Stephen Chambers Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 so its something I'm likely to discover on my next photocopying trip. Wes, I just found my folder of ICA Newsletters, and there it was. Look out for Newsletter No.211, September 1973, page 2 (of 2, there wasn't much to the Newsletter in those days, no wonder they published it !) : How I accidentally joined the I.C.A. At nearly midday one Sunday I walked across Chelsea Bridge with a concertina box in each hand. A large alsation bore down on me, followed by a man whose triumphant cry of "concertinas ?" was the beginning of a new friendship. I had just met Jim Harvey. I was invited to an I.C.A. meeting the following week, to Jim's house (where I was played many fine tapes, particularly of Maurice's playing), and taken to Alf Edwards' home, where I heard the masterly Kensington Group practise the piece I was to hear them play to win their class in the Festival they had been practising for. My stay in London proved most rewarding - but quite by chance. My thanks to all the I.C.A. members I met for their friendliness, help and encouragement, especially Jim Harvey and Arthur Austin of Heywood (near Manchester - where I am to be found in term-time) who is giving me lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeolina Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 Does anyone have any information on Alf Edwards' (supposed) Scottish background? Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes williams Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 Stuart: Alf Edwards died 24th March, 1985 at St Bernard's Nursing Home, Worthing. The ICA newsletter for July 1985 carried this (extract): Frank Butler writes...... Not many of the present ICA generation will have met Alf Edwards. His likeness on the cover of his Tutor for the English Concertina is a good one of him in about 1955. I have only hearsay to guide me when I say that he came from circus forebears and that both he and his wife, Jeannie, were of Scottish descent. He never spoke of his musical training but his ability as a performer was backed by sound musicianship. Although with a world-wide reputation as a Concertina player - most deservedly so - writing music and playing the trombone probably provided the backbone of his living. Around the New Year he was much in demand in London hotels to play bagpipes, a distinguished figure in the kilt..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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