Ian Wheeler - Remembering Ian Wheeler (2016)

Ian Wheeler was one of Trad Jazz's outstanding clarinet players yet remains something of an unsung hero. He first came to public notice as a member of Ken Colyer's Jazzmen which he joined in 1955 replacing Acker Bilk. This was what was known as Colyer's "Classic line-up". He had already developed a distinctive sound and superb inventiveness. He left Colyer to briefly form the Sims-Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band with trumpeter Ken Sims before being asked to join Chris Barber's band to replace the legendary Monty Sunshine. He was with Barber for 27 years. He took a brief break in the middle to co-lead Hefty Jazz with Keith Smith. This double-for-the-price-of-one compilation includes tracks with the various bands he played in plus a few projects he undertook. The musicians include Ken Colyer, Chris Barber, Rod Mason, Acker Bilk, Sammy Rimington and Dick Wellstood. Many of the tracks are previously unissued.

Reed player Ian Wheeler first came to prominence when he replaced Acker Bilk in Ken Colyer’s band in 1954. He showed himself to be a player with a distinctive sound and style. He remained with Colyer throughout the fruitful period of the 1950s before leaving to form the Sims-Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band with trumpeter Ken Sims. His brief tenure in this band was brought to an end by an offer from Chris Barber for him to join the Chris Barber band to replace Monty Sunshine. Ian brought alto and soprano saxes as well as harmonica to the band which filled out the Barber band sound. Ian would spend 27 years with the Barber band, but took a break for a while working with Rod Mason and Keith Smith before returning in 1979 to join what was now the Chris Barber Jazz & Blues Band. This compilation sees Ian with a variety of different bands including special project albums he made and some ‘live’ recordings. Track 1 on disc 1, all the Chris Barber tracks, the Sims-Wheeler tracks and the Lake Records Jazz Band tracks have never been released before. It makes for a hugely varied and highly enjoyable recorded tribute to a very fine player.

TRACKLIST

CD1

01. Ian Wheeler - Over In The Gloryland
02. Ken Colyer's Jazzmen & Ian Wheeler - Beale Street Blues
03. Ken Colyer's Jazzmen & Ian Wheeler - Gravier St. Blues
04. Ken Colyer's Jazzmen & Ian Wheeler - Canal Street Blues
05. Ken Colyer's Jazzmen & Ian Wheeler - Perdido Street Blues
06. The Sims - Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Bye And Bye
07. The Sims - Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Savoy Blues
08. Chris Barber's Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Cottage Crawl
09. Chris Barber's Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Gatemouth
10. Chris Barber's Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - New Stack O' Lee Blues
11. Chris Barber's Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Stevedore Stomp
12. Chris Barber's Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Original Tuxedo Rag
13. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Decatur Streeet Tutti
14. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - My Darling
15. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Hymn To Freedom
16. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Something's Gonna Give Me Away
17. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Once In A While
18. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Was I To Blame
19. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - J
20. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Shoe Shine Boy

CD2

01. The Ian Wheeler - Sammy Rimington Band & Ian Wheeler - Save Your Sorrows
02. Hefty Jazz & Ian Wheeler - Sweet Lorraine
03. Hefty Jazz & Ian Wheeler - S'wonderful
04. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Easter Parade
05. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - 2.19 Blues
06. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Gatemouth
07. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Higher Ground
08. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Everybody Loves My Baby
09. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Honeysuckle Rose
10. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Ole Miss Rag
11. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - The Curse Of An Aching Heart
12. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Hesitation Blues
13. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Sensation
14. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Old Fashioned Love
15. The Ian Wheeler Band & Ian Wheeler - Melt Down
16. The Lake Records Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - Hollandaise
17. The Lake Records Jazz Band & Ian Wheeler - As Long As I Live
18. Chris Barber's Jazz & Blues Band & Ian Wheeler - Alligator Hop
19. Chris Barber's Jazz & Blues Band & Ian Wheeler - South
20. Chris Barber's Jazz & Blues Band & Ian Wheeler - Clarinet Blues