In The News

Musician and critic Solly Lipsitz passes away

Musician and critic Solly Lipsitz passes away

TRIBUTES have been paid to the musician and critic Solly Lipsitz who has passed away aged 92.

Mr. Lipsitz is credited with bringing jazz to Northern Ireland and with helping a number of young musicians launch their careers.

A former lecturer at the Belfast College of Art and Design, Mr. Lipsitz developed his great love of jazz in the 1940s. He was inspired to learn the trumpet and went on to play in a number of bands.

At one point he opened a record shop in Belfast and was a key figure in bringing in jazz and blues records from the United States.

Perhaps his biggest contribution to helping introduce jazz to the Northern Ireland public was his decision to open The Jazz Club in Belfast. The club provided a venue for many up-and-coming young musicians to develop their early careers.

For many years, Mr. Lipsitz was music critic for the Belfast Telegraph — a role in which he was never afraid to express his opinion. But the fact that he was also a musician earned him the respect of many of those who found themselves coming under the gaze of his critic’s eye.

Away from music, his interests included book collecting and art.

Mr. Lipsitz was buried on Wednesday, April 3, following a Service at the Belfast Jewish Cemetery, Carnmoney. For full details, Click here.

Photograph of Mr. Lipsitz, credit: Jackeeadio.

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