Ealing's veteran jazz pianist, Jack Honeyborne, will soon be taking to the big screen.

The 83 year old was chosen by Dustin Hoffman to appear in his latest film ‘Quartet’.

The film marks Dustin Hoffman’s debut as a Director in this light-hearted comedy featuring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly as retired Opera singers who annually put on a concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday.

However, the concert is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, (Maggie Smith) an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.

Jack Honeyborne is considered something of a legend on the UK jazz scene simply because of his long and varied career starting with the early post war modernist jazz group Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists, then going on to play during the 50’s and 60’s with most of the famous big bands of the period, such as, Ken Mackintosh, Nat Gonella, Joe Loss and the Squadronaires.

With the emergence of rock and roll and the decline of the touring bands Jack became a regular pianist on television and radio as well as working as a session musician playing on numerous well-known records and accompanying stars of the day, like Alma Cogan, Johnny Ray, Ruby Murray, Anne Shelton, Harry Secombe and many more.

In the late 60’s Jack lived and worked in Canada for a while during which time he toured with Sammy Davis Jnr before returning to London to continue with more work on television and UK tours with visiting American stars, including Peggy Lee, Dick Haymes and Eartha Kitt.

For over 19 years Jack was Vera Lynn’s Musical Director and pianist and as such travelled the world extensively, playing in all the major concert halls and on numerous cruises.

After 60 years as a professional musician Jack still plays regularly in London jazz venues and makes guest appearances at UK jazz festivals.

Jack, who lives in W13, regularly plays at the Ealing Jazz Festival and once a month at the Rose and Crown, Church Place with the Eric Gilchrist Jazz Quintet.

Dustin Hoffman was so impressed with Jack that he built his part up in the film and featured him in more scenes than originally intended. Dustin even joined Jack at the piano on 4 handed swing numbers during breaks in filming.

Filmed at Hedsor House Buckinghamshire in Autumn last year the film is premiered at the Odeon, Leicester Square Monday 15th October,

 

Meanwhile whilst Jack mixes with the celebs Ken McCarthy takes over tinckling the ivories:

Once again the
Eric Gilchrist Jazz Quintet
will be swinging and singing
at the Rose and Crown, Ealing
****Monday 15th October, 2012****

 

11th October 2012