The Melody Maker, which was launched in 1926, was the premier popular music newspaper of the 20th Century. Its annual Jazz Polls were a major event in the Jazz world but also was an important historical record of the state of British Jazz through the years. The Melody Maker ceased publication in 2000 and the quoting of these polls is an attempt to preserve some of the historical perspective on British Jazz, which the Melody Maker dutifully reflected for many years. The British Jazz Sections accompanied the World Jazz Sections which are not included here.
This list covers the 15 years of Jazz polls from 1960 to 1974, during which time there were several major changes in Jazz. There was an obvious move away from Trad Jazz to Modern Jazz, the domination of the former is shown to diminish in the polls from the early 1960s in favour of the latter genre. Also, later in the 1960s there is a presence in the polls of some free Jazz players such as Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley (although Oxley also played ‘straight’ Jazz too). From the early 1970s there was a notable divergence towards fusion with John McLaughlin in the Guitar section and Ian Carr’s Nucleus and later Soft Machine dominating the Small Group section.
This list of British Jazz poll winners aims to provide some kind of perspective on the so-called ‘golden age’ of British Jazz, when for the first time British Jazz musicians were being taken very seriously indeed by their American counterparts. Dankworth was friends with the likes of Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, Hayes recorded with some great American stars, whilst McLaughlin and Holland were eagerly snatched away to the USA by Miles (although they were not the first British musicians Miles had employed, nor the first to be made Jazz stars in America).
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ian Carr’s Nucleus having won the Montreux Jazz Festival and played at Newport were now international stars. Others were gaining or later gained international status, such as Derek Bailey, Tony Coe, John Marshall, Tony Oxley, John Surman and Kenny Wheeler to name just a few. Another factor in the growing international reputation of British Jazz was that the ban on American and British musicians visiting each others’ countries (for Trade Union reasons) was lifted and also the growth of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London acted as a pivotal base at that time for both home grown and international musicians. Lots of other Jazz clubs were thriving at that time including the 100 Club but Jazz musicians were also being given stage room at rock venues, certainly this was the case with Nucleus, Soft Machine, IF, Mike Westbrook’s Solid Gold Cadillac and many others.
Jazz was also benefitting from the rise in first The Beatles and then Rock music and electric Jazz started to become widespread and there were also many crossover bands who straddled both Jazz and Rock such as Brand X, Caravan, Colosseum, Hatfield and The North and The Keef Hartley Band. However by the mid 1970s and especially by 1976 when punk robustly ousted any other musical format for some time (and particularly Prog Rock) Jazz was somewhat doomed and took years to recover in the UK.(Note: For earlier Melody Maker jazz polls British section, click here for the years 1957-1959 as found on David Taylor's excellent 'Modern British Jazz' website.)
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 23 January, 1960, page 3
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Ronnie Ross 2. Ted Heath
3. Humphrey Lyttelton 3. Humphrey Lyttelton
4. Chris Barber 4. Downbeat Big Band / Others
5. Joe Hariott
6. Tubby Hayes
7. Ted Heath
8. Acker Bilk
9. Monty Sunshine
10. Tony Coe
11. Ronnie Scott
12. Kenny Ball
13. Tony Kinsey / Others
Small Combo Trumpet
1. Humphrey Lyttelton 1. Humphrey Lyttelton
2. Jazzmakers 2. Kenny Baker
3. Jazz Committee 3. Bert Courtley
4. Chris Barber 4. Dizzy Reece
5. Joe Harriott 5. Hank Shaw
6. Tony Kinsey 6. Pat Halcox
7. Tubby Hayes 7. Dickie Hawdon
8. Kenny Ball / Alex Welsh 8. Eddie Blair
10. Acker Bilk 9. Kenny Ball
11. Jazz Couriers 10. Al Fairweather
12. Dick Charlesworth / 11. Alex Welsh / Bobby Pratt
Terry Lightfoot 13. Les Condon / Alan Elsdon
14. Clyde Valley Stompers 15. Ken Colyer / Stu Hamer
15. Johnny Dankworth 7 / 17. Leon Calvert / Others
Al Fairweather / Sandy Brown
17. Ken Colyer
18. Eddie Thompson
19. Bruce Turner / Vic Ash
/ Others
Trombone Clarinet
1. George Chisholm 1. Vic Ash
2. Keith Christie 2. Monty Sunshine
3. Chris Barber 3. Tony Coe
4. Johnny Picard 4. Sandy Brown
5. Don Lusher / Ken Wray 5. Henry Mackenzie
7. Laurie Monk 6. Wally Fawkes
8. John Bennett 7. Archie Semple
9. Eddie Harbey 8. Terry Lightfoot
10. Roy Crimmins 9. Dave Shepherd
11. Mac Duncan 10. Dave Jones
11. Tony Milliner / Cyril Preston 11. Acker Bilk
/ Others 12. Sid Phillips
13. Dick Charlesworth
14. Ian Wheeler / Others
Alto Tenor
1. Joe Harriott 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Don Rendell
3. Bruce Turner 3. Jimmy Skidmore
4. Tony Coe 4. Ronnie Scott
5. Alan Branscome / Others 5. Art Ellefson
6. Danny Moss
7. Bob Efford
8. Tommy Whittle
9. Ronnie Ross
10. Betty Smith / Others
Baritone Vibes
1. Ronnie Ross 1. Bill Le Sage
2. Joe Temperley 2. Tubby Hayes
3. Harry Klein 3. Stan Tracey
4. Tubby Hayes / Others 4. Reg Wale
5. Lennie Best
6. Martin Slavin
7. Roy Marsh / Others
Flute Piano
1. Johnny Scott 1. Dill Jones
