George Cassidy (7 September 1936 – 28 May 2023) was a Northern Irish jazz musician and music teacher from Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland, who specializing in the tenor saxophone. He was also noted for teaching fellow Belfast musician Van Morrison music reading and notation and giving him saxophone lessons.[1][2] Cassidy also played the clarinet, hurdy-gurdy and Hawaiian Guitar. Following a stint in a local beat band, Cassidy was lead saxophonist with the Regal Accordion & Saxophone Band.[3][4]
George Cassidy | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | George Cassidy |
| Born | 7 September 1936 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Origin | Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 28 May 2023 |
| Genres | Jazz, beat music, blues pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Jazz musician, music teacher |
| Instrument(s) | Tenor saxophone, clarinet, lap steel guitar, hurdy-gurdy |
| Website | georgecassidyjazz |
History
editEarly life and an introduction to music
editGeorge Cassidy was born on 7 September 1936, at 49 Hyndford Street, Bloomfield, Belfast. He lived with his younger brother, William Cassidy,[5] and his mother, Sarah "Sadie" Cassidy,[6] and his father, a laborer, George Cassidy Snr. Cassidy attended Elmgrove Elementary School from 1940 until 1952.[7] Hyndford Street became known for the location where Van Morrison also grew up, the pair became best friends.[8] As they lived on the same street, it became easily accessible for Morrison to practice and continue to learn. This in turn strengthened the bond between the two.[9][10] George took inspiration from various artists, such as Matt Monro, whom he first met in Glasgow. George Cassidy, playing the saxophone joined a Beat Band in Belfast. Cassidy went on to join the Regal Accordion & Saxophone Band in the late 1950s. They were known for their unique style, energy and charisma. The band would play a variety of genres, including pop songs of the time, like "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles, and traditional jazz.
George Cassidy had played a significant role in the early career of the musician Van Morrison. Their friendship and collaboration had a profound impact on Morrison's development as an artist.[11][12][13] Van Morrison later said: "At 15, I was taking lessons from a guy called George Cassidy, who lived in the same street. He was a great jazz player. He had the chops."[14][15] "When I started studying tenor saxophone as a kid in Belfast, I did so with a guy named George Cassidy, who was also a big inspiration."[16][17][18]
As a devoted tenor saxophonist, Cassidy opted for the Henri Selmer Paris, for its warm, rich and expressive tone, as well as its hand-made, durable craftsmanship and quality.[19]
The Regal Band and legacy
editCassidy performed in various charitable, community, historic and remembrance events throughout Northern Ireland. Aside from the centerpiece instruments - accordion and saxophone, the band also had trumpet players, and in percussion - snare drum, clash cymbals and bass drum. Cassidy with The Regal performed a number of times at The Grand Opera House, supporting act for Donald Peers and Nancy Whiskey. The sold-out event led them to return for a grand performance.[20][21][22]
The band picked up songs outside the traditional songs played in the 20th century in Northern Ireland, such as When the Saints go marching in, Hokey Cokey, and Lily of Laguna. These performances made them very popular in areas around Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Derry. They performed at various community and social events, in November 1987, they performed to support BBC Children in Need.
In September 1970, George Magill, conductor of The Regal Band arranged for their performance in regards to the Championship bands contest, at UEFA European Cup Winners' Cup tie between Linfield FC and Manchester City.[23] Being a staple on remembrance day events, the Regal Band led on Remembrance Day, 11 November 1972, during the wreath-laying ceremony and sounding of "The Last Post".[24]
In August 1985, The Regal Band gave their recitals at the Donaghadee Young Defenders band contest during the towns Festival Week, showing their "marvellous brand of music - marvellous sound from a multitude of different instruments". Following the contest, The Regal were presented with the award, amidst the applause the crowds and other bands taking part.[25]
Van Morrison, would write songs about his time growing up in Bloomfield, and would describe his time playing saxophone with Cassidy, such as in his 1982 song "Cleaning Windows"[26]
Personal life
editGeorge Cassidy grew up on Hyndford Street, he had a brother, William. He married and moved to Dundonald, and had children. He worked for John Kelly Limited at Queen's Quay, Belfast. Cassidy enjoyed Horse Racing, and frequented the Canberra Bar, Monico and The Raven Social Club. His favourite drinks were Guinness and demerara rum.[citation needed]
Cassidy was a freemason and a member of Unite the Union.[27]
Cassidy died on 28 May 2023, he was buried at Roselawn Cemetery.[28] Cassidy's contributions to the music scene extended beyond his mentorship of Morrison. He was a talented musician in his own right, performing with various bands and contributing to the vibrant music culture of Belfast. His legacy lives on through the local culture and people around him in Belfast.
References
edit- ^ Rogan, Johnny (2006). Van Morrison: No Surrender. Northern Ireland: Vintage Books. p. 32. ISBN 9780099431831.
- ^ "Van Morrison Discover Brighton". 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "BYGONE DAYS OF YORE: 1845 -'Very mention of Twelfth helps make the heart beat faster'". News Letter. The Newsroom. 25 June 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Stars Shine at Launch of Appeal". Carrick Times and East Antrim Times.
- ^ "Funeral Times | Death Notice WILLIAM (BILLY) CASSIDY". www.funeraltimes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Death Notices in Northern Ireland - Pg 640 - belfasttelegraph.co.uk/classifieds". classifieds.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "History | Elmgrove Primary School". www.elmgroveprimary.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Hyndford Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim". WartimeNI. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ Heylin, Clinton (October 2004). Can You Feel the Silence? Van Morrison: a New Biography (2nd ed.). USA: Chicago Review Press. ISBN 9781556525421.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Van Morrison on going back to his skiffle roots, writing for Kenneth Branagh's Belfast and how David Bowie nearly went Into the Mystic..." The Irish News. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ https://www.oocities.org/tracybjazz/hayward/van-the-man.info/miscellaneous/themchrono.html
- ^ "Van in Lockdown". Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ Collis, John (1996). Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech of the Heart (Illustrated ed.). Brown Little. ISBN 9780316876407.
- ^ "Van Morrison in lockdown: 'I am trying to get back into writing songs'". The Independent. 2020-03-31. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Van Morrison on his musical memories and what he sings when he's washing his hands". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2020-04-01. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Van Morrison Quote: "When I started studying tenor saxophone as a kid in Belfast, I did so with a guy named George Cassidy, who was also a..."". quotefancy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Van Morrison Quote". A-Z Quotes. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "PictureQuotes.com". PictureQuotes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Henri SELMER Paris - Discover the saxophone range". Henri SELMER Paris. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Grand Opera House". Belfast Telegraph. 22 March 1960. p. 7.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004162/19600319/031/0002
- ^ "Grand Opera House". Ireland's Saturday Night. 19 March 1960.
- ^ https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004162/19700926/082/0006
- ^ https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005119/19721111/413/0007
- ^ "Regal Strains From The 'Dee". Ulster Star.
- ^ https://archive.org/details/vantheman
- ^ "IRISH MASONIC LODGES". www.irish-tokens.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Funeral Times | Death Notice George CASSIDY". www.funeraltimes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.