village'' (Fontana, 1963) * ''Late Spot at Scott's'' (Fontana, 1963) * ''A Tribute to Tubbs'' (Spotlite, 1981) * ''Tubbs' Tours'' (Mole, 1981) * ''England's Late Jazz Great'' (IAJRC, 1987) * ''Live in London'' (Harkit, 2004) * ''BBC Jazz for Moderns'' (Gearbox, 2009) * ''Voodoo Session'' (Trunk, 2009) * ''Dancing in the Dark'' (Savage Solweig, 2011) * ''Live at Ronnie Scott's'' (Gearbox, 2017) With Scott Hamilton * ''East of the Sun'' (Concord Jazz, 1993) * ''Live at Brecon Jazz Festival'' (Concord Jazz, 1995) * ''Christmas Love Song'' (Concord Jazz, 1997) With

Cleo Laine Dame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth (born Clementine Dinah Bullock; 28 October 1927)Spike Robinson Henry Bertholf "Spike" Robinson (January 16, 1930 – October 29, 2001) was a jazz tenor saxophonist. He began playing at age twelve, recording on several labels, including Discovery, Hep and Concord. However, he sought an engineering degree and ...

* ''It's a Wonderful World'' (Capri, 1985) * ''In Town'' (Hep, 1987) * ''The Gershwin Collection'' (Hep, 1988) With others * Vic Ash, ''The Eyes Have It'' (ABCDs, 1995) * Bob Barnard, ''Class!'' (Calligraph, 1988) * Ruby Braff, ''First Set'' (Zephyr, 1997) * Ruby Braff, ''The Second Set'' (Zephyr, 1998) *

Dave Cliff Dave Cliff (born 25 June 1944) is a British jazz guitarist. Career Cliff was born in Hexham, Northumberland. In 1967, he moved to Leeds and gained a diploma in jazz studies from Leeds College of Music while studying with bassist Peter Ind an ...

, ''When Lights Are Low'' (Zephyr, 1998) * Tony Coe, ''Blue Jersey'' (ABCDs, 1995) * Tony Coe/ Alan Barnes, ''Days of Wine and Roses'' (Zephyr, 1998) * Kenny Davern, ''The Very Thought of You'' (Milton Keynes Music, 1984) * Blossom Dearie, ''Sweet Blossom Dearie'' (Philips, 1990) * Blossom Dearie, ''Live in London'' (Harkit, 2002) *

Brian Dee Brian Colin Dee (born 21 March 1936, London, England) is an English jazz pianist and former musical director. Biography Dee's musical career started in 1956 after his service with the Royal Air Force was finished. He came to prominence in 1959, ...

, ''Swing Doodle'' (Raphaele, 1980) * Elaine Delmar, ''Strike Up the Band: Elaine Delmar Sings George Gershwin'' (Joy, 2006) *

Jack Dieval Jack may refer to: Places * Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community * Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community * Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA People and fictional characters * Jack (given name), a male given name, ...

, ''Jack Dieval Trio'' (I.T.S. 1978) * Elena Duran, ''California Suite/Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano'' (RCA, 1981) * Elena Duran, Stephane Grappelli, Laurie Holloway, ''Brandenburg Boogie'' (His Master's Voice, 1980) *

Slim Gaillard Bulee "Slim" Gaillard (January 9, 1911 – February 26, 1991), also known as McVouty, was an American jazz singer and songwriter who played piano, guitar, vibraphone, and tenor saxophone. Gaillard was noted for his comedic vocalese singing ...

, ''Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere!'' (Hep, 1983) *

, ''Live in London'' (Harkit, 2002) * Stan Getz, ''Live in London Vol. 2'' (Harkit, 2004) *

Kenny Graham Kenny Graham (born Kenneth Thomas Skingle; 19 July 1924 – 17 February 1997) was a British jazz saxophonist, arranger, composer and essayist, described as "one of Britain's foremost jazz composers and arrangers", and as "a genuine, often overloo ...