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Eddie Thompson
3. Phil Goody / Others 3. Stan Tracey
4. Dave Lee
5. Lennie Felix
6. Alan Clare
7. Terry Shannon
8. Ian Armitt / Colin Bates
10. Johnny Parker
11. Steve Race
12. Fred Hunt / Bill Le Sage
14. Bill McGuffie
15. Ken Moule
16. Harry South
Alan Branscombe / Dick Katz
Eddie Harvey / Others
Bass Drums
1. Johnny Hawkesworth 1. Allan Ganley
2. Lennie Bush 2. Tony Kinsey
3. Kenny Napper 3. Phil Seamen
4. Eric Dawson 4. Kenny Clare
5. Coleridge Goode 5. Eddie Taylor
Micky Ashman 6. Ronnie Verrell
7. Brian Brocklehurst 7. Ron Bowden
8. Spike Heatley 8. Jack Parnell
9. Dick Smith 9. Johnny Richardson
10. Vic Pitt 10. Jackie Dougan
11. Pete Blannin 11. Eric Delaney
12. Jeff Clyne 12. Graham Burbidge
13. Arthur Watts Bobby Orr
14. Stan Wasser 14. Tony Crombie
15. Jack Fallon 15. Ron McKay
16. Bill Reid 16. Lennie Hastings / Others
17. Joe Muddel / Others
Guitar Miscellaneous Instrument
1. Dave Goldberg 1. Max Geldray (Harmonica)
2. Diz Disley 2. Dickie Hawdon (French Horn)
3. Ken Sykora 3. Ronnie Chamberlain (Soprano Sax)
4. Ike Isaacs 4. Kenny Baker (Flugelhorn)
5. Bert Weedon 5. Eddie Smith (Banjo)
6. Bill Bramwell John Bastable (Banjo)
7. Judd Proctor 7. Ray Premru (Bass Trumpet)
8. Ivor Mairants 8. Dickie Bishop (Banjo)
9. Dennis Newey 9. Diz Disley (Banjo) / Others
10. Denny Wright / Others
Arranger Composer
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Kenny Graham 2. Kenny Graham
3. Ken Moule 3. Ken Moule
4. Dave Lindup 4. Eddie Harvey
5. Eddie Harvey 5. Bert Courtley
6. Johnny Keating 6. Humphrey Lyttelton /
7. Humphrey Lyttelton Bill Le Sage
8. Tubby Hayes / Others 8. Sandy Brown / Al Fairweather
9. Tubby Hayes
10. Tony Crombie / Dave Lindup /
Others
Male Singer Female Singer
1. George Melly 1. Cleo Laine
2. Bobby Breen 2. Ottilie Patterson
3. Jeremy Lubbock 3. Beryl Bryden
4. Dennis Lotis 4. Rosemary Squire
5. Dickie Valentine 5. Shirley Bassey
6. Ray Ellington 6. Georgia Brown
7. Frank Holder 7. Fiona Duncan / Others
8. Michael Holliday
9. Cab Kaye / Others
Vocal Group New Star
1. Polka Dots 1. Pete King
(The Polka Dots won this section 2. Alan Branscombe
outright - nearest rivals polled 3. Tony Coe
1.8 percent) 4. Stan Tracey
5. Bobby Wellins
6. Joe Harriott
7. Acker Bilk
8. Dick Charlesworth
9. Dudley Moore
10. Derek Warne /
Hank Shaw / Others
Source: Melody Maker, 23 January, 1960
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 28 January, 1961, page 15
Musician of the Year Small Combo
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Terry Lightfoot
3. Chris Barber 3. Humphrey Lyttelton
4. Acker Bilk 4. Joe Harriott
5. Joe Harriott 5. Chris Barber
6. Humphrey Lyttelton 6. Scott-Deuchar
7. Ronnie Scott 7. Tony Kinsey
8. Ian Menzies 8. Ash-Klein Jazz Five
9. Bruce Turner 9. Alex Welsh
10. Terry Lightfoot 10. Bruce Turner
11. Riverside Jazzmen
12. Acker Bilk
Big Band
1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Ted Heath
3. Tubby Hayes
(The MM notes here 'Harry South drew enough support in this section to take
fourth place - but had to be omitted because his band was formed for one date
only - on the BBC's "Jazz Club" airing of November 10.')
Trumpet Clarinet
1. Humphrey Lyttelton 1. Vic Ash
2. Jimmy Deuchar 2. Sandy Brown
3. Kenny Baker 3. Monty Sunshine
4. Bert Courtley 4. Terry Lightfoot
5. Pat Halcox 5. Acker Bilk
6. Alan Elsdon 6. Tony Coe
7. Bob Wallis 7. Alan Cresswell
8. Shake Keane 8. Wally Fawkes
9. Bob Taylor 9. Archie Semple
10. Kenny Ball 10. Forrie Cairns
Flute Trombone
1. Johnny Scott 1. George Chisholm
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Keith Christie
3. Phil Goody 3. Chris Barber
4. Ken Wray
5. Phil Rhodes
6. Johnny Picard
7. Don Lusher
8. Avo Avison
9. Mike Hills
10. Eddie Harvey
Tenor Alto
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Joe Harriott
2. Ronnie Scott 2. Johnny Dankworth
3. Jimmy Skidmore 3. Bruce Turner
4. Don Rendell 4. Tony Coe
5. Danny Moss 5. Pete King
6. Art Ellefson 6. Alan Branscombe
7. Tommy Whittle 7. Harold McNair
8. Kathy Stobart 8. Ian Wheeler
9. Bob Efford 9. Tubby Hayes
10. Bobby Wellins
Baritone Vibes
1. Ronnie Ross 1. Bill Le Sage
2. Harry Klein 2. Tubby Hayes
3. Joe Temperley 3. Lennie Best
4. Tubby Hayes 4. Martin Slavin
5. Stan Tracey
Piano Guitar
1. Dill Jones 1. Diz Disley
2. Terry Shannon 2. Dave Goldberg
3. Eddie Thompson 3. Ken Sykora
4. Lennie Felix 4. Bert Weedon
5. Dave Lee 5. Bill Bramwell
6. Fred Hunt 6. Dennis Newey
7. Stan Tracey
8. Pete Gresham
9. Dudley Moore
10. Stan Greig
Bass Drums
1. Johnny Hawksworth 1. Phil Seamen
2. Kenny Napper 2. Allan Ganley
3. Lennie Bush 3. Tony Kinsey
4. Spike Heatley 4. Johnny Richardson
5. Vic Barton 5. Lennie Hastings
6. Micky Ashman 6. Ron McKay
7. Jack Fallon 7. Kenny Clare
8. Dick Smith 8. Bobby Ore
9. Phil Bates 9. Eddie Taylor
10. Brian Brocklehurst 10. Ronnie Verrell
Misc. Instrument Male Singer
1. Max Geldray (Harmonica) 1. George Melly
2. Hugh Rainey (Banjo) 2. Matt Monro
3. Shake Keene (sic) (Flugelhorn) 3. Bobby Breen
4. Paddy Lightfoot (Banjo) 4. Cab Kaye
5. Tommy Watts (Banjo)
6. Eddie Smith (Banjo)
7. Ron Snyder (Tuba)
8. Kenny Baker (Flugelhorn)
9. Norrie Brown (Banjo)
10. Frank holder (Bongoes)
Female Singer Vocal Group
1. Cleo Laine 1. Polka Dots
2. Ottilie Patterson (The Polka Dots won this section outright
3. Beryl Bryden - nearest rivals polled 4.1 percent)
4. Shirley Bassey
5. Rosemary Squires
6. Fionna Duncan
Composer Arranger
