William Landale "The Lion" McIntyre (24 May 1919 – 11 September 1987) was an Australian jazz pianist.[1][2]
Willie "The Lion" McIntyre | |
|---|---|
 Willie McIntyre playing piano on a riverboat cruise c1946-49. Image via Australian Jazz Museum | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Landale McIntyre |
| Also known as | The Lion |
| Born | 24 May 1919 Benalla, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 1 September 1987 (aged 68) Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | jazz |
| Instrument(s) | piano |
Career edit
Born in Benalla, Victoria, William Landale McIntyre moved to Melbourne in 1937 and formed a dance trio with saxophonist Laurie Cowan, drummer Wes Brown, and himself on piano.[1] After playing in several small groups, McIntyre became established in Melbourne's traditional jazz scene.[3]
After serving in World War II, McIntyre returned to Australia and helped organise the first Australian Jazz Convention in 1946, and co-founded the Portsea Trio with Bill Miller on washboard and George Tack on clarinet in 1947.[1]
During his work in the 1950s, McIntyre inspired others to take up the piano, such as Phil Sandford, who would later write a biography on McIntyre. Fellow pianist Dick Hughes also listed McIntyre as an influence, and pianist Ted Nettelbeck said hearing McIntyre's band play started his own interest in jazz too.[4]
McIntyre is thought to have given himself the nickname "The Lion", after American jazz pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith.[4] He used the name as early as the 1940s,[5] and into the 1950s.[6][7][8]
Outside of music, McIntyre worked for Victorian Public Service during his teens, and later for a company manufacturing waterproofing products.[3] He retired from jazz in the 1960s,[1] but occasionally performed into the 1970s.[9][10]
On 11 September 1987, William Landale McIntyre died aged 68.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Haesler, Bill (2015). "The Pioneers". Jazz In Australia. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ a b "McIntyre, William Landale". The Age. 14 September 1987. p. 21.
- ^ a b Myers, Eric (3 November 2018). "Jazz pianist's blues cues". The Australian.
- ^ a b Nettelbeck, Ted (29 September 2018). "Review: THE LION ROARS: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF WILLIE 'THE LION' McINTYRE" (PDF). Eric Myers. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "VISITING WIZARD OF JAZZ". Australian Women's Weekly. 3 September 1949. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "CENTENNIAL HALL FOR JAZZ SHOWS?". News. 31 May 1951. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Local Band on AR". Age. 14 February 1952. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Jazz Concert". Argus. 28 April 1956. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Pre-view the eclipse. Jazz. Victorian Jazz Club". The Age. 24 September 1976. p. 16.
- ^ "Musos will give 1977 a rousing sound-off". The Age, Weekender. 16 December 1977. p. 9.