Jack MacGarvey - The All Irish Banjo Champion!

[thereallyniceman]

Ray Jones has sent me an email regarding Jack MacGarvey. 

Ray is still in contact with Kathleen MacGarvey, Jack’s daughter.

 

Now in her 80s, and recovering from a recent bad fall in which we wish a speedy recovery, she has sent Ray a copy of an original arrangement for banjo done by her father and he thought that we may like to see.

Following the recent Irish theme started by Steve and his “McAlheeneys cakewalk”, the piece is entitled “Hartigan’s fancy and Mac’s Mixture”.

 

I also have a copy of another Irish solo arranged by Jack, “Irish Hornpipe Medley” and I have added both of these to the MUSIC LIBRARY.

 

Jack MacGarvey (1894-1978) was born in Dublin, although he lived in Ballymena, Co Antrim for most of his life. He was a well-respected banjo performer and teacher and he travelled to London in 1929 to record 4 sides for Decca records. I know two of the tracks were Tilley’s “Queen of the Burlesque” and Grimshaw’s “Tired Tim” but not the other tracks…  anyone help?

 

Here is Jack’s Decca recording of:

QUEEN OF THE BURLESQUE played by Jack MacGarvey

[Trapdoor2]

Wow. Jack's technique is excellent...but it sounds like they recorded him in a shipping container.

The history of the 5-string banjo in Ireland (that is, playing trad. Irish music back in the day) is all but forgotten. The tenor banjo just about wiped it out, with the exception of a rare few extant players. Here in the States, if I brought a 5-string to an Irish session, I'd be laughed out of the place (and not just for my playing).

[Jody Stecher]

Note that Ian said that McGarvey travelled to London to record some discs, not that the recording session took place in London. Clearly what happened is that he sent himself in a shipping container and the recordings were made en route.

Does anyone know (or can anyone guess) who made his banjo in the photo?

Trapdoor2 said:

Wow. Jack's technique is excellent...but it sounds like they recorded him in a shipping container.

[Trapdoor2]

It does sound like there is a lorry grinding along in the background. I presume he couldn't afford rail service!

[Rob Murch]

 Jacks banjo looks like a Cammeyer New Era De Luxe.

Cheers Rob

[Jody Stecher]

Thanks Rob. have you ever played or heard one of these? I've seen some pictures of a high end Cammeyer non-zither banjo in the big Tsamura book and wondered if they sound as nice as they look.

[Rob Murch]

Yes, I played one once. It was a great banjo, it felt nice under the hands. It had a nice wide neck up by the nut just nice for note snapping with no worries of your fingers falling off the side! Just a nicely made banjo.

[David Wade]

That is indeed a Camm New Era, I've never thought that picture did Jack any favours  - there is a much nicer one on an old front cover of BMG magazine. Interestingly for the second time in a week I'm at odds with Ian. I have DOB as 1886 not 1894 DOD confirmed as 13/12/78.  I have to recording session as 4th Feb. 1931 at the Decca studios with "unknown pianist".

Four sides were recorded as Ian mentions - the additional ones being Londonderry Air and Believe Me, All those endearing young charms (I have copies of these somewhere).

He broadcasted regularly from Dublin up til 1945, his daughter's Mary and Kathleen joined him and they performed as the Banjo Macs.

I met Kathleen in the '90s at a Ridgeway Rally, a lovely person who was very kind to me when I'd finished playing ....

The New Era was offered for sale sometime ago - Richard may be able to shed some light on it's fate.

I'm teaching in Baildon tonight so may get chance to speak to Keith W. 

I think Mary passed away sometime ago.

[thereallyniceman]

Thanks David. The DOB information came along with my source of the music, so thank you for correcting it as I bow to your greater knowledge!

Here is the front BMG cover photo, April 1969, that David mentions. I must admit it does him more favours. The original one I posted looks as though he is wearing someone else's teeth ;-)

[Jody Stecher]

and two dots for eyes.

thereallyniceman said:

 I must admit it does him more favours. The original one I posted looks as though he is wearing someone else's teeth ;-)

[Richard William Ineson]

I think that Pat Doyle bought all of the MacGarvey banjos and assorted ephemera. The most interesting instrument, in my opinion, was a Cammeyer 'Mignon' zither banjo, which are rather rare, but at the time I was pretty well banjoed up and didn't need any more instruments. I did get some old playbills featuring Jack's name, (he used to play the 'Dame' in Christmas pantomimes), and some of his books, which I still have. 

David Wade said:

That is indeed a Camm New Era, I've never thought that picture did Jack any favours  - there is a much nicer one on an old front cover of BMG magazine. Interestingly for the second time in a week I'm at odds with Ian. I have DOB as 1886 not 1894 DOD confirmed as 13/12/78.  I have to recording session as 4th Feb. 1931 at the Decca studios with "unknown pianist".

Four sides were recorded as Ian mentions - the additional ones being Londonderry Air and Believe Me, All those endearing young charms (I have copies of these somewhere).

He broadcasted regularly from Dublin up til 1945, his daughter's Mary and Kathleen joined him and they performed as the Banjo Macs.

I met Kathleen in the '90s at a Ridgeway Rally, a lovely person who was very kind to me when I'd finished playing ....

The New Era was offered for sale sometime ago - Richard may be able to shed some light on it's fate.

I'm teaching in Baildon tonight so may get chance to speak to Keith W. 

I think Mary passed away sometime ago.