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Kenny Graham 2. Harry South
3. Harry South 3. Kenny Graham
4. Ken Moule 4. Dave Lindup
5. Tubby Hayes 5. Johnny Keating
6. Joe Harriott 6. Eddie Harvey
7. Sandy Brown 7. Ken Moule
8. Humphrey Lyttelton / 8. Chris Barber
Bill Le Sage 9. Tubby Hayes
10. Dave Lindup 10. Humphrey Lyttelton
New Star
1. Brian Dee
2. Dick Morrissey
3. Gus Galbraith
4. Alan Branscombe
5. Tony Manne
6. Bobby Wellins
7. Pete Ridge
8. Harold McNair
9. Dudley Moore
10. Bob Wallis
Source: Melody Maker, 28 January, 1961
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 17 February, 1962, page ii
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Ted Heath
3. Joe Harriott 3. Downbeat Big Band
4. Bruce Turner
5. Humphrey Lyttelton
6. Sandy Brown/Kenny Ball
8. Don Rendell/Ronnie Ross
10 Ted Heath
Combo Male Singer
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Matt Monro
2. Humphrey Lyttelton 2. George Melly
3. Joe Harriott 3. Bobby Breen
4. Bruce Turner 4. Cab Kaye
5. Vic Ash/Harry Klein 5. Clinton Ford
6. Ronnie Scott/Jimmy Deuchar 6. Danny Williams
7. Don Rendell
8. Al Fairweather/Sandy Brown
9. Dudley Moore
10 Jazzmakers
Female Singer Vocal Group
1. Cleo Laine 1. Polka Dots
2. Shirley Bassey
3. Rosemary Squires
4. Helen Shapiro/Elaine Delmar
6. Ottilie Patterson
Trumpet Trombone
1. Humphrey Lyttelton 1. George Chisholm
2. Jimmie Deuchar (sic) 2. Keith Christie
3. Kenny Baker 3. Ken Wray
4. Bert Courtley 4. Don Lusher/John Picard
5. Shake Keane 6. Eddie Harvey
6. Al Fairweather 7. John Mumford
7. Les Condon 8. Tony Milliner
8 Eddie Blair 9. Chris Barber
9. Kenny Ball 10.Roy Crimmins
10 Bobby Pratt
Clarinet Alto
1. Vic Ash 1. Joe Harriott
2. Sandy Brown 2. Bruce Turner
3. Tony Coe 3. Johnny Dankworth
4. Wally Fawkes 4. Tony Coe
5. Henry MacKenzie 5. Harold McNair
6. Archie Semple 6. Graham Bond
7. Acker Bilk 7. Pete King
8. Monty sunshine 8. Alan Branscombe
9. Bruce Turner 9. Tubby Hayes
10.Dave Shepherd
Tenor Baritone
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Ronnie Ross
2. Danny Moss 2. Harry Klein
3. Don Rendell 3. Joe Temperley
4. Ronnie Scott 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Jimmy Skidmore
6. Tony Coe
7. Tommy Whittle
8. Bobby Wellins
9 Art Ellefson
10. Dick Morrissey
Flute Piano
1. Johnny Scott 1. Dudley Moore
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Terry Shannon
3. Harold McNair 3. Eddie Thompson
4. Phil Goody 4. Dill Jones
5. Stan Tracey
6. Lennie Felix
7. Dave Lee
8. Brian Dee
9. Ian Armitt/Fred Hunt
Guitar Bass
1. Dave Goldberg 1. Johnny Hawksworth
2. Diz Disley 2. Kenny Napper
3. Ken Sykora 3. Lennie Bush
4. Bert Weedon 4. Spike Heatley
5. Dennis Newey 5. Jeff Clyne
6. Ike Isaacs 6. Malcolm Cecil
7. Bill Bramwell 7. Coleridge Goode
8. George Kish/Judd Proctor/ 8. Brian Brocklehurst
Tony Pitts 9. Jack Fallon
10. Pete Blannin
Drums Vibes
1. Phil Seamen 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Allan Ganley 2. Bill Le Sage
3. Tony Kinsey 3. Lennie Best
4. Bill Eyden 4. Martin Slavin
5. Eddie Taylor 5. Peter Shade
6. Lennie Hastings
7. Kenny Clare
8. Ronnie Verrell
9. Jackie Dougan
10. Ron Stephenson/Eric Delaney
Miscellaneous Instrument Arranger
1. Shake Keane (Flugelhorn) 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Max Geldray (Harmonica) 2. Dave Lindup
3. Ron Snyder (Tuba) 3. Kenny Graham
4. Kenny Baker (Flugelhorn) 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Ronnie Chamberlain (Soprano sax) 5. Johnny Keating
6. Frank Holder (Bongoes) 6. Harry South / Eddie Harvey
8. Alan Roper
9. Jimmy Deuchar / Stan Tracey /
Joe Harriott
Composer New Star
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Dick Morrissey
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Graham Bond
3. Kenny Graham 3. Dudley Moore
4. Joe Harriott 4. Harold McNair
5. Sandy Brown 5. Dave Castle
6. Stan Tracey 6. Gordon Beck
7. Dave Lindup 7. Shake Keane
8. Harry South 8. Bobby Wellins
9. Humphrey Lyttelton 9. Michael Garrick
Source: Melody Maker, 17 February, 1962
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 16 February, 1963, pages 9 and 12
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Ted Heath
3. Humphrey Lyttelton 3. Colin Hulme
4. Joe Harriott 4. John Williams
5. Sandy Brown
6. Tommy Whittle
7. Ted Heath
8. Bruce Turner
9. Ronnie Scott
10.Don Rendell
Combo Male Singer
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Matt Monro
2. Joe Harriott 2. George Melly
3. Humphrey Lyttelton 3. Bobby Breen
4. Bruce Turner 4. Barry Keith
5. Tony Coe 5. Clinton Ford
6. Al Fairweather / Sandy Brown 6. Danny Williams
7. Tony Kinsey 7. Roy Castle
8. Don Rendell
9. Ronnie Scott
10.Tommy Whittle
Female Singer Vocal Group
1. Cleo Laine 1. Polka Dots
2. Dinah Kayes
3. Shirley Bassey
4. Annie Ross
5. Marion Williams
6. Rosemary Squires
7. Mavis Taylor
Trumpet Trombone
1. Humphrey Lytttelton 1. Keith Christie
2. Jimmy Deuchar 2. George Chisholm
3. Shake Keane 3. John Picard
4. Kenny Baker 4. Don Lusher
5. Bert Courtley 5. Ken Wray
6. Al Fairweather 6. John Mumford
7. Dougie Roberts 7. Eddie Harvey
8. Les Condon 8. Roy Crimmins
9. Eddie Blair / Ken Wheeler 9. Chris Barber
Clarinet Alto
1. Sandy Brown 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Vic Ash 2. Bruce Turner
3. Tony Coe 3. Joe Harriott
4. Colin Hulme 4. Tony Coe
5. Bruce Turner 5. Harold McNair / Graham Bond
6. Henry McKenzie 7. Tubby Hayes
7. Archie Semple
8. Wally Fawkes
9. Acker Bilk
Tenor Baritone
