Bill Le Sage

Le Sage was born in London on 20 January 1927.[1] His father, William (1899-1951) was a drummer and his two uncles were both musicians (George - trumpet, saxophone and Ernie - guitar).[1] He started playing the ukulele at the age of eight, and drums at fifteen.[1] He was self-taught as a pianist.[1]

Le Sage's career began in 1945, after he had returned to London after being an evacuee in Sussex, when he led a sextet.[1] He was then a member of army bands while serving with the Royal Signals.[1] He played piano for the Johnny Dankworth Seven in March 1950, but soon switched to vibraphone.[2] He left in 1954 to join the various small groups led by the drummer Tony Kinsey, with whom he stayed until 1961.[1] He then joined baritone sax player Ronnie Ross, with whom he co-led various line-ups until 1966.[1] During this period, Le Sage also played with Kenny Baker's Dozen.[1] He began writing music for television and films.[1]

During the 1960s, Le Sage was with Jack Parnell's ATV orchestra, the Chris Barber Band, and led his group, Directions in Jazz.[1] His composer credits included scores for the films The Tell-Tale Heart (1960), Tarnished Heroes (1961), The Silent Invasion (1961), Strip Tease Murder (1963) and The Court Martial of Major Keller (1964).[3]

He accompanied visiting American musicians, including guitarist Tal Farlow, with whom he struck up a close musical partnership, on an annual basis.[1] In 1969, he formed the Bebop Preservation Society quintet, which he continued for more than two decades.[1] Le Sage also worked with Barbara Thompson's Jubiaba and others.[1][2] During the 1990s, he occasionally played with pianist Tony Lee's group on vibraphone. He died in London on 31 October 2001.[1]

• Presenting The Bill Le Sage – Ronnie Ross Quartet (1963)
• Cleopatra's Needle (1968)
• Live at the Bull – Tribute Vols. 1–2 (2007)

• Le Sage discography