Cancer Claims Danny Moss and Campbell Burnap

by Clarrie Henley

Death continues to stalk the British jazz scene and, following hard on the passing of Humphrey Lyttelton and Allan Ganley, another two popular figures have died within the space of 24 hours.

Tenor sax star Danny Moss died at his home in Perth, Western Australia, on May 29th after a long battle with cancer, while trombonist and broadcaster Campbell Burnap succumbed to pancreatic and liver cancer in a London hospital during the early hours of the same date.

Burnap and his wife, Jenny, cut short a visit to Australia because he was suffering from stomach problems and it is possible that the cancer was concealed because he was also suffering from a diabetic condition. Once home, the real cause was revealed, and death was swift to follow.

Both men had strong Australian connections, and each had great affection for the country. Dennis "Danny" Moss was born in Sussex August 16, 1927, and emigrated to Australia in 1989. Campbell Crichton Mackinnon Burnap, born in Derby September 10, 1939, moved to New Zealand at the age of 19 and then to Australia where he played his first gigs before returning to Britain via New Orleans in the mid-1960s. Both men were scheduled to play at Bob Barnard's 2008 Australian Jazz Party, but only Moss was well enough to make the date.

Burnap first started to gain recognition through his work with the bands of Terry Lightfoot, Monty Sunshine and Alan Elsdon before joining Five-A-Slide and Acker Bilk with whom he enjoyed a long tenure. Gifted with good looks, genuine charm and a pleasant voice, he was a natural entertainer and was often seen in small acting roles on television shows before he was given his own three-hour slot on Jazz FM Radio. The station ran many programs that were really only on the fringe of jazz, and Burnap's honest and educated contribution earned him great respect from lovers of real jazz. He also created a series of biographies for BBC Radio 2 which included Louis Armstrong, Eddie Lang, Harry James, Bix Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden among the subjects. Big Tea was a great influence on Burnap's trombone style, and he also sang well with a relaxed delivery similar to that of his hero. He was equally capable of fitting into mainstream combinations or playing in dixieland and earlier styles.

He was probably one of the most traveled men in jazz, for he flew to Australia at every opportunity, commuted to Zurich over four years for a bar engagement and appeared regularly at the Kaamos Jazz Festival in Finland where he had gained a very respectable following. One of the most-loved figures on the British scene, his early death came as a shock to many fans who were unaware that he was ailing. He is survived by his wife, Jenny.

Conversely, it was widely known that Danny Moss was suffering from mesothelioma cancer, and recording engineer Dave Bennett organized several benefit concerts to help pay for the alternative treatment that was being undertaken. In the past two and a half years, Moss completed two extensive European concert tours also featuring his wife, singer Jeanie Lambe, and his bassist son, Danny Jr. He recorded extensively during this period and can be heard on albums with such diverse players as John Dankworth and Acker Bilk. Another album featuring mainstream players is in preparation and an early release date is anticipated.

Self-taught Danny Moss first hit the scene in the Forties when he worked with the big bands of Tommy Sampson, Ted Heath, and later, Geraldo and Johnny Dankworth. He then graced several small bands, working with Humphrey Lyttelton, Alex Welsh, Freddy Randall and Dave Shepherd and his soft-toned, middle-of-the-road style earned many admirers. He followed in the footsteps of Bobby Hackett and Ruby Braff by working as featured soloist with singer Tony Bennett, and he also played in Bobby Rosengarden's New York band. He was at home in any musical situation and was always unmistakeably Danny Moss, even though his style was clearly influenced by Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins. He was a recording and touring companion of many of the greats including Louis Armstrong, Buddy Rich, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney and Sarah Vaughan. In 1990 he was made a Member of the British Empire by H.M. Queen Elizabeth for his services to music.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie, and two sons, Danny Jr. and Robb.

June 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

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