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Ronnie Ross
2. Danny Moss 2. Harry Klein
3. Ronnie Scott 3. Joe Temperley
4. Don Rendell 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Tony Coe 5. Alan Spencer
6. Tommy Whittle
7. Art Ellefson
8. Stan Richards
9. Dick Morrissey
10.Jimmy Skidmore
Flute Piano
1. Johnny Scott 1. Dudley Moore
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Lennie Felix
3. Harold McNair 3. Stan Tracey
4. Phil Goody 4. Terry Shannon
5. Roy East 5. Dave Lee
6. Brian Auger
7. Ian Armit
8. Bill Le Sage
9. Alan Branscombe
Guitar Bass
1. Dave Goldberg 1. Johnny Hawksworth
2. Diz Disley 2. Kenny Napper
3. Alexis Korner 3. Lennie Bush
4. Bert Weedon 4. Spike Heatley
5. Ike Isaacs 5. Brian Brocklehurst
6. Ken Sykora 6. Malcolm Cecil
7. Ray Dempsey 7. Coleridge Goode
8. Dennis Newey / Tony Pitts 8. Jack Fallon
9. Tony Archer
Drums Vibes
1. Phil Seamen 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Allan Ganley 2. Bill Le Sage
3. Tony Kinsey 3. Lennie Best
4. Eddie Taylor 4. Martin Slavin
5. Kenny Clare 5. Alan Branscombe
Miscellaneous Arranger
1. Shake Keane (Flugelhorn) 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Alan Haven (Organ) 2. Dave Lindup
3. Ron Snyder (Tuba) 3. Kenny Graham
4. Don Rendell (Sop sax) 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Jimmy Deuchar (Mellophonium) 5. Johnny Keating
6. Humphrey Lyttelton (Tenor horn) 6. Bill Le Sage
7. Max Geldray (Harmonica) 7. Ted Heath
8. Kenny Baker (Flugelhorn)
Composer New Star
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Alan Haven
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Graham Bond
3. Kenny Graham 3. Brian Auger
4. Sandy Brown 4. Shake Keane
5. Joe Harriott 5. Gordon Beck / Tony Coe
6. Bill Le Sage 7. Dudley Moore
7. Johnny Scott 8. Bobby Wellins
8. Humphrey Lyttelton / Dudley Moore
(there was also a British trad jazz poll in 1963 with Chris Barber's band in top place)
Source: Melody Maker, 16 February, 1963
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 1 February, 1964, page 7
The headline for this year's page was "Tubby still top but Auger is rising fast"
- this was when Brian Auger was playing the piano! Musician of the Year Big Band 1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth 2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Ted Heath 3. Ronnie Scott 3. John Williams 4. Humphrey Lyttelton/ 4. Tubby Hayes Kenny Ball / Brian Auger 7. Joe Harriott 8. Ted Heath 9. Ken Colyer Small Group Male Singer 1. Tubby Hayes 1. Matt Monro 2. Brian Auger 2. George Melly 3. Ronnie Scott 3. Mick Emery 4. Humphrey Lyttelton 4. Bobby Breen 5. Alan Elsdon 5. Long John Baldry 6. Joe Harriott 6. Barry Keith 7. Kenny Ball 7. Clive Peterson 8. Sandy Brown / Al Fairweather 9. Chris Barber 10.Bruce Turner Female Singer Vocal Group 1. Cleo Laine 1. Polka Dots 2. Annie Ross 2. Mick Emery Group 3. Ottilie Patterson 3. Velvettes 4. Joy Marshall 5. Elaine Delmar 6. Jeannie Lambe 7. Millicent Martin / Rosemary Squires 9. Beryl Bryden 10.Mavis Taylor Trumpet Trombone 1. Jimmy Deuchar 1. George Chisholm 2. Humphrey Lytttelton 2. Keith Christie 3. Shake Keane 3. Chris Barber 4. Kenny Ball 4. Phil Rhodes 5. Kenny Baker 5. Don Lusher 6. Alan Elsdon 6. John Picard 7. Ken Coyler 7. Ken Wray 8. Pat Halcox 8. Johnny Mumford 9. Ken Wheeler 9. Roy Crimmins 10.Bert Courtley 10.John Bennett Clarinet Alto 1. Sandy Brown 1. Joe Harriott 2. Vic Ash 2. Johnny Dankworth 3. Acker Bilk 3. Bruce Turner 4. Johnny Barnes 4. Tony Coe 5. Monty Sunshine 5. Tubby Hayes 6. Archie Semple 6. Graham Bond / Johnny Barnes 7. Dave Jones 8. Alan Branscombe 8. Tony Coe 9. Henry McKenzie Tenor Baritone 1. Tubby Hayes 1. Ronnie Ross 2. Ronnie Scott 2. Joe Temperley 3. Danny Moss 3. Harry Klein 4. Dick Morrissey 4. Glen Hughes 5. Don Rendell 5. Tubby Hayes Flute Piano 1. Johnny Scott 1. Brian Auger 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Stan Tracey 3. Harold McNair 3. Ron Weatherburn / Lennie Felix 5. Arthur Wood 6. Dave Lee / Terry Shannon 8. Dudley Moore 9. Bill McGuffie 10.Bill Le Sage Guitar Bass 1. Dave Goldberg 1. Johnny Hawksworth 2. Diz Disley 2. Spike Heatley 3. Alexis Korner 3. Rick Laird 4. Ray Dempsey 4. Mick Gilligan 5. Tony Pitt 5. Malcolm Cecil 6. Mick Emery 6. Kenny Napper 7. Ken Sykora 7. Vic Pitt 8. Coleridge Goode 9. Lennie Bush / Brian Brocklehurst Drums Vibes 1. Allan Ganley 1. Tubby Hayes 2. Phil Seaman (sic) 2. Bill Le Sage 3. Ronnie Stephenson 3. Lennie Best 4. Phil Kinorra 5. Tony Kinsey 6. Keith Webb 7. Lennie Hastings 8. Ronnie Verrell / Ron Bowden 10.Johnny Richardson Miscellaneous Arranger 1. Shake Keane (Flugelhorn) 1. Johnny Dankworth 2. Alan Haven (Organ) 2. Tubby Hayes 3. Jimmy Deuchar (Mellophone) 3. Kenny Graham 4. Graham Bond (Organ) 4. Johnny Keating 5. Humphrey Lyttelton (Tenor horn) 5. Dave Lindup 6. Cyril Davies (Harmonica) 7. Don Rendell (Soprano sax) Composer New Star 1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Brian Auger 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Shake Keane 3. Kenny Graham / Sandy Brown 3. Mike Felana 5. Joe Harriott 4. Graham Bond 6. Bill Le Sage 5. Mick Emery Source: Melody Maker, 1 February, 1964
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 20 February, 1965, page i-iv
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Tubby Hayes
3. Ronnie Scott 3. Ted Heath
4. Joe Harriott 4. Humphrey Lyttleton / Joe Loss / Harry South
Small Group Male Singer
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Matt Monro
