Gay McIntyre - a Derry Legend

Clarinettist and saxophonist Gay McIntyre, who this year celebrates his 75th birthday, has assumed legendary status in his home town of Londonderry in Northern Ireland but the high calibre of his performing and teaching is known only to a chosen few beyond the famous walls of the city. In recent years McIntyre has restricted the geographic spread of his activity mainly to Ireland, intensifying his reputation in his home country whilst denying the wider jazz fraternity the opportunity to appreciate his talent. In this paper I raise awareness of this remarkable musician, outlining his colourful career to date, highlighting key musical relationships and focusing on the diverse musical influences, including those of operatic tenors and Irish traditional music, which have shaped the intense, lyrical sound and melodic invention which have become the McIntyre trademark.