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Willie "The Lion" McIntyre

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Willie "The Lion" McIntyre
Willie McIntyre playing piano on a riverboat cruise c1946-49. Image via Australian Jazz MuseumWillie McIntyre playing piano on a riverboat cruise c1946-49. Image via Australian Jazz Museum
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Landale McIntyre
Also known asThe Lion
Born(1919-05-24)24 May 1919
Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Died1 September 1987(1987-09-01) (aged 68)
Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia
Genresjazz
Instrumentpiano
Musical artist

William Landale "The Lion" McIntyre (24 May 1919 – 11 September 1987) was an Australian jazz pianist.

Career

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. After playing in several small groups, McIntyre became established in Melbourne's traditional jazz scene.

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.

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.

McIntyre is thought to have given himself the nickname "The Lion", after American jazz pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith. He used the name as early as the 1940s, and into the 1950s.

Outside of music, McIntyre worked for Victorian Public Service during his teens, and later for a company manufacturing waterproofing products. He retired from jazz in the 1960s, but occasionally performed into the 1970s.

On 11 September 1987, William Landale McIntyre died aged 68.

References

  1. ^ Haesler, Bill (2015). "The Pioneers". Jazz In Australia. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ^ "McIntyre, William Landale". The Age. 14 September 1987. p. 21.
  3. ^ Myers, Eric (3 November 2018). "Jazz pianist's blues cues". The Australian.
  4. ^ Nettelbeck, Ted (29 September 2018). "Review: THE LION ROARS: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF WILLIE 'THE LION' McINTYRE" (PDF). Eric Myers. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  5. "VISITING WIZARD OF JAZZ". Australian Women's Weekly. 3 September 1949. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  6. "CENTENNIAL HALL FOR JAZZ SHOWS?". News. 31 May 1951. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  7. "Local Band on AR". Age. 14 February 1952. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  8. "Jazz Concert". Argus. 28 April 1956. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  9. "Pre-view the eclipse. Jazz. Victorian Jazz Club". The Age. 24 September 1976. p. 16.
  10. "Musos will give 1977 a rousing sound-off". The Age, Weekender. 16 December 1977. p. 9.
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