Judd Proctor
Judd Proctor
Known professionally as Judd Proctor because of a misspelling on a Parlophone single release, guitarist Judd Procter (2.1.1930 - 21.8.2020) was highly regarded for technical ability and speed (‘the fastest left-hand in the business’.[1]) and considered by some to be Britain’s answer to the American guitarist Les Paul. A very versatile jazz and session guitarist and banjoist – and occasional singer – Judd worked with numerous international artists, enjoying a stellar studio and television career over many decades[2]. Judd was also very entertaining company, a wonderful mimic, and easily able to reduce listeners to tears of laughter with his quick wit.
Early Years
Judd was born on 2nd January 1930 in Dunscroft, Hatfield, Doncaster. His father had been a coal miner, then an insurance salesman. As a child, because of his father’s job, Judd lived in several places in South Yorkshire, also attending Mexborough grammar school[3] at the same time as poet Ted Hughes, and Air Vice-Marshal Alan Johnson (honorary surgeon to the Queen), a close friend. Judd originally played plectrum banjo, switching to acoustic guitar aged 14, and appearing with local Doncaster bands including the Zetland Players.[4] Soon after the Second World War, with the latter he won a regional Melody Maker contest which included a certificate and small medal.[5]
RAF National Service
Having left school, Judd worked in clerical role, then did National Service in the RAF from 1949-51 as a staff clerk, based at RAF West Malling in Kent, then a night-fighter station. Judd availed himself of every practice opportunity, also playing with the Les Evans rehearsal band and doing local station gigs for the RAF. He formed a lifelong friendship with jazz guitarist Ike Isaacs [6], with whom he had guitar lessons in London.
Ray Ellington Quartet
After demob, in the early 50s, Judd’s first professional work was with Peter Fielding [7] at the Nottingham Palais dance hall, where he met his future wife, Jean Marshall. He also played summer seasons with various bands before moving to London to join Norman Burns, from February until July 1955[8]. Thereafter, Judd came to increasing prominence through his membership of the Ray Ellington Quartet, remaining for six years[9]. This included numerous radio broadcasts, notably as the programme band for The Goon Show, but also with The Freemen singers, for instance, during Worker’s Playtime on various dates during 1961[10]. Judd used and sponsored the Hofner President guitar during this period.[11]
Session-guitarist
Judd left Ellington – the best years of his life, he later reflected – to focus on London session work during the swinging sixties, often recording at Abbey Road and Decca studios.[12] Judd also signed to Parlophone for several 45 r.p.m.single releases between 1961-64 (Speakeasy, Palamino, Rio Grande, The Turk (reviewed on the BBC's Juke Box Jury)[13], Backfire, Boots), though as a solo artist was eclipsed by the Beatles’ massive success. A label misspelling resulted him in being called Proctor, which he greatly disliked but was unable to alter. Judd, an excellent sight-reader, had ‘nerves of steel’ by his own admission, though ‘high wild fill’ on the session score always led to some slight anxiety[14]. In common with other session players, Judd also recorded under various guises for the Embassy record label during the early 60s.[15]
He was lead guitarist too on some big chart hits: The Springfield’s hit Silver Threads and Golden Needles[16], which reached the US Billboard Top 20 in 1962; and on Cilla Black’s You’re My World (1964), produced by George Martin, which reached No.1 and remained there for four weeks. Judd was to play on further Cilla hits including Step Inside Love (1967), which also led to his photograph appearing with Paul McCartney showing him the song’s chords, in The Beatle’s Monthly magazine.[17]
In 1965 Judd took time out from session-work to tour Japan with Stanley Black, the film-score composer. Lucrative work allowed Judd to buy a detached property in South Hampstead in 1966, a short walk from Abbey Road studio where he worked regularly. Judd’s success noted in February 1967 by Crescendo magazine: ‘[W]e have in Judd today a guitarist who is equal to the best we can get on any level, with a lot of surprises in store as the years pass'[18]
Of numerous examples of Judd’s work: in 1968 he recorded his solo album, Guitars Galore'; he worked with Benny Goodman both on record, and playing various concerts in England; and during the 1970s and 80s he frequently played with Don Lusher’s big band. Judd was also the guitarist for the revived Bert Kaempfert Orchestra. He worked under both jazz and classical conductors, including Nelson Riddle, Robert Farnon, and Henry Mancini. Additionally, Judd played and recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, amongst other major American stars.
