I notice in the New Year's honours list our boy Courtney Pine has been awarded a CBE. Not as desirable an accolade as being admitted to the Down Beat Hall of Fame but I suppose it'll do in the meantime.
Now, whilst I don't begrudge CP his CBE, I can't help thinking that there are other musicians in this country more deserving of such recognition. My personal choice would be Bruce Adams.
Last year, most deservedly, Andy Hamilton got an MBE and Martin Taylor too has one hanging above the mantlepiece. A cue for a song; "Any Place I Hang My MBE is Home."
I'm not sure about Alan Barnes, Guy Barker and Digby - I've got a feeling they too may have some letters after their names.
The main thing is that whether or not you agree with the honours system and I personally do, anything that brings jazz to the public's attention can't be bad.
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