2. Joe Harriott 2. Long John Baldry
3. Ronnie Scott 3. Bobby Breen
4. Dick Morrissey 4. George Melly
5. Freddy Randall 5. Georgie Fame
6. Alex Welsh / Stan Tracey
8. Humphrey Lyttleton
9. Tony Kinsey
Female Singer Blues Artist
1. Cleo Laine 1. Long John Baldry
2. Annie Ross 2. Georgie Fame
3. Ottilie Patterson 3. Alexis Korner
4. Millicent Martin 4. Ottilie Patterson
5. Shirley Bassey
6. Joy Marshall
Trumpet Trombone
1. Jimmy Deuchar 1. Keith Christie
2. Humphrey Lyttleton 2. Chris Barber
3. Shake Keane 3. George Chisholm
4. Freddy Randall 4. Ken Wray
5. Kenny Ball 5. Don Lusher
6. Kenny Baker
Clarinet Alto
1. Sandy Brown 1. Joe Harriott
2. Vic Ash 2. Johnny Dankworth
3. Acker Bilk 3. Bruce Turner
4. Monty Sunshine 4. Tony Coe
5. Bruce Turner 5. Graham Bond
6. Archie Semple
7. Tony Coe
Tenor Baritone
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Ronnie Ross
2. Ronnie Scott 2. Joe Temperley
3. Danny Moss 3. Johnny Barnes
4. Dick Morrissey 4. Harry Klein
5. Tony Coe
Flute Piano
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Stan Tracey
2. Johnny Scott 2. Lennie Felix
3. Terry Shannon
4. Ian Armitt
5. Dudley Moore / Fred Hunt / Bill Le Sage
/ Ron Weatherburn
Organ Guitar
1. Alan Haven 1. Ernest Ranglin
2. Georgie Fame 2. Dave Goldberg
3. Graham Bond 3. Diz Disley
4. Manfred Mann 4. Alexis Korner
5. Sandy Brown
Bass Drums
1. Spike Heatley 1. Allan Ganley
2. Johnny Hawksworth 2. Phil Seamen
3. Malcolm Cecil 3. Ronnie Stephenson
4. Kenny Napper 4. Ed Taylor / Tony Kinsey
5. Lennie Bush / Coleridge Goode 6. Kenny Clare
7. Vic Pitt / Rick Laird / 7. Lennie Hastings
Brian Brocklehurst
Vibes Miscellaneous Instrument
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Shake Keane (Flugel)
2. Bill Le Sage 2. Jimmy Deuchar (Mellophonium)
3. Ron Gleaves
4. Mike Hugg
Vocal Group R & B Group
1. Polka Dots 1. Georgie Fame
2. Morgan James Duo 2. Rolling Stones
3. Manfred Mann
4. Long John Baldry
5. Alexis Korner
6. Animals
7. Graham Bond
8. Zoot Money
Arranger Composer
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Tubby Hayes 2. Tubby Hayes
3. Harry South 3. Ian Hamer
4. Kenny Graham
5. Bill Le Sage
New Star:
1. Ernest Ranglin
2. Roy Budd
3. Shake Keane
4. Ian Carr
and the opening commentary for the jazz polls page British section for 1965 went thus:
"Tubby Hayes Does it Again
Tubby Hayes bestrides the British jazz scene like a colossus. Once again his name dominates
the British section of the annual Melody Maker Readers' Jazz Poll. He is musician of the year,
top combo leader, top tenorist, number one on flute and our best vibist. If winning five
sections outright was not enough, he also came second among big bands, composer and arranger"
(Bob Dawbarn)
Source: Melody Maker, 20 February, 1965
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 19 February, 1966, page 13
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Harry South
3. Bruce Turner 3. Tubby Hayes
4. Ronnie Scott 4. Ted Heath
5. Tony Coe 5. New Jazz Orchestra
6. Stan Tracey
7. Joe Harriott
8. Dick Morrissey/George Chisholm
Small Group Trumpet
1. Freddy Randall 1. Freddy Randall
2. Dick Morrissey 2. Humphrey Lyttelton
3. Tubby Hayes 3. Jimmy Deuchar
4. Group Sounds Five 4. Ian Carr
5. Humphrey Lyttelton 5. Shake Keane
6. Joe Harriott/Ronnie Scott 6. Kenny Baker
8. Don Rendell/Stan Tracey
10 Bruce Turner
Trombone Clarinet
1. George Chisholm 1. Sandy Brown
2. Keith Christie 2. Vic Ash
3. Johnny Mumford 3. Bruce Turner
4. Chris Barber 4. Acker Bilk
4. Ray Williams (sic) 5. Alan Cooper/Tony Coe
6. Don Lusher 6. Al Gay
7. Ken Wray
Alto Tenor
1. Bruce Turner 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Joe Harriott 2. Dick Morrissey
3. Johnny Dankworth 3. Ronnie Scott
4. Tony Coe 4. Tony Coe
5. Ray Warleigh 5. Danny Moss
6. Bobby Wellins
7. Al Gay
8. Don Rendell
9. Tommy Whittle
Baritone Flute
1. Ronnie Ross 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Joe Temperley 2. Johnny Scott
3. Johnny Barnes 3. Ray Warleigh
4. Harry Klein
Piano Organ
1. Stan Tracey 1. Alan Haven
2. Dudley Moore 2. Georgie Fame
3. Lennie Felix 3. Brian Auger
4. Michael Garrick/Harry South 4. Graham Bond
Guitar Bass
1. Dave Goldberg 1. Spike Heatley
2. Ernest Ranglin 2. Kenny Napper
3. Diz Disley 3. Brian Brocklehurst/Johnny Hawksworth
4. Alexis Korner 5. Malcolm Cecil/Lennie Bush
5. Terry Smith 6. Vic Pitt
Drums Vibes
1. Phil Seamen 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Allan Ganley/Ronnie Stephenson 2. Bill Le Sage
4. Kenny Clare 3. Ronnie Gleaves
Miscellaneous Instrument Arranger
1. Shake Keane (Flugelhorn) 1. Johnny Dankworth
2. Don Rendell (Soprano) 2. Harry South
3. Ian Carr (Flugelhorn)/ 3. Tubby Hayes
Jimmy Deuchar (Mellophone)
Composer New Star
1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Roy Budd
2. Stan Tracey 2. Dudley Moore/Ian Carr
3. Harry South 4. Ray Warleigh/Norma Winstone
4. Tubby Hayes
Male Singer Female Singer
1. Georgie Fame 1. Cleo Laine
2. Matt Monroe 2. Annie Ross
3. Bobby Breen 3. Norma Winstone
4. George Melly 4. Joy Marshall
5. Long John Baldry
Vocal Group Blues Artist
1. Morgan-James Duo 1. Georgie Fame
2. Polka Dots 2. Long John Baldry
3. Eric Burdon/Alexis Korner
5. George Melly
Source: Melody Maker, 19 February, 1966
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 18 February, 1967, page 15
In the 1967 Jazz poll, the late, great Tubby Hayes grabbed the top positions in four sections: top musician, flute, tenor sax and vibes
