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Archie Semple was born Archibald Stuart Nisbet Semple on March 31, 1928 in Edinburgh, Scotland and played locally in Edinburgh at the start of his career, often with his trumpeter brother John.

Semple led several of his own bands before joining Mick Mulligan in 1952. He then worked with Freddy Randall in 1953-54, Roy Crimmins and Alex Welsh from 1955 to 1963, becoming one of Welsh’s most important sidemen.

He recorded as a leader in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well, but retired due to an encroaching drinking problem that led to health issues in the middle of the decade.

A very distinctive player with a rich and quirky musical imagination, Semple was one of the most strikingly individualistic musicians to emerge from the sometimes predictable British trad scene. His presence in the already formidable Welsh band helped to create much memorable music.

Clarinetist Archie Semple, whose influences included Edmond Hall and Pee Wee Russell passed away on January 26, 1974 in London, England.

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