Hidden London

Ken Colyer's Jazzmen

Eel Pie Island, in the River Thames about 10 miles from London, has an amazing history. From Victorian tourist resort to gigs by the Rolling Stones, from Charles Dickens to police raids, from fire to flood. Boatyards, jazz concerts, British Blues gigs, artisan studios, commune, rowing and yacht clubs.

The period of the island’s greatest fame saw concerts by jazz greats Ken Colyer, Acker Bilk, Cy Laurie and Kenny Ball, by blues performers the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Rod Steward, Long John Baldry, John Mayall and Julie Driscoll, and later by rock band Hawkwind.

This film examines the history of the island through the eyes of the people who were there.  The music featured in the film is by Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen and was recorded live on the island in 1957.

Customer Comments:
‘A rare find’ Andy M.
‘Absolutely enchanting…I didn’t know much about the Island beyond the 60s R&B history and was sensitively educated by it’ – Andy King

Copies of this film are available on DVD, payments made through PayPal.   Price is £6.99 + postage and packing £2.00.  Please note the DVDs are PAL format, so if you are not in the UK, please check your player will play the DVD.  The DVDs should play on all computers.

They are also available from Par Ici in Twickenham and from the Twickenham Museum.

Total Running Time 30 mins
Producer/Director Anne O’Connell, Camera Roland Denning, Researcher Jeanette James, Music Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen, Peter John Ross, Taylor Hayward

Michele Whitby and Dan van der Vat, who appear in the film have also written a book about the island. ‘Eel Pie Island’ is published by Frances Lincoln

See post on launch of Eel Pie Island book and film here.