Born at 18 Overleigh Road, Handbridge, Chester, on the 25th January 1928, the only son of Albert and Amy Blake. Paul attended Handbridge Primary School and then Chester City Grammar School. He could never understand why his parents had a piano – neither of them played ! But he did and his mother realised he had a talent ….. and the rest is history.
HISTORY OF WALL CITY JAZZMEN
One of the oldest Jazz Bands in the Northwest, the original Wall City Jazzmen, was formed from The Stan Roberts’ Dance Band.
The Wall City Jazzmen made their debut on the 18th. January 1954 at the old Clemence’s restaurant in Northgate Street Chester. The format was to play Dixieland mainstream jazz and be as versatile as possible. The original band was really the Stan Roberts dance band with Stan Roberts Piano, Tom Jones Trumpet, Ian Ashworth Trombone and Tenor Sax. John Nutthall Double bass, Alan Lewis Drums. Paul Blake was invited to make up the standard front line on Clarinet.
The local newspapers printed advertisements which read Dance to Dixieland Music at THE WALL CITY JAZZ CLUB.
Derek Masters and Don Davies promoted the band. Their intention was to provide an inexpensive post-weekend evening for young people. So successful was it that other bands were promoted for these evenings. These included the Freddie Randal band and the Merseysippi Jazz Band.
Late in that year Gordon Vickers asked them if they would be the resident band at his proposed Wall City Jazz Club at Quaintways which was in the same street as the old venue, the band agreed and this club opened about six months later.
The band moved to Quaintways Restaurant with Wally Robinson, who had become a member of the Stan Roberts’ band on clarinet. Wally left the band to join the Canadian Air force Band in 1957.
Admission was 3 shillings-two shillings and sixpence if you were a member ! The Wall City Jazzmen became a popular Monday night attraction for 20 years.
It was at this venue that a 16 year old Pete Wright joined the band as a featured “Skiffel” singer and guitarist. In 1958 15year old Pat or Trish Fields joined the band, later she turned professional and won the TV New Faces with a band called Whiskey Mac.
On 16th January 1957, Alan Sytner featured the Band, along with the Merseysippi Jazz Band and the Ralph Watmough Band at the opening of the Cavern in Liverpool, soon to succumb to skiffle and the Quarrymen.
Both the Wall City Jazzmen and Trish have their names in bricks on the Wall Of Fame at Liverpool’s Cavern Club.
Guest artists over the years included Earl Hines, Vic Dickinson, Edmund Hall Bud Freeman and many more. It also became quite normal for the band to play at jazz venues in London, such as George Webb’s Hot Club, the Fishmonger’s arms and Cooks Ferry, as well as concerts at the Shakespeare and Empire Theatres in Liverpool. There were also gigs at provincial clubs such as St George’s Hall, Blackburn and the Dudley Hippodrome amongst many others.
However, so did the Wall City Jazz Club at Quaintways. Over the 20 years, that the Band played there the scene gradually changed from featuring some of the great British Jazz Bands and American guests such as Earl Hines to a more “Rock” orientated venue. Guests at this time included such bands as Long John Baldry’s “ Steam Packet “ with Judy Driscoll (Vocals), Elton John (keyboards) and a young Rod Stewart fronting. One foggy night Fleetwood Mac were booked but the evening had very few customers. Quaintways eventually closed only to open again as a nightclub.
After the closure of Quaintways, there was a long period of inactivity (about 18 years) until Paul Blake decided to reform the band in 1993, with Tom Jones (trumpet) and Trish Lewis (vocals) from the original lineup. Gordon Vickers heard about the band’s reformation and invited them to play regularly at his new hotel in Chester, the Mill Hotel and Spa. This was the start of a very long and successful residency, which is still going strong today. Which came to an end in
Trish fields rejoined the Band in the 1990’s.
Trish Fields had to retire in 2005, due to ill health, and Irene Martin became the band’s new singer in 2006. Tom Jones retired in 2008, leaving just Paul Blake from the original band, and Bill Buck who played drums from day one at the Mill.
Malcolm Pendry joined on bass just a few weeks after Bill, and was with the band until he retired in 2017.
On March 26 2018 there was a 25th anniversary celebration of the band’s residency at the Mill. One week later, Paul Blake announced his retirement, having also recently celebrated his 90th birthday; an amazing achievement!
Gordon Vickers has now sold the Mill Hotel, but we remember his famous catch phrase, “It’s free to come in and free to go out”.
The band has now effectively ceased to exist.
Newspaper write up for Pauls Retirement
ONE of Chester’s longstanding and best-known jazz musicians is hanging up his clarinet at the age of 90.
Paul Blake was one of the first members of The Wall City Jazzmen when they performed their first gig at old Clemence’s restaurant on January 18, 1954.
They went on to play across the country – and were even the second act at the opening night of Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club on January 16, 1957.
Businessman Gordon Vickers took the band under his wing and had them perform at his hugely popular Quaintways club, which is now Rosies, where the likes of Elton John and Rod Stewart also played.
Paul, who will play his last gig on Easter Monday 2018, stuck with the band through thick and thin and is the only original member.
They have performed every Monday for the past 25 years at The Mill Hotel, which Mr Vickers recently announced he had sold.
Paul told the Standard that it was with a heavy heart that he decided to retire from a group which had given him so much joy over the years.
“It’s been a huge part of my life and music has helped me a lot over the years,” he said. “But I’m giving up because I know I’m not playing as well as I used to.
“Some may disagree, but I know it’s true and I’d rather retire now with my flags flying!”
Paul, who is a widower with two sons, four granddaughters and one great granddaughter, said he had become a music-lover from an early age when he learnt the piano and saxophone.
After the band was formed it took a while for people to take to the music – until a letter in a newspaper proved a catalyst.
“It didn’t take off for a while,” said Paul. “But then someone wrote a letter saying jazz was disgusting and bands only played in dingy cellars where alcohol and drugs were freely available…
“Well, the next Monday night they were queueing around the cathedral to get in!”
He listed numerous highlights over his 64 years with the band, including playing in New Orleans in America and The Cavern Club, made famous some years later by The Beatles.
“The first thing I noticed about The Cavern Club when I went in was the very narrow staircase,” Paul said. “I remember feeling grateful I only had my clarinet to carry up and down. I felt sorry for the drummer!”
He also has fond memories of Mr Vickers getting on stage to play the washboard and singing.
Asked if the charismatic city entrepreneur could hold a tune, he responded diplomatically: “He’s a great entertainer!”
Paul, who plans to stay in touch with his band mates, added: “Whether the band will be able to carry on playing at The Mill after Gordon leaves I don’t know. I hope so though.”
All are welcome to attend Paul’s final performance with the band on Easter Monday at the hotel’s bar.
“It’s going to be emotional,” he said.
Paul Miles Blake 