The Roy Mason Story

                                                                                                            20th November 1928 - 23rd September 2009     82years  

                                   Roy Mason - Clarinet , saxs and vocals  Blue Moon recorded live at the Clarendon Hotel,Deal, Kent on the 2nd
                                                                                                                           March 2006, this is a great venue for traditional jazz every Thursday
                                                                                                                           8.30pm - 11.00pm adm free

Roy is perhaps better known as the leader of one of Kent's most popular dance bands which he led for over 45 years. His musical career started at the age of 12 playing mouth organ in local concerts and shows. At 17 he bought a clarinet and was teaching himself to play when he was " called up " for National Service. In the army he was fortunate to get into the military band of the King's Own Royal Regiment - two years later and fairly proficient on sax and clarinet he was demobbed. On his return to 'civvy street' the band he joined entered the Melody Maker Dance Band Championships and won second place, with Roy winning the best clarinet player award. Shortly after, he formed his own band which for years was a favourite with dancers, as well as this he formed his own jazz quintet Gentle Jazz, which he still runs. Roy enjoyed years of playing for every type of function but with the declining popularity in ballroom dancing the band broke up and he returned to his love of jazz, joining  the Invicta Jazz Band and freelancing. More recently he received a 'divine' call from Burt to become a Jazz Pilgrim, here he became reunited with his old mate John Finch, who for many years was in Roy's dance band.

                              Sadly Roy passed away on the 23rd September 2009 after he had complications with a Gallstone operation

         Roy, a fine musician and a great front-man, he could figure the punters out and know exactly their taste in music
       in a matter of minutes - as Mike Porter-Ward mentioned to me once, they were playing at an old people's home
       and  Roy sang all the oldies for over an hour without stopping - which takes some doing I might add. He was a great
       encouragement  to every musician - if one tried something for the first time he would look over and give his nod and
      a wink look of approval. No more ado, here is Roy's hall of fame from start to finish with videos of him playing etc, etc
                                                                                                                                                                    Burtie Butler

                                                            
                                Young Roy with Grandma & Grandad                           Roy with his mum                                  Roy in his early years

                                                         
                                                        Roy in the 'Lancashire Regiment the IV Kingsdown' Army Band  (middle row 3rd from left)

                                                 
                                                 Roy and his wife Doreen                                                family photo with wife Doreen, son Bob and grand-daughter Kelly

                                                                                        Roy's early bands and gigs

                                              
                                                                Roy's first paid gig - princely sum of 3s 6d (18p) at Preston School Room 1944
                                                                    L/R:  Les Godden gtr,  John Pope drms,  Roy  and  John Arnold piano 

                    
                  Jazz Club days at Delbrige House, Faversham, Kent. in the 50's                        Roy's band playing in Preston Street, Faversham raising money
                  Brian White bnj, others unknown                                                                                  for the towns swimming pool in the late 50's

                                 
                  Roy playing the Coronation Ball in the Faversham Institute June 1953
                                musicians in both photos: Fred Page bass, Ted Pearce drms, Al Milstead violin, John Arnold piano and yours truly Roy reeds

                                      
                             Norman 'Buster' Rodger bass  unknown drms and piano and Roy                                                  The Heydays

                          
                          John Arnold piano, Terry Weston gtr, Dave Higgins drms                   Ray Spice piano, Johnny Whale drms, Norman 'Buster' Rodger bass
                                Norman 'Buster' Rodger bass and Roy on vibes                                                            and yours truly Roy reeds

                                                   
                                   Pete Gresham piano, 'Buster' Rodger bass              Roy with 'The String and Bone' Barney Smith gtr, Nobby Willet bnj
                                              Mick Howell and Roy                                                             and John Finch trombone

                                                                           
                                                                 Whitstable late 80's Roy, Roger Link sousa, Dave Bashford bnj and Dave Link crnet

                                                                                      
                           
                                 Roy in the 'Faversham Gazette and Times'  24th February 1977 as  Faversham's 'Mr. Music'
                                                                            

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                                                      extract from 'Faversham Gazette and Times'    24th February 1977

                                        Here is Roy playing and singing in different venues in his 80's what a trooper

                                                                        
                                         You're Driving me Crazy'                                                                           Bring Me Sunshine
                                                                
                                                           Video of Roy at the Duke of Cumberland, Whitstable  22nd July 2007                     
                                                                with the Jazz Pilgrims - Tom Brady tpt, John Finch tmb                      
                                                                   Roger Link bass, John Cottis drms and Burtie Butler bnj
                               

                                                                        
                        At the Challock Goose Fayre 9th Sept 2007 'My Blue Heaven'                       Roy singing at Henry Bullock's 100th birthrday
                                                                                                                                      - Henry the Eighth I Am - 19th July 2009

                      Roy's Funeral was held on the 6th October 2009  at  the   The Parish Church of St Mary of Charity - Faversham 

                       Roy had a great send off - here are videos of the lads playing some of Roy's favourite tunes before the service of thanksgiving
                       so click on to picture / title   - videos taken by Cloe Maple

                       Band members:
                       Tom Brady tpt, Pete Rose clt, John Finch tmb, Ray Perkins piano, Burtie Butler bnj, Mike Porter-Ward bass and Derek Hawkes drms

                                                                                                    and vocals Lyn Falvey

                                             
                                     You'll Never Know                                           Sweet Georgia Brown                                      Stranger on the Shore

                                             
                                    My Mother's Eyes                                         Closer Walk With Thee                                      Over In The Gloryland

                                                                                   
                                                                                                 When The Saints Go Marching in

                                               And afterwards the wake was held at 'The Castle Inn'  Oare, Faversham, Kent. -

                                                   
                                                    Saxophone Wreath                   Pete Rose clt, Derek Hawkes drms, Lyn Falvey vcl, Mike Porter-Ward bass
                                                                                                                                and Tony Richards tpt

                                     
                         John Finch tmb, Laurie Palmer drs, Mike Porter-Ward bass               Derek Hawkes drms, Pete Rose clt, Mike Porter-Ward bass               
                                               and George Reid tenor sax                                       Lyn Falvey vocal, Ray Perkins piano and Tony Richards tpt
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              video  playing   'Ida Sweet As Apple Cider'  click picture /title

                                     Roy had a great send off from all his friends, family and musos - he would have loved it

                                                                                                                                                                                    Burtie Butler

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