Brian John Heatley (17 February 1933 – 10 November 2021), better known as Spike Heatley, was a British jazz double bassist.
Early life
Heatley was born in
Muswell Hill
Muswell Hill is a suburban district of the London Borough of Haringey, north London. The hill, which reaches over above sea level, is situated north of Charing Cross.
Neighbouring areas include Highgate, London, Highgate, Hampstead Garden ...
, North London in February 1933.
Career
He appeared with
Vic Ash's sextet in 1958, together with
Ian Hamer (trumpet),
Johnny Scott (flugelhorn), and
Alan Branscombe (piano) and had then joined
The Jazz Couriers some weeks before they disbanded.
[The Jazz Couriers at David Taylor's British jazz web site](_blank)
He played briefly with the quartet
Tubby Hayes
Edward Brian "Tubby" Hayes (30 January 1935 – 8 June 1973) was a British jazz multi-instrumentalist, best known for his virtuosic musicianship on tenor saxophone and for performing in jazz groups with fellow sax player Ronnie Scott and trump ...
formed immediately afterwards with fellow Couriers Terry Shannon and
Phil Seamen. Heatley then joined pianist
Eddie Thompson's house trio for the opening year at the original
Ronnie Scott's in Gerrard Street, while also playing with
John Dankworth.
Heatley stayed with Dankworth until 1962, then joined the
Tony Coe Quintet, and toured with trumpeter
Kenny Baker. In 1963, he was with the
Bill Le Sage and
Ronnie Ross quartet, with
Allan Ganley. He then began session work in the same rhythm section as
Jimmy Page
James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician and producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the Rock music, rock band Led Zeppelin.
Page began his career as a studio session musician in Lo ...
and
John McLaughlin. He was an early member of Alexis Korner's
Blues Incorporated
Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, or simply Blues Incorporated, were an English British blues, blues band formed in London in 1961, led by Alexis Korner and including at various times Jack Bruce, Charlie Watts, Terry Cox, Ginger Baker, Art W ...
. Between 1970 and 1974, he was part of the jazz-rock fusion act CCS (Collective Consciousness Society) Band, and played on recording sessions for
Rod Stewart
Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...
. In the 1970s, he was in the house band for the children's TV show ''
Play Away''.
During the 1980s and early 90s, he was with the American all-star group the Great Guitars featuring
Herb Ellis,
Charlie Byrd and
Barney Kessel
Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a "first call" gu ...
which also sometimes featured British player,
Martin Taylor. He played in Kessel's trio with
Malcolm Mortimore, with whom he later joined Canadian pianist,
Oliver Jones.
Later life and death
Heatley died in
Dinan
Dinan (; ) is a walled Brittany, Breton town and a commune in France, commune in the Côtes-d'Armor Departments of France, department in northwestern France. On 1 January 2018, the former commune of Léhon was merged into Dinan.
Geography
Inst ...
, France on 10 November 2021, at the age of 88. He was survived by his wife, Stevie, as well as his son and two daughters.
Obituary: Spike Heatley
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Discography
*''Presenting The Bill Le Sage - Ronnie Ross Quartet'' (April 1963) - Bill Le Sage (piano, vibes); Ronnie Ross (baritone sax); Heatley (bass); Allan Ganley (drums)
* 2003:''The Other Side of the Coin'' (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley, (double bass); Roy Williams, (trombone); Danny Moss (tenor saxophone); Mick Hanson (guitar); Dave Newton (piano); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)
* ''One for Clifford and another one for Tubby'' (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley (bass); Alan Barnes (saxes); John Horler (piano); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)
* ''Zurich Express'' (Renella Records) - Spike Heatley (leader/bass); Jim Lawless (vibraphone); Andy Williams (guitar); Malcolm Mortimore (drums)
References
External links
Ron Simmonds at Jazz Professional
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heatley, Spike
1933 births
2021 deaths
21st-century British male musicians
21st-century British double-bassists
British jazz double-bassists
British male jazz musicians
British male double-bassists
People from Muswell Hill