Tony Levin at mac, Birmingham, 9 October 2010 (Photo by Russ Escritt).
We are hugely saddened to report the death of drummer Tony Levin, who passed away today at the age of 71. Tony was a highly regarded jazz drummer and one of our partners on the AHRC KTF project. Together we developed http://tonylevin.org and produced academic research into building British jazz archives.
Tony was highly respected for his performances on several great British jazz albums and performed frequently at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in the 1960s with artists including Joe Harriott, Al Cohn, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Zoot Sims, and Toots Thielemanns.
He was perhaps best known for his work as a member of Tubby Hayes’ Quartet (1965-9), including the seminal record Mexican Green, but also played with numerous groups and artists, including the Alan Skidmore quintet (1969), Humphrey Lyttelton band (1969), John Taylor (1970s), Ian Carr’s Nucleus (1970s), Stan Sulzmann quartet, Gordon Beck’s Gyroscope, European Jazz Ensemble, Third Eye (1979), Rob van den Broeck (1982), Philip Catherine’s trio and quartet (1990s), Sophia Domancich Trio (with Paul Rogers, double bass; 1991-2000) and Philippe Aerts trio and quartet (2000s).
From 1980, Levin worked extensively with saxophonist Paul Dunmall, including as a member of the free jazz quartet Mujician, also with Paul Rogers (double bass) and Keith Tippett (piano).
Tony ran his own monthly club in Birmingham called TL’s Jazz Club and operated his own label, Rare Music Recordings. He had recently completed a successful 70th birthday tour, organised by Birmingham Jazz.
As you can tell from the video below, Tony was a lovely guy, a great storyteller, and a gifted musician. We feel privileged to have known and worked with him. RIP Tony. You will be greatly missed.
For more information, interviews and memorabilia, please visit: http://tonylevin.org.
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Just heard of Tony’s passing from Ali Hurand in Germany. I have had the pleasure of knowing Tony for over 25+ years and could not ask for a nicer man as a friend in music. Fabulous, inspiring and improvisational drummer who has contributed so much to the development of Jazz in the UK on an art level and with grass roots.
He played at my old venue The Albert in Bristol many times and especially remembered with Mujician (Keith, Paul D & Paul R). Great to have him play at Jazz@ Future Inns as recently as Oct’o9 with Ali & The European Jazz Quintet.
On behalf of all who knew and loved Tony in Bristol, I pass on our best wishes to his wife, Chris and family and all the musicians he played with over the years.
Cheers Tony and thanks mate!
Ian Storror