Musician of the Year Big Band
1. Tubby Hayes 1. Harry South
2. Stan Tracey 2. Johnny Dankworth
3. Johnny Dankworth 3. New Jazz Orchestra
4. Joe Harriott 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Don Rendell 5. Stan Tracey
6. Ronnie Scott 6. Ted Heath
7. Dick Morrissey
8. Alan Haven
Small Group Male Singer
1. Don Rendell/Ian Carr 1. Georgie Fame
2. Dick Morrissey 2. Matt Monro
3. Tubby Hayes 3. Bobby Breen
4. Freddy Randall
5. Stan Tracey / Alex Welsh
7. Spontaneous Music Ensemble
8. Dudley Moore
9. Mike Westbrook
Female Singer Vocal Group
1. Cleo Laine 1. Morgan James Duo
2. Annie Ross 2. Polka Dots
3. Norma Winstone
4. Joy Marshall
Blues Artist Trumpet
1. Georgie Fame 1. Ian Carr
2. Alexis Korner 2. Freddy Randall
3. Long John Baldry 3. Humphrey Lyttelton
4. John Mayall 4. Kenny Wheeler
5. Eric Burdon 5. Jimmy Deuchar
6. Eric Clapton 6. Shake Keane
7. Stevie Winwood 7. Alex Welsh / Kenny Baker
Trombone Clarinet
1. George Chisholm 1. Sandy Brown
2. Keith Christie 2. Tony Coe
3. Chris Pyne 3. Acker Bilk
4. Roy Williams 4. Vic Ash
5. Johnny Mumford 5. Alan Cooper
6. Chris Barber 6. Bruce Turner
7. Don Lusher 7. Ron Rendell (sic) should be Don!
Alto Tenor
1. Joe Harriott 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Bruce Turner 2. Dick Morrissey
3 Johnny Dankworth 3. Don Rendell
4. Ray Warleigh 4. Bobby Wellins
5. Trevor Watts 5. Ronnie Scott
6. Tony Coe
7. Danny Moss
Baritone Flute
1. Ronnie Ross 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Johnny Barnes 2. Johnny Scott
3. John Surman 3. Harold McNair
4. Harry Klein 4. Ray Warleigh
5. Don Rendell
Piano Organ
1. Stan Tracey 1. Alan Haven
2. Dudley Moore 2. Georgie Fame
3. Mike Garrick 3. Brian Auger
4. Gordon Beck
5. Lennie Felix
Guitar Bass
1. Dave Goldberg 1. Kenny Napper
2. Terry Smith 2. Jeff Clyne
3. Alexis Korner 3. Ron Mathewson
4. Diz Dislwy 4. Spike Heatley
5. Jim Douglas 5. Dave Green
6. Phil Bates
7. Brian Brocklehurst / Peter Ind
9. Johnny Hawksworth
Drums Vibes
1. Phil Seamen 1. Tubby Hayes
2. Alan Ganley 2. Bill Le Sage
3. Lennie Hastings 3. Lennie Best
/ Tony Crombie 4. Alan Branscombe
5. Ronnie Stephenson / Mike Hugg / Ron Gleaves
6. John Hiseman (sic) 7. Mike Carr
/ John Stevens
Miscellaneous Instrument Arranger
1. Don Rendell (Soprano) 1. Harry South
2. David Snell (Harp) 2. Johnny Dankworth
3. Ian Carr (Flugelhorn) 3. Stan Tracey
4. John Mayer (Violin) 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Neil Ardley
Composer LP of the Year
1. Stan Tracey 1. Indo-Jazz Suite - Joe Harriott &
2. Johnny Dankworth John Mayer
3. Harry South 2. Alice in Jazzland - Stan Tracey
4. Mike Garrick 3. Under Milk Wood - Stan Tracey
4. Sound Venture - Georgie Fame / Harry
South
5. Dusk Fire - Don Rendell / Ian Carr
6. Storm Warning - Dick Morrissey
Source: Melody Maker, 18 February, 1967
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 24 February, 1968, page 19
The 1968 headline announced "Tubbs scoops up five firsts" but this was almost the last year
of his dominance in the MM jazz polls. Musician of the Year Big Band 1. Tubby Hayes 1. Johnny Dankworth 2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Tubby Hayes 3. Joe Harriott 3. Mike Westbrook 4. Don Rendell 4. Harry South 5. John Surman 5. Chris MacGregor 6. Ted Heath Small Group Trumpet 1. Don Rendell/Ian Carr 1. Ian Carr 2. Alex Welsh 2. Kenny Wheeler 3. Tubby Hayes 3. Humphrey Lyttelton 4. Dick Morrissey 4. Shake Keane 5. Spontaneous Music Ensemble 5. Ian Hamer 6. Chris MacGregor 6. Alex Welsh 7. Joe Harriott 7. Kenny Baker Trombone Clarinet 1. George Chisholm 1. Sandy Brown 2. Roy Williams 2. Tony Coe 3. Keith Christie 3. Acker Bilk 4. Chris Pyne 4. Don Rendell 5. Paul Rutherford 6. Chris Barber Alto Tenor 1. Joe Harriott 1. Tubby Hayes 2. Bruce Turner 2. Don Rendell 3. Johnny Dankworth 3. Dick Morrissey 4. Trevor Watts 4. Tony Coe 5. Ray Warleigh 5. Ronnie Scott 6. Tony Coe 6. Danny Moss 7. Mike Osbourne (sic) 7. Evan Parker 8. Pete King Baritone Flute 1. Ronnie Ross 1. Tubby Hayes 2. John Surman 2. Harold McNair 3. Johnny Barnes 3. Johnny Scott 4. Don Rendell Piano Organ 1. Stan Tracey 1. Alan Haven 2. Michael Garrick 2. Mike Carr 3. Gordon Beck 3. Georgie Fame 4. Dudley Moore 4. Brian Auger 5. Fred Hunt 6. Roy Budd 7. Chris MacGregor 8. Peter Lemer Guitar Bass 1. Terry Smith 1. Jeff Clyne 2. Dave Goldberg 2. Ron Matthewson (sic) 3. Jim Douglas 3. Dave Green 4. Spike Heatley 5. Kenny Napper Drums Vibes 1. Phil Seamen 1. Tubby Hayes 2. John Stevens 2. Bill Le Sage 3. Ronnie Stephenson 3. Frank Riccotti 4. Jon Hiseman/Kenny Clare 4. Lennie Best 6. Tony Oxley/Tony Crombie 8. Lennie Hastings/Alan Ganley (sic) 10. Trevor Tomkins Miscellaneous Instrument Arranger 1. Don Rendell (Soprano) 1. Johnny Dankworth 2. David Snell (Harp) 2. Harry South 3. Ian Carr (Flugelhorn) 3. Mike Westbrook 4. Evan Parker (Soprano) 4. Graham Collier 5. Stan Tracey 6. Michael Garrick Composer New Star 1. Stan Tracey 1. John Surman 2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Mike Westbrook 3. Michael Garrick 3. Terry Smith 4. Trevor Watts Male Singer Female Singer 1. Georgie Fame 1. Cleo Laine Blues Artist LP of the Year 1. John Mayall 1. 100% Proof (Tubby Hayes) 2. Georgie Fame 2. Fusions (sic) Joe Harriott 3. Alexis Korner and John Mayer 4. Long John Baldry 3. Celebration (Mike Westbrook) 5. Eric Clapton 4. Dusk Fire (Don Rendell and Ian Carr) 5. Deep Dark Blue Centre (Graham Collier) 6. Trio (Mike Taylor) Source: Melody Maker, 24 February, 1968
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 1 March, 1969, page 16
Ian Carr and the Rendell Carr Quintet continued their dominance in trumpet and Small Group
categories whilst some evidence of the 'new wave' of rising British jazz stars was emerging
