"The (Self-Appointed) President"
Alec Marran has been a life-long fan of June Christy and for
a long time had the nagging feeling that I myself have had,and
I suspect most of her fans have had,that he was all alone in his
love for Christy and her music.
Alec lives in Cape Town.
Around the beginning of 1996 a new local Radio Station had started
up in Cape Town and the early morning presenter played a few Christy
songs.
Alec phoned in his appreciation and nagged for more Christy songs.
Since then Alec has taken every opportunity to keep the Christy name
alive through this Station.
His dedication and persistence caused one of the presenters to
'nickname' him as in the above title.
On the 20th November Alec sent in a dedication to be read on the
anniversary of her birthdate.This was heard by another fan June
Carmel-Hallé who contacted Alec and arranged to meet up to and share
their mutual love for Christy.
So Alec found out that he wasn't alone in his appreciation and love
of June Christy after all.
June Carmel-Hallé was later to find my Christy site through her son
Russell,and so both found more Christy fans with whom they could share
their love of June Christy.
Here is the story in Alec's own words :-
The South African Connection
I was introduced to jazz in general and June Christy in particular when
I was in my early teens,and I've loved this lady's voice ever since.For
forty years in fact.
I actually wrote to her during the mid-sixties and her reply and signed
photograph remain two of my most prized possessions.
As much as other jazz fans I've come across over the years have liked
June's voice,none were as besotted as I,so it's great finding on the
Internet that there are "more of us" out there.
There is a local Radio Station in Cape Town that features quite a bit
of jazz,and one of the presenters has me on his programme periodically
as his guest,referring to me (jokingly) as the "self-appointed President
of the June Christy Appreciation Society",and allowing me to play her
music.
I make a point of being on his show on the 20th November and 21st June
each year to commemorate her birthdate and the anniversary of her death,
and in doing this,keeping her voice and memory alive.
Through this Radio Station I've met other Christy fans,and it's really
great meeting and sharing her music.
Of course all her old Capitol records coming out on CD,and the
releasing of her earlier recordings make me fall in love with that voice
all over again.
I hope that the Record Companies keep bringing out more,so that I and
the rest of the Christy fans can continue to enjoy this,the most beautiful
of voices.
This is June's reply to the letter Alec wrote to her :-
June Christy
September 24 1966
Dear Alec,
I enjoyed your letter so very much.
To my knowledge, the last album released was one
called "Something Broadway, Something Latin".
As pertaining to the cover of the 'Offbeat' album, I
would suggest that you write the Art Department of
Capitol Records,in care of Mr. Bill Miller.
Your suggestions for tunes are beautiful, and some
of them I do in clubs; but I haven't recorded them
as yet.
I sincerely hope that you get some results from the
Capitol Art Department concerning the cover you want
to have.
Again, thanks so much for your lovely letter.
Most sincerely,
Alec lives in Cape Town.
Around the beginning of 1996 a new local Radio Station had started up in Cape Town and the early morning presenter played a few Christy songs.
Alec phoned in his appreciation and nagged for more Christy songs. Since then Alec has taken every opportunity to keep the Christy name alive through this Station.
His dedication and persistence caused one of the presenters to 'nickname' him as in the above title.
On the 20th November Alec sent in a dedication to be read on the anniversary of her birthdate.This was heard by another fan June Carmel-Hallé who contacted Alec and arranged to meet up to and share their mutual love for Christy.
So Alec found out that he wasn't alone in his appreciation and love of June Christy after all.
June Carmel-Hallé was later to find my Christy site through her son Russell,and so both found more Christy fans with whom they could share their love of June Christy.
Here is the story in Alec's own words :-
The South African Connection
I was introduced to jazz in general and June Christy in particular when I was in my early teens,and I've loved this lady's voice ever since.For forty years in fact.
I actually wrote to her during the mid-sixties and her reply and signed photograph remain two of my most prized possessions.
As much as other jazz fans I've come across over the years have liked June's voice,none were as besotted as I,so it's great finding on the Internet that there are "more of us" out there.
There is a local Radio Station in Cape Town that features quite a bit of jazz,and one of the presenters has me on his programme periodically as his guest,referring to me (jokingly) as the "self-appointed President of the June Christy Appreciation Society",and allowing me to play her music.
I make a point of being on his show on the 20th November and 21st June each year to commemorate her birthdate and the anniversary of her death, and in doing this,keeping her voice and memory alive.
Through this Radio Station I've met other Christy fans,and it's really great meeting and sharing her music.
Of course all her old Capitol records coming out on CD,and the releasing of her earlier recordings make me fall in love with that voice all over again.
I hope that the Record Companies keep bringing out more,so that I and the rest of the Christy fans can continue to enjoy this,the most beautiful of voices.
This is June's reply to the letter Alec wrote to her :-
June Christy
September 24 1966
Dear Alec,
I enjoyed your letter so very much.
To my knowledge, the last album released was one
called "Something Broadway, Something Latin".
As pertaining to the cover of the 'Offbeat' album, I
would suggest that you write the Art Department of
Capitol Records,in care of Mr. Bill Miller.
Your suggestions for tunes are beautiful, and some
of them I do in clubs; but I haven't recorded them
as yet.
I sincerely hope that you get some results from the
Capitol Art Department concerning the cover you want
to have.
Again, thanks so much for your lovely letter.
Most sincerely,
BACK TO
The Misty Miss Christy Memories Page
BACK TO
The Misty Miss Christy Home Page
The Misty Miss Christy Home Page