, ''Presenting Kenny Graham'' (Vocalion, 2008) * Stephane Grappelli, ''Just One of Those Things'' (EMI, 1984) * Jim Hall, '' Commitment'' (A&M/Horizon, 1976) * Jim Hall, ''Live in London'' (Harkit, 2019) * Joe Harriott &

John Mayer John Clayton Mayer ( ; born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born and raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Mayer attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but left and moved to Atlanta in 1997 with ...

, ''Indo-Jazz Suite'' (Columbia, 1966) * Joe Harriott & John Mayer, ''Indo-Jazz Fusions'' (Columbia, 1967) * Laurie Holloway, ''Hit Parade Holloway Style'' (Pye, 1966) * Laurie Holloway & Cleo Laine, ''Loesser Genius'' (Qnote, 2003) *

, ''The Night We Called It a Day'' (Linn, 1990) * Carol Kidd, ''I'm Glad We Met'' (Linn, 1991) * Roland Kirk, ''Gifts and Messages'' (Ronnie Scott's Jazz House, 1996) *

Brian Lemon Brian Lemon (11 February 1937 – 11 October 2014) was a British jazz pianist and arranger. Biography Lemon was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving school in the 1950s, he began playing professionally at Nottingham's Palais de Danse and ...

& Roy Williams, ''How Long Has This Been Going On?'' (Zephyr, 1996) * Brian Lemon, ''My Shining Hour'' (Zephyr, 2001) * Bill Le Sage/ Ronnie Ross, ''The Bill Le Sage/Ronnie Ross Quartet'' (World Record Club, 1964) * Vic Lewis, ''Big Band Explosion'' (Ember, 1964) *

, ''Indo-Jazz-Fusions'' (Disques Somethin' Else 1969) * Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli, ''Top Hat'' (His Master's Voice, 1984) * Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli, ''Menuhin & Grappelli Play Jealousy & Other Great Standards'' (EMI, 1988) * Marion Montgomery, ''I Gotta Right to Sing'' (Ronnie Scott's Jazz House, 1988) * Marion Montgomery, ''Sometimes in the Night'' (Elgin, 1989) *

David Newton David Newton may refer to: * David Newton (artist) (1953–2011), American artist * David Newton (pianist) (born 1958), Scottish jazz pianist and composer * David Newton (guitarist), with the British band The Mighty Lemon Drops * David George New ...

, ''Victim of Circumstance'' (Linn, 1990) * David Newton, ''Eye Witness'' (Linn, 1991) * Steve Race, ''Take One'' (World Record Club, 1965) * Ernest Ranglin, ''Wranglin' '' (Island, 1964) *

Angela Richards Angela Richards (born 18 December 1944 in London) is an English actress. A graduate of RADA, she is also known for her body of work in musical theatre. Biography Theatre Richards has starred in several West End productions such as ''Robert a ...

, ''Au Cafe Candide'' (BBC, 1981) * Ronnie Scott/ Phil Seamen, ''Ronnie Scott Quintet & Phil Seamen Quintet'' (Gearbox, 2011) * Martin Taylor, ''Don't Fret!'' (Linn, 1990) * Warren Vaché & Alan Barnes, ''Memories of You'' (Zephyr, 1999) * Warren Vache & Tony Coe, ''Street of Dreams'' (Zephyr, 1999) * Warren Vache & Tony Coe, ''Jumpin'' (Zephyr, 1999) * Warren Vache & Dave Cliff, ''The Best Thing for You'' (Zephyr, 2001) * Mary Lou Williams, ''The London Sessions'' (Vogue, 1993) *

Kai Winding Kai Chresten Winding ( ; May 18, 1922 – May 6, 1983) was a Danish-born American trombonist and jazz composer. He is known for his collaborations with fellow trombonist J. J. Johnson. His version of "More", the theme from the movie ''Mondo Ca ...

/Mangelsdorff/Watrous/Whigham, ''Trombone Summit'' (MPS, 1981)

References

External links

Obituary in The Telegraph
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ganley, Allan 1931 births 2008 deaths People from Tolworth British music arrangers English jazz drummers British male drummers British male jazz musicians 20th-century British male musicians