in the form of Dave Holland, John Surman and Mike Westbrook. Top Musician Big Band 1. Tubby Hayes 1. Mike Westbrook 2. John Surman 2. Ronnie Scott 3. Johnny Dankworth 3. Johnny Dankworth Small Group Male Singer 1. Don Rendell/Ian Carr 1. Georgie Fame 2. Chris McGregor 3. Tubby Hayes 4. Dick Morrissey 5. Spontaneous Music Ensemble 6. Chris MacGregor 7. Joe Harriott Female Singer Blues Artist 1. Cleo Laine 1. John Mayall 2. Eric Clapton 3. Georgie Fame Trumpet Trombone 1. Ian Carr 1. Chris Pyne 2. Kenny Wheeler 2. George Chisholm 3. Hank Shaw 3. Keith Christie Clarinet Alto 1. Sandy Brown 1. Joe Harriott 2. Acker Bilk 2. Peter King 3. Tony Coe 3. Bruce Turner Tenor Baritone 1. Tubby Hayes 1. John Surman 2. Ronnie Scott 2. Ronnie Ross 3. Don Rendell 3. Johnny Barnes Flute Piano 1. Harold McNair 1. Stan Tracey 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Michael Garrick 3. Johnny Scott 3. Gordon Beck Organ Guitar 1. Alan Haven 1. Terry Smith 2. Brian Auger 2. Louis Stewart 3. Mike Carr 3. Dave Goldberg Bass Drums 1. Dave Holland 1. Tony Oxley 2. Dave Green 2. Phil Seamen 3. Ron Mathewson 3. Jon Hiseman Vibes Miscellaneous Inst. 1. Frank Ricotti 1. John Surman (Soprano Sax) 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Johnny Barton (Banjo) 3. Bill Le Sage 3. Don Rendell (Soprano Sax) Arranger Composer 1. Johnny Dankworth 1. Stan Tracey 2. Stan Tracey 2. Michael Garrick 3. Michael Garrick 3. Johnny Dankworth New Star LP of the Year 1. Dave Holland 1. Little Klunk - Stan Tracey 2. Tubby Hayes - Mexican Green 3. Phase III - Rendell Carr Quintet Source: Melody Maker, 1 March, 1969
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 28 February 1970, page 18
Top Musician Big Band 1. John Surman 1. Mike Westbrook 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Tubby Hayes 3. Mike Westbrook 3. Stan Tracey Small Group Male Singer 1. Alex Welsh 1. Georgie Fame 2. Spontaneous Music Ensemble 3. Tubby Hayes Female Singer Blues Artist 1. Cleo Laine 1. John Mayall 2. Norma Winstone 2. Georgie Fame 3. Annie Ross 3. Jo Anne Kelly Trumpet Trombone 1. Kenny Wheeler 1. Malcolm Griffiths 2. Ian Carr 2. Chris Pyne 3. Henry Lowther 3. Paul Rutherford Clarinet Alto Sax 1. Sandy Brown 1. Mike Osborne 2. Tony Coe 2. Joe Harriott 3. Don Rendell 3. Pete King Tenor Sax Baritone Sax 1. Tubby Hayes 1. John Surman 2. Alan Skidmore 2. Ronnie Ross 3. Ronnie Scott 3. Johnny Barnes Flute Piano 1. Harold McNair 1. Stan Tracey 2. Tubby Hayes 2. Mike Pyne 3. Bob Downes 3. Gordon Beck Organ Guitar 1. Alan Haven 1. John McLaughlin 2. Gordon Beck 2. Chris Spedding 3. Brian Auger 3. Terry Smith Bass Drums 1. Jeff Clyne 1. Tony Oxley 2. Ron Matthewson 2. John Marshall 3. Dave Holland 3. John Stevens Vibes Miscellaneous instrument 1. Frank Ricotti 1. John Surman (Soprano Sax) 2. Bill Le Sage 2. Karl Jenkins (Oboe) 3. Tubby Hayes 3. Trevor Watts (Soprano Sax, Stritch) Arranger Composer 1. Mike Westbrook 1. Mike Westbrook 2. Johnny Dankworth 2. Stan Tracey 3. Stan Tracey 3. Johnny Dankworth New star LP of the Year 1. Keith Tippett 1. Extrapolation - John McLaughlin (Marmalade) 2. John McLaughlin 2. Alex Welsh and his Band '69 - Alex Welsh (Columbia) 3. Alan Skidmore 3. Marching Song - Mike Westbrook (Deram) Source: Melody Maker, 28 February, 1970
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 6 March, 1971, page 21
Top Musician Big Band
1. John Surman 1. Mike Westbrook
2. Mike Gibbs 2. Mike Gibbs
3. Chris McGregor/John McLaughlin 3. Brotherhood of Breath
Small Group Male Singer
1. Nucleus 1. Georgie Fame
2. The Trio 2. Jack Bruce
3. Alex Welsh 3. Robert Wyatt
Female Singer Blues Artist
1. Norma Winstone 1. John Mayall
2. Cleo Laine 2. Alexis Korner
3. Julie Driscoll 3. Jo-Ann Kelly
Trombone Trumpet
1. Paul Rutherford 1. Kenny Wheeler
2. Malcolm Griffiths 2. Henry Lowther
3. Nick Evans 3. Mongesi Feza/Ian Carr
Clarinet Alto Sax
1. Sandy Brown 1. Mike Osborne
2. Mike Osborne 2. Trevor Watts
3. Tony Coe 3. Elton Dean
Tenor Sax Baritone Sax
1. Alan Skidmore 1. John Surman
2. Evan Parker 2. Johnny Barnes
3. Tubby Hayes 3. Ronnie Ross
Flute Piano
1. Harold McNair 1. Keith Tippett
2. Bob Downes 2. Howard Riley
3. Ray Warleigh 3. John Taylor
Organ Guitar
1. Mike Ratledge 1. John McLaughlin
2. Brian Auger 2. Chris Spedding
3. Alan Haven 3. Derek Bailey
Bass Drums
1. Dave Holland 1. Tony Oxley
2. Jack Bruce 2. John Marshall
3. Barry Guy 3. Louis Moholo/Jon Hiseman
Vibes Miscellaneous Inst
1. Frank Ricotti 1. John Surman (soprano sax
2. Bill Le Sage 2. Karl Jenkins (oboe)
3. Tubby Hayes 3. Elton Dean (saxello)
Arranger Composer
1. Mike Gibbs 1. Mike Gibbs
2. Mike Westbrook 2. Mike Westbrook
3. Neil Ardley 3. Tony Oxley
New Star LP of the Year
1. Mike Gibbs 1. "The Trio" (Dawn)
2. John McLaughlin 2. "Michael Gibbs" (Deram)
3. Mike Osborne 3. Tony Oxley: "Four Compositions
for Sextet" (CBS)
Source: Melody Maker, 6 March, 1971
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 26 February, 1972, page 16
Top Musician Big Band
1. John Surman 1. Centipede
2. Keith Tippeett 2. Brotherhood of Breath
3. Harry Beckett/Mike Gibbs 3. Mike Gibbs
Small Group Male Singer
1. Nucleus 1. Jack Bruce
2. Soft Machine 2. Robert Wyatt
3. John Surman Trio 3. Georgie Fame
Female Singer Blues Artist
1. Norma Winstone 1. John Mayall
2. Julie Tippett (sic) 2. Alexis Korner
3. Cleo Laine 3. Duster Bennett
Trombone Trumpet
1. Paul Rutherford 1. Harry Beckett
2. Malcolm Griffiths 2. Kenny Wheeler
3. Nick Evans 3. Ian Carr
Clarinet Soprano Sax
1. Mike Osborne 1. John Surman
2. Tony Coe 2. Evan Parker
3. Sandy Brown 3. Don Rendell
Alto Sax Tenor Sax
1. Mike Osborne 1. Alan Skidmore
2. Elton Dean 2. Evan Parker
3. Pete King 3. Ronnie Scott/
Brian Smith
Baritone Sax Flute
1. John Surman 1. Bob Downes
2. Johnny Barnes 2. Ray Warleigh
3. Ronnie Ross / Karl Jenkins 3. Barbara Thompson
Piano Organ
