Coleridge Goode facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Coleridge Goode
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Coleridge George Emerson Goode |
| Born | 29 November 1914 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 2 October 2015 (aged 100) London, England |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Double bassist |
| Instruments | Double bass |
| Associated acts | Joe Harriott, Michael Garrick |
George Coleridge Emerson Goode (born November 29, 1914 – died October 2, 2015) was a famous jazz bassist from Jamaica and Britain. He was best known for working with the alto saxophonist Joe Harriott for a long time. Goode was a key member of Harriott's special jazz group, called a quintet, from 1958 to 1965.
He also helped Harriott create a new type of music. This music mixed jazz with Indian music. Their group was called Indo-Jazz Fusions. Harriott led this group with composer and violinist John Mayer.
Contents
About Coleridge Goode
Early Life and His Musical Start
Coleridge Goode was born in Kingston, Jamaica. His father was a choirmaster, which means he led a choir. He was also an organist, playing the organ for music. His father loved and promoted classical choir music in Jamaica. Goode's mother also sang in the choir.
Goode once said that his name came from a famous composer. His father put on a show of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Hiawatha's Wedding Feast to honor him. Goode was born one year after that special event.
In 1934, when he was 19, Goode moved to Britain. He studied at the Royal Technical College in Glasgow. This college later became the University of Strathclyde. After that, he went to Glasgow University to study engineering.
He was already good at playing the violin for fun, playing classical music. But then he heard jazz music. He loved the sounds of stars like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Jordan. This music made him want to play jazz. So, he started learning the double bass. He decided not to go back to Jamaica to be an engineer. Instead, he chose to become a musician.
His Amazing Career
Some of the first bass players who inspired Goode were Walter Page, Slam Stewart, and Jimmy Blanton. In 1942, Goode moved to London. He then worked with many great musicians. These included Johnny Claes, Eric Winstone, Lauderic Caton, and Dick Katz.
He also helped start the Ray Ellington Quartet. In 1946, he recorded music with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Later, Goode played in Tito Burns' group. He even led his own band for a while.
In 1958, he was asked to join Joe Harriott's new band. In 1967, he recorded with other musicians like Chris McGregor and Dudu Pukwana. During the 1960s and 1970s, Goode worked a lot with pianist and composer Michael Garrick. Even when he was in his 90s, Goode was still playing music. He performed in the house band at Laurie Morgan's Sunday jam sessions in Crouch End.
Coleridge Goode was one of the best jazz bassists in Europe. He is an important link to the rich history of Caribbean musicians in jazz. His long and successful career has inspired many black British jazz musicians today. In 2002, he wrote his autobiography called Bass Lines: A Life in Jazz. He wrote it with his friend, Roger Cotterrell. The book told his own story. It also shared touching memories of Joe Harriott and how free form jazz started in Britain.
Awards and Legacy
On May 18, 2011, Coleridge Goode received a special honor. He won the Services to Jazz Award. This award was given at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in the House of Commons.
In 2014, Goode turned 100 years old. To celebrate, a special concert was held for him at the London Jazz Festival. It was led by Gary Crosby. Goode passed away the next year, on October 2, 2015.
Family Life
In 1944, Goode married Gertrude Selmeczi. She was a Jewish refugee from Vienna, Austria, with Hungarian family. Their marriage lasted for 70 years. Gertrude passed away in June 2015, at age 96. They had two children, a daughter named Sandy and a son named James.
Discography
Coleridge Goode recorded many albums throughout his career.
He recorded several albums with Michael Garrick, including Promises and The Heart Is a Lotus.
He also worked extensively with Joe Harriott, contributing to albums like Southern Horizons, Free Form, and the Indo Jazz Fusions series.
Goode also recorded with other notable artists such as Ray Ellington, Jade Warrior, Shake Keane, John Mayer, and the legendary Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.
