Willie "The Lion" McIntyre

Born in Benalla, Victoria, William Landale McIntyre moved to Melbourne in 1937 and formed a dance trio with saxophonist Laurie Cowan, drummer Wes Brown, and himself on piano.^[1] After playing in several small groups, McIntyre became established in Melbourne's traditional jazz scene.^[3]

After serving in World War II, McIntyre returned to Australia and helped organise the first Australian Jazz Convention in 1946, and co-founded the Portsea Trio with Bill Miller on washboard and George Tack on clarinet in 1947.^[1]

During his work in the 1950s, McIntyre inspired others to take up the piano, such as Phil Sandford, who would later write a biography on McIntyre. Fellow pianist Dick Hughes also listed McIntyre as an influence, and pianist Ted Nettelbeck said hearing McIntyre's band play started his own interest in jazz too.^[4]

McIntyre is thought to have given himself the nickname "The Lion", after American jazz pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith.^[4] He used the name as early as the 1940s,^[5] and into the 1950s.^[6][7][8]

Outside of music, McIntyre worked for Victorian Public Service during his teens, and later for a company manufacturing waterproofing products.^[3] He retired from jazz in the 1960s,^[1] but occasionally performed into the 1970s.^[9][10]

On 11 September 1987, William Landale McIntyre died aged 68.^[2]