Ealing Jazzman Meets Hollywood's Rainman | |||
Musical legend Jack Honeyborne becomes movie star
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. 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
11th October 2012
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