Stories Of London

Jackie seated at the Theatre Organ of the Ritz Cinema Richmond

Jackie playing Moonglow

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Andrew Gilbert playing his arrangement of Sentimental Journey

This piece will be a track on Mr. Gilbert’s forthcoming album, Roland Romantica 

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In 2019, two of Jackie’s grandchildren, Ms Alex Channon and Ms Kirby Sainsbury, both daughters of Mrs. Julie Channon (nee Brown), were in England. Alex was traveling with her Church Choir who were on a singing-tour while Kirby was involved in a research project in Clinical Physiology at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Their mother contacted Mr. Andrew Gilbert to see if he was willing to accompany and show her daughters some of the venues where their grandfather had performed.

Alex remembers: Kirby and I met with Andy Gilbert to go and look at some of our grandfather’s Theatre Organs that he used to play.  We visited the erstwhile Granada Theatre Tooting (now Buzz Bingo) and the former Troxy Cinema Stepney and saw the Wurlitzer Theatre Organs housed there.

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It was incredible to watch the Console of the Tooting Wurlitzer come up from under the floor. It truly brought a tear to my eye just imagining Jackie playing such an incredible instrument and having people come from all places to hear him play.

Kirby (right) & me seated at the Console of the Tooting Wurlitzer

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We were fortunate enough to be treated to a special private concert from Andy at the Troxy, as he played arrangements and original compositions by Jackie, and even pulled out a piece of music that had never been performed in public before, Rhapsody In Brown that he and our mum composed when they were in Jackie’s shop one day (good on ya mum!).

Andrew at the Console of the former Trochodero Elephant & Castle Wurlitzer Theatre Organ now installed at the Troxy Stepney

Andrew Gilbert playing Rhapsody in Brown

We were told lots of fond stories from when Jackie was alive including some that we hadn’t heard before. We learned that our grandfather had recorded Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in July and that he said he was on fire after recording his album, The Flying Scotsman Goes On Tour!

Jackie playing Flying Scotsman from his album, The Flying Scotsman Goes on Tour

Kirby (left) & me seated at the Console of the Troxy Wurlitzer

However, the highlights of the day were having the opportunity to play the Troxy Wurlitzer (even though it was Bach and not theatre music by any means!) and later to go inside the walls of the Troxy and explore all the ranks and pipes where they resided.

(From left to right) Kirby, Andrew & me seated at the the Console of the Troxy Wurlitzer

A massive thank you to Andy and his connections for allowing us to have such an incredible day where we felt like we had walked in the footsteps of Jackie Brown.

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I have to confess that prior to writing this biography of Mr. Jackie Brown, all I knew of him was that he had performed at the Farewell Concert given at the Empire Theatre Leicester Square and this only came about while I was writing the biography of Mr. Len Rawle. Jackie was one of two artists chosen to play the famous Wurlitzer Theatre Organ of this theatre, known affectionately as The Empress, at this concert. The other artist being Mr. George Blackmore (1921-1994).

I remember thinking to myself, if this man was chosen amongst the many for this honour, how was it that I had never come across his name when I was writing my series on The Theatre Organ and The Granada Theatre Circuit? Of course, dear reader, this is not to imply that I am, or ever will be, an expert or maven on these subjects ……… just an observer with a keen questioning interest.

While writing about Mr. John Howlett, the celebrated, but almost forgotten, former organist of the Odeon Theatre Leicester Square, I realised how talented and how sad it was to think that he is hardly ever mention in articles. I wondered if Jackie Brown was another such figure.

Well, after writing this biography, there is little doubt that Jackie was a giant among organists!  What I find amazing about him is that he had little formal training in music theory, but appeared to have a natural ability to play any instrument that he chose to pick up. I have always admired this ability. My own father was able to play the piano by ear and I was always amazed as a child to watch him be able to sit down at the piano and within a minute or two, find the notes to play a request or a choice of his own. No matter how much I tried, this art/gift did not prove to be hereditary!

However, Jackie was not just a theatre organist, as a quick glance at his life story will reveal. As with all successful people, he was a victim of his own ambition and drive, and as a result, moved effortlessly into other areas of entertainment. His talents took him into composing and arranging, which was expressed in recordings, film, radio and television. He was a vital member of The Billy Cotton Band Show in its various forms and part of a million-selling recording and also won a prestigious award for another.

Jackie was also a family man, and although he did not have a traditional relationship with his family, he was always there for them at important times, as his daughters will a test to. He also proved himself to be an excellent mentor and teacher to a number of students of the organ.

Although Jackie was not just a theatre organist, he still evidently enjoyed playing even while fulfilling other commitments. Members of the Organ Societies all have memories of Jackie racing from BBC Broadcasting House on Sundays afternoons immediately after The Billy Cotton Show concluded in order to play long sessions at a venue organised by the Society.

Jackie’s playing style was unique, and as the lady in the audience noted, he could make the organ sing! It is tribute to him that a number of organists often play pieces that employ his arrangements or else offer their own in his style.

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Unfortunately Jackie passed too early and is still missed by his family and friends. I am sure that he would be proud of the achievements of his daughters and of his grandchildren.

I hope that readers will find this biography of interest and perhaps have learned something previously unknown to them about Jackie.

And now in conclusion, I think that it is appropriate that Jackie should have the final word ………..

Jackie playing The Song is You and signing off for the last time