Jade Warrior
Formed in 1970, this UK progressive rock outfit centred on the multi-instrumental talents of Tony Duhig (d. November 1990; guitar, bass, keyboards) and Jon Field (percussion, flute, guitar, keyboards), previously members of psychedelic-pop act July. Glyn Havard (bass/vocals) completed the pair’s new venture, which, although inspired by oriental motifs, betrayed a greater debt to UK progressive rock. Jade Warrior completed three albums for the renowned Vertigo Records label, the second of which, Revealed, expanded the line-up to include Allan Price (drums) and Dave Conners (saxophone). Last Autumn’s Dream introduced Duhig’s brother David (guitar) into the line-up. Havard left the band when a fourth set, Eclipse, failed to secure a release, while the founding duo began a parallel career as session musicians. Jade Warrior’s later releases, issued by Island Records and featuring the core duo of Tony Duhig and Field, showed an even greater propensity for experimentation, but failed to elevate the band above cult status. Following six years of inactivity, the Duhigs and Field reassembled the band for Horizen, but the reunion proved short-lived. Tony Duhig and Field recorded one further album, 1989’s unrepresentative, new age-orientated At Peace. Tony Duhig succumbed to a fatal heart attack in November 1990, shortly after he had begun playing with Field, Dave Sturt (bass) and Colin Henson (guitar) in a new line-up of Jade Warrior. Field carried on with the new line-up, releasing two further albums on the Red Hot label during the early 90s.