Peter Reginald MacBryan

Quite by chance, I happened on this announcement. Many years ago, back in the 50s, Peter and I were very good friends, when he lived in the Vicarage in Wolvercote. It’s a very long time ago.

Together, with others, we started the "Counterpoint Jazz Club", it was way ahead of its time and many of those who supported us might just have come because they loved jiving, then all the rage. It didn’t matter one bit. The crowd on Sunday evenings always could be sure of a prominent Jazzman down for the gig from London, I can't remember now whether or not we had any lady players, I must check with a friend.

Ronnie Scott could always be relied upon to pitch if the right offer was made, I did hear he went on to other triumphs lol. He and so many others gave everyone a marvellous evening in the Ox Uni Gym, just opposite the Bear (ties). They were super evenings. We also ran the first Riverboat Shuffle from Folly Bridge to Abingdon and back, on a Sunday afternoon. It was a sell-out, maybe the fact that bars were permitted had something to do with it ? I will never forget playing in the 15-piece Afro-Cuban rhythm section (on claves). Kenny Graham wrote several arrangement for it, for people he’d never met. It was a ball. Brilliant idea Pete.

Peter was always an absolute dynamo, he wouldn't let his handicap influence how he lived, he had courage in massive quantities. he often showed me his latest bruises, which were awful. He was in and out of hospital frequently.

I remember he became very good friends with Gerry Mulligan, as well as many other top Jazz names, they couldn’t get over his ebullient spirit. If you knew Pete well, you could never forget him.

His arrival at our wedding reception was memorable, No, make that unforgettable  - he arrived hopelessly late, apologising volubly in a "non-standard" manner. He may have interrupted his journey for some refreshment. What a laugh !

After I took the Queens' shilling and subsequently, after we went to South

2nd part-
to South Africa, our paths, inevitably, diverged, with only rare meetings near his flat, my parents lived very close by. My Dear wife never met him again, they were good friends too.

You were a great character, Pete Mate and a deeply valued friend, I mourn your loss Good Friend. I expect you are in a better place now, free of the wretched things which could have made your life almost unliveable, except that you overcame them with panache, with style and always a smashing smile/grin/laugh or hilarity. Sure, you could be serious, but you had a superb sense of humour.

You were a unique, magnificent inspiration to all whom you met. God bless you.

Ernie