Spike Heatley
Encyclopedia
Spike Heatley, born North London, February 17, 1933, is a British jazz bassist.
Heatley was with Vic Ash
's sextet in 1958, together with Ian Hamer (tp), Johnny Scott
(fl), and Alan Branscombe
(p) and had then joined The Jazz Couriers
some weeks before they disbanded. He went on to play briefly with the quartet Tubby Hayes
formed immediately afterwards with fellow Couriers Terry Shannon and Phil Seaman
.
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 joining the Tony Coe
Quintet, and touring 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
and John McLaughlin
. He was an early member of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated
. Between 1970 and 1974 he was part of successful jazz-rock fusion act CCS, and played on recording sessions for Rod Stewart
.
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
which also sometimes featured British player, Martin Taylor.
He went on to play in Kessel's trio with Malcolm Mortimore
, with whom he later joined Canadian pianist, Oliver Jones.
These days, Spike spends most of his time over in France.
Heatley was with Vic Ash
Vic Ash
Victor "Vic" Ash , is an English jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.Ash began playing professionally in 1951 when, together with Tubby Hayes, he joined the band of Kenny Baker, with whom he played until 1953...
's sextet in 1958, together with Ian Hamer (tp), Johnny Scott
John Scott (composer)
John Scott , also known as Johnny Scott and Patrick John Scott, is a British composer and conductor. Scott has worked with some of the world's foremost producers and directors including Richard Donner, Norman J...
(fl), and Alan Branscombe
Alan Branscombe
Alan Branscombe was an English jazz pianist, vibraphonist, and alto saxophonist.Branscombe's father and grandfather were also professional musicians. He played drums with Victor Feldman in a talent show as a child. He began on alto sax at age six, and played in the army with Jeff Clyne in 1954-56...
(p) and had then joined The Jazz Couriers
The Jazz Couriers
The Jazz Couriers were a British jazz quintet formed in April 1957 and which disbanded in August 1959.The quintet's first line-up consisted of Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott on tenor saxophones, with Terry Shannon , Malcolm Cecil and Bill Eyden and made their debut on the opening night at the new...
some weeks before they disbanded. He went on to play briefly with the quartet Tubby Hayes
Tubby Hayes
Edward Brian "Tubby" Hayes was an English jazz multi-instrumentalist, best known for his tenor saxophone playing in groups with fellow sax player Ronnie Scott and with trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest British jazz instrumentalists.- Early life :Hayes was born...
formed immediately afterwards with fellow Couriers Terry Shannon and Phil Seaman
Phil Seaman
Phil Seaman was an English piano based singer-songwriter who found fame with his hit single "Rain" in 1972, and the album Vermillion Memoirs of the same year....
.
Heatley then joined pianist Eddie Thompson
Eddie Thompson (musician)
Eddie Thompson b. London 31 May 1925, d. 6 November 1986 was a British jazz pianist.After studying at the same school for the blind as George Shearing, Thompson recorded with Victor Feldman in the late 1940s. In the 1950s he worked with Tony Crombie, Vic Ash, Freddy Randall and Tommy Whittle and...
's house trio for the opening year at the original Ronnie Scott's in Gerrard Street, while also playing with John Dankworth
John Dankworth
Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, CBE , known in his early career as Johnny Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist and clarinetist...
.
Heatley stayed with Dankworth until 1962, then joining the Tony Coe
Tony Coe
Anthony George Coe is a composer and jazz musician who plays clarinet, bass clarinet, and tenor saxophone.Coe began his performing career playing with Humphrey Lyttelton's band from 1957 to 1962...
Quintet, and touring with trumpeter Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker
Kenneth George "Kenny" Baker is a British actor and musician, best known as the man inside R2-D2 in the popular Star Wars film series.- Career :...
. In 1963 he was with the Bill Le Sage
Bill Le Sage
Bill Le Sage, born William A. Le Sage, born London - died , London, was a British pianist, vibraphonist, arranger, composer and bandleader. His credits include the score for the 1960 film The Tell-Tale Heart....
and Ronnie Ross
Ronnie Ross
Albert Ronald "Ronnie" Ross was a jazz baritone saxophonist.Ross moved to England in 1946 and began playing tenor saxophone in the 1950s with Tony Kinsey, Ted Heath, and Don Rendell. During his tenure with Rendell he switched to baritone saxophone...
quartet, with Allan Ganley
Allan Ganley
Allan Ganley was a respected English jazz drummer and arranger, who played with many famous names....