Judd's sessions bookings were managed by his wife Jean, an important part of his success as a busy, in-demand musician.
TV and Film Work
Reflecting a diverse ability, Judd had begun TV work early in his career. He made several solo performances on Jazz 625 in 1962 and 1966, and at Ronnie Scott’s in 1969. He played on the film soundtrack for Two Left Feet (1965), and in 1968 wrote the soundtrack for the Thicker Than Water TV series; in 1971 he contributed to the Get Carter film soundtrack. For many years Judd was the guitarist and ‘fixer’ for the BBC’s Ronnie Hazlehurst Orchestra, Ronnie a lifelong friend. This led to countless TV appearances or recordings for major BBC programmes including the Royal Variety Performance, Last of the Summer Wine (since 1972), Only Fools and Horses, the Two Ronnies and Children in Need. Judd also worked for London and Weekend ITV. Judd played acoustic guitar for Spike in An Evening with Spike Milligan (1996), during which he was gently ribbed as the composer of many flops [19][31:40 - 34:43 mins]. Judd’s acting roles included appearances on Upstairs, Downstairs (1974), Hazell (1978), Never the Twain (1982) and As Time Goes By (1992).
Later Career
Changes in the music industry – Judd believed the synthesizer had had a negative impact from the mid-1980s – led to less session-work, though he remained busy during the 1990s, by now in his 60s. Latterly, Judd was the pit guitarist for Carmen Jones at the Old Vic, which he undertook for two years[20]; he formed the Varsity function band with flutist John Whelan, performing for gigs; and at age 71 was a Professor of Guitar at the Army School of Music, Kneller Hall from 2001[21]. Judd occasionally played professionally until his later 70s. Judd died in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, on 21st August 2020.
Personal Life
Judd married Jean Marshall in February 1955. Jean predeceased him by a month. They had no children, but were very close to several nieces and nephews throughout their lives.
References[edit]
- ↑ Boppinbob (2016-01-02). "FROM THE VAULTS: Judd Proctor born 2 January 1932". FROM THE VAULTS. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "UK Jazz Guitar Pioneers". www.jazzeddie.f2s.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ Ely, Steve (2015), Ely, Steve, ed., "Mexborough Grammar School", Ted Hughes’s South Yorkshire: Made in Mexborough, London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 109–146, doi:10.1057/9781137499356_6, ISBN 978-1-137-49935-6, retrieved 2021-06-17
- ↑ Boppinbob (2016-01-02). "FROM THE VAULTS: Judd Proctor born 2 January 1932". FROM THE VAULTS. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Judd Procter". Gypsy Jazz UK. 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Ike Isaacs". Gypsy Jazz UK. 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "bebop spoken here: Peter Fielding and his Band - Oxford Galleries 1936". bebop spoken here. 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Norman Burns..." henrybebop.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "The Goon Show Site - Cast - Ray Ellington". www.thegoonshow.net. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Portsmouth Music Scene". michaelcooper.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Past Hofner Users". www.vintagehofner.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Session Men". Gypsy Jazz UK. 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "136". Juke Box Jury. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ http://www.pipelinemag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/78.jpg. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "UK EMBASSY (Woolworth label) Additions, Corrections & Comments to published Record Information Services record catalogue". www.record-information-services.info. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ "Tom Springfield". www.lerwol.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ S, Sara. "Step Inside Love". Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ Boppinbob (2016-01-02). "FROM THE VAULTS: Judd Proctor born 2 January 1932". FROM THE VAULTS. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ An Evening With Spike Milligan ., retrieved 2021-06-17
- ↑ Carmen Jones [Original London Cast] - Original London Cast | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-06-17
- ↑ "Royal Military School of Music". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
External links[edit]
https://gypsyjazzuk.wordpress.com/36-2/judd-procter/
https://www.last.fm/music/Judd+Proctor/+wiki
https://fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com/2016/01/judd-proctor-born-2-january-1933.htm
https://www.facebook.com/Judd-Procter-Story-His-life-legacy-117666833415004/
http://www.pipelinemag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/78.jpg
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