Very sad news. R.I.P. British banjo player John Field

[thereallyniceman]

Shortly after Tony Bryan was back here on site joking with Rob Murch he received some very sad news about Classic Banjo player and website member John Field. 

He asked if I would share it with you.

I am sorry to have to tell you that John Field passed on last night. He was 74.  In January of this year he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and in spite of a very aggressive program of chemotherapy he never improved. A month ago he was put on end of life procedures. 
He never married.  He is survived by his sister. 

Tony

Tony says that he will be putting a few words together about fellow player and friend John. If anyone who knew him would like to add comments please do.

[Joel Hooks]

I did not know him but it is always sad to hear of the loss of one of my bother in arms.

[John Cohen]

John was a dear friend and as a classic banjoist was an invaluable compatriot to me and I'm sure many others. I knew he wasn't well but am still shocked by the news of his passing. Honestly I am a little lost for words.

[Alan Jones]

Sincere condolences to all.

[Edward Marshe Parslow]

Did this John Field also play Bluegrass mandolin and occasionally make hammered dulcimers? 

[Jackie Cook]

I do send my condolences to John’s family. 

[TONY BRYAN]

John was a very proficient multi-instrumentalist, and you could have easily seen him in a bluegrass band playing, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or guitar.  You might also have seen him from time to time in the orchestra pit of a theatre playing tenor banjo for a musical such as The Boy Friend.  

He was also an accomplished amateur luthier and violin-maker.  I never saw any hammered dulcimers, but I wouldn’t have put it past him.  He made some lovely mandolins and guitars and a very few highly-prized violins. 

Edward Marshe Parslow said:

Did this John Field also play Bluegrass mandolin and occasionally make hammered dulcimers? 

[Edward Marshe Parslow]

That is sad news indeed. I remember John in the 60's but mostly playing with friend Ted London and banjoist Bill Peck in Henley on Thames in the 80's. When multi-instrumentalist Ted died, John inherited his mandolin and I his 1979 Martin HD28. John made himself one hammer dulcimer and there was one commissioned. I have a tape of the trio, which I played today, with John on mandolin and fiddle, Bill on banjo and Ted, guitar. RIP

[TONY BRYAN]

Yes, that’s the same John Field.  The link is the wunderkind Bill Peck, who was a particular friend who stayed in close touch during his days in America.  I believe Bill is still around somewhere.  Back in the 60’s John was making a name for himself as the banjo player with the Malcolm Price Trio + 1, at a time when you could go a long way to see someone who could actually play bluegrass banjo.  Dave Cousins and the Strawberry Hill Boys were stong competitors.  

[Edward Marshe Parslow]

I booked both Malcolm and Dave at the Olive Tree Folk Club in South Croydon at that time.

[0ke77he9uc0b4]

Hello, I'm John's nephew and would like to thank you all for your kind words about him. Someone's also put a very touching tribute to him on YouTube, which is especially kind. I have an Malcolm price lp that John was on and I'm sure there are many other recordings out there of him on banjo or fiddle. If anybody has anything and is willing to share it, I'd be very grateful to receive it at [e-mail]. I was very fond of John and we miss him dearly. However, reading this has been lovely. So, thanks again. Robin

[Edward Marshe Parslow]

I could make you a CD of the tape I mentioned earlier. Couldn't find the you tube tribute; what is the title?

Robin Mukherjee said:

Hello, I'm John's nephew and would like to thank you all for your kind words about him. Someone's also put a very touching tribute to him on YouTube, which is especially kind. I have an Malcolm price lp that John was on and I'm sure there are many other recordings out there of him on banjo or fiddle. If anybody has anything and is willing to share it, I'd be very grateful to receive it at [e-mail]. I was very fond of John and we miss him dearly. However, reading this has been lovely. So, thanks again. Robin

[marc dalmasso]

condoléances ; RIP   John