1. Keith Tippett 1. Mike Ratledge
2. John Taylor 2. Alan Haven
3. Howard Riley 3. Mike Carr
Guitar Bass
1. John McLaughlin 1. Jack Bruce
2. Chris Spedding 2. Barry Guy
3. Derek Bailey 3. Dave Holland
Violin
1 Henry Lowther
2. Dave Arbus / Rab Spall
Drums Vibes
1. Tony Oxley 1. Frank Ricotti
2. John Marshall/ 2. Bill Le Sage
Louis Moholo
Miscellaneous Inst Arranger
1. Karl Jenkins, oboe 1. Mike Gibbs
2. Harry Beckett, flugelhorn 2. Neil Ardley
3. Mike Westbrook / Barry Guy
Composer New Star
1. Mike Gibbs 1. Stan Sulzmann
2. Keith Tippett 2. Elton Dean / Marc Charig
3. Mike Westbrook
LP of the Year
1. Septober Energy, Centipede
2. Tanglewood '63, Mike Gibbs
3. Solar Plexus, Ian Carr
Source: Melody Maker, 26 February, 1972
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 30 June 1973, page 26
Top Musician Big Band
1. John McLaughlin / Mike Gibbs 1. Mike Gibbs
3. John Surman 2. Brotherhood of Breath
4. Stan Tracey 3. London Jazz Composers Orchestra
5. Johnny Dankworth 4. Centipede
5 Johnny Dankworth/
Maynard Ferguson (sic)
Small Group Male Singer
1. Nucleus 1. George Melly
2. Soft Machine 2. Jack Bruce
3. Back Door 3. Robert Wyatt
4. Iskra 1903 4. Georgie Fame
5. Alex Welsh 5. Bobby Breen/Phil Minton
Female Singer Blues Artist
1. Norma Winstone 1. John Mayall
2. Cleo Laine 2. Alexis Korner
3. Julie Tippett (sic) 3. Duster Bennett
4. Annie Ross 4. Eric Clapton
5. Maggie Nichols 5. George Melly/Rory Gallagher
Trumpet Trombone
1. Harry Beckett 1. Paul Rutherford
2. Kenny Wheeler 2. Malcolm Griffiths
3. Ian Carr 3. Nick Evans
4. Marc Charig 4. George Chisholm
5. Henry Lowther 5. Roy Williams
Clarinet Soprano Sax
1. Mike Osborne 1. John Surman
2. Tony Coe 2. Evan Parker
3. Sandy Brown 3. Lol Coxhill
4. Acker Bilk 4. Don Rendell
5. John Surman/Dave Shepherd 5. Trevor Watts
Alto Sax Tenor Sax
1. Mike Osborne 1. Alan Skidmore
2. Elton Dean 2. Evan Parker
3. Trevor Watts 3. Brian Smith
4. Peter King 4. Tubby Hayes
5. Bruce Turner 5. Ronnie Scott/Don Rendell
Baritone Sax Flute
1. John Surman 1. Bob Downes
2. Ronnie Ross 2. Ray Warleigh
3. Johnny Barnes 3. Tubby Hayes
4. Karl Jenkins 4. Jimmy Hastings
5. Johnny Scott
Piano Organ
1. Stan Tracey 1. Mike Ratledge
2. John Taylor 2. Alan Haven
3. Keith Tippett 3. Mike Carr
4. Howard Riley 4. Dave McRae (sic)
5. Chris McGregor 5. Harry Stoneham
Guitar Bass
1. John McLaughlin 1. Dave Holland
2. Derek Bailey 2. Barry Guy
3. Gary Boyle 3. Roy Babbington
4. Alan Holdsworth (sic) 4. Harry Miller
5. Chris Spedding 5. Jack Bruce/Jeff Clyne
Drums Violin
1. John Marshall 1. Henry Lowther
2. Tony Oxley
3. Louis Moholo
4. John Stevens
5. Jon Hiseman
Vibes Miscellaneous instrument
1. Frank Ricotti 1. Karl Jenkins
2. Bill Le Sage 2. Elton Dean
3. Tubby Hayes 3. John Surman
4. Harry Beckett/Evan Parker/Kenny Wheeler
Arranger Composer
1. Mike Gibbs 1. Mike Gibbs
2. Barry Guy 2. Stan Tracey
3. Neil Ardley 3. Ian Carr
4. Johnny Dankworth 4. John Surman/Keith Tippett/Howard Riley
5. Stan Tracey
New star LP of the Year
1. Alan Holdsworth 1. Soft Machine 6 / Iskra 1903
2. Elton Dean 2. Belladonna - Nucleus (sic)
3. Back Door 3. Phil Seamen
4. Colin Hodgkinson/Dave McRae 4. Metropolis - Mike Westbrook
Source: Melody Maker, 30 June, 1973
Melody Maker Jazz Poll British Section, 29 June 1974, page 54
Top Musician Big Band
1. Mike Gibbs 1. Mike Gibbs
2. John Dankworth 2. John Dankworth
3. John Surman/Stan Tracey 3. Brotherhood of Breath
5. John McLaughlin 4. NYJO
5. Syd Lawrence/Centipede/Alan Cohen
Small Group Male Singer
1. Soft Machine 1. George Melly
2. Freddie Randall 2. Robert Wyatt
3. S.O.S. 3. Jack Bruce
4. Isotope 4. Mark Murphy
5. Paraphernalia 5. Georgie Fame/Phil Minton
Female Singer Blues Artist
1. Cleo Laine 1. John Mayall
2. Norma Winstone 2. George Melly
3. Julie Tippett 3. Eric Clapton
4. Annie Ross/Maggie Nichols 4. Alexis Korner
5. Back Door
Trumpet Trombone
1. Kenny Wheeler 1. Paul Rutherford
2. Harry Beckett 2. Malcolm Griffiths
3. Ian Carr 3. Nick Evans
4. Freddie Randall 4. Chris Pyne
5. Henry Lowther 5. George Chisholm
Clarinet Soprano Sax
1. Sandy Brown 1. John Surman
2. Tony Coe 2. Lol Coxhill
3. Mike Osborne 3. Evan Parker/Al Gray
4. John Surman 5. Trevor Watts
5. Al Gay
Alto Sax Tenor Sax
1. Mike Osborne 1. Alan Skidmore
2. Elton Dean 2. Evan Parker
3. John Dankworth 3. Danny Moss
4. Bruce Turner 4. Ronnie Scott
5. Pete King 5. Don Rendell
Baritone Sax Flute
1. John Surman 1. Bob Downes
2. Ronnie Ross 2. Barbara Thompson
3. Karl Jenkins 3. Ray Warleigh
4. Johnny Barnes 4. Jimmy Hastings
5. Brian Smith
Piano Organ
1. Stan Tracey 1. Mike Ratledge
2. Brian Lemon 2. Mike Carr
3. John Taylor 3. Alan Haven
4. Keith Tippett 4. Dave McRae
5. Gordon Beck 5. Brian Auger
Guitar Bass
1. John McLaughlin 1. Roy Babbington/Ron Mathewson
2. Derek Bailey 3. Barry Guy
3. Gary Boyle 4. Chris Laurence
4. Terry Smith 5. Lennie Bush/Dave Holland
5. Diz Disley
Drums Violin
1. John Marshall 1. Henry Lowther
2. Tony Oxley 2. Fred Frith
3. John Stevens 3. Dave Arbus/Allan Holdsworth
4. Lennie Hastings
5. Jon Hiseman
Vibes Miscellaneous instrument
1. Frank Ricotti 1. Karl Jenkins (Oboe)
2. Bill Le Sage 2. John Surman (Moog/Bass clarinet)
3. Alan Branscombe 3. Kenny Wheeler (Flugelhorn)
Arranger Composer
1. Mike Gibbs 1. Mike Gibbs
2. John Dankworth 2. John Dankworth
3. Neil Ardley 3. Ian Carr
4. Alan Cohen 4. Mike Westbrook/John Surman
New star LP of the Year
1. Gary Boyle 1. "In the Public Interest" Mike Gibbs (Polydor)
2. Barbara Thompson 2. "Original" Stan Trace/Mike Osborne (Cadillac)
3. Colin Hodgkinson 3. "Soft Machine 7" Soft Machine (CBS)
Stan Sulzmann/Derek Bailey 4. "Isotope" Isotope (Gull)
5. "Morning Glory" John Surman (Island)
Source: Melody Maker, 29 June, 1974
Thanks to the National Jazz Archive for assistance in obtaining some of the Melody Maker details