. He then began session work in the same rhythm section as Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
and John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
. He was an early member of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated
Blues Incorporated
Blues Incorporated were a British R&B band in the early 1960s, led by Alexis Korner and featuring at various times Jack Bruce, Charlie Watts, Terry Cox, Ginger Baker, Long John Baldry, Ronnie Jones, Danny Thompson, Graham Bond, Cyril Davies, Malcolm Cecil and Dick Heckstall-Smith.-History:Korner ...
. Between 1970 and 1974 he was part of successful jazz-rock fusion act CCS, and played on recording sessions for Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
.
In the 1970s he was in the house band for the children's TV show Play Away
Play Away
Play Away was a sister programme to Play School in the UK, aimed at slightly older children. It ran from 1971 until 1984. While Play School had a more gentle, intimate feel, featuring just two presenters in a studio with the usual collection of toys and pets, Play Away was much more lively,...
.
During the 1980s and early 90s, he was with the American all star group the Great Guitars featuring Herb Ellis
Herb Ellis
Mitchell Herbert "Herb" Ellis was an American jazz guitarist. Perhaps best known for his 1950s membership in the trio of pianist Oscar Peterson, Ellis was also a staple of west-coast studio recording sessions, and was described by critic Scott Yanow as "an excellent bop-based guitarist with a...
, Charlie Byrd
Charlie Byrd
Charlie Lee Byrd was a famous and versatile American guitarist born in Suffolk, Virginia. His earliest and strongest musical influence was Django Reinhardt, the famous gypsy guitarist. Byrd became the American guitarist who best understood and played Brazilian music, especially the Bossa Nova genre...
and Barney Kessel
Barney Kessel
Barney Kessel was an American jazz guitarist born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. Generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century, he was noted in particular for his vast knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies...
which also sometimes featured British player, Martin Taylor.
He went on to play in Kessel's trio with Malcolm Mortimore
Malcolm Mortimore
Malcolm Paul Mortimore , is a drummer who has played with Gentle Giant, Spike Heatley, Tom Jones, Troy Tate, Ian Dury, G.T. Moore, Mick and Chris Jagger, Frankie Miller, Oliver Jones, and Barney Kessel.-External links:*...
, with whom he later joined Canadian pianist, Oliver Jones.
These days, Spike spends most of his time over in France.
Discography
- Presenting The Bill Le Sage - Ronnie Ross Quartet (April 1963) - Bill Le SageBill Le SageBill Le Sage, born William A. Le Sage, born London - died , London, was a British pianist, vibraphonist, arranger, composer and bandleader. His credits include the score for the 1960 film The Tell-Tale Heart....
(piano, vibes); Ronnie RossRonnie RossAlbert Ronald "Ronnie" Ross was a jazz baritone saxophonist.Ross moved to England in 1946 and began playing tenor saxophone in the 1950s with Tony Kinsey, Ted Heath, and Don Rendell. During his tenure with Rendell he switched to baritone saxophone...
(baritone sax); Heatley (bass); Allan GanleyAllan GanleyAllan Ganley was a respected English jazz drummer and arranger, who played with many famous names....
(drums) - 2003:The Other Side of the Coin - (Renella 01) - Heatley, Double Bass; Roy Williams, Trombone; Danny MossDanny MossDennis "Danny" Moss MBE was a British jazz tenor saxophonist. He was known for playing with most of the high profile figures of British jazz, including Vic Lewis, Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, Alex Welsh, and Humphrey Lyttelton....
, Tenor Saxophone; Mick Hanson, Guitar; Dave Newton, Piano; Malcolm MortimoreMalcolm MortimoreMalcolm Paul Mortimore , is a drummer who has played with Gentle Giant, Spike Heatley, Tom Jones, Troy Tate, Ian Dury, G.T. Moore, Mick and Chris Jagger, Frankie Miller, Oliver Jones, and Barney Kessel.-External links:*...
, Drums