Very sad to learn of the death of Tommy Whittle on Monday October 14 - one day after his 87th birthday. One of the UK's greatest ever tenor players he could out-swing just about anyone. He played several times at Blaydon Jazz Club and I remember a memorable gig he did at Live Theatre with the great Polish pocket trumpet player Janusz Carmello. I first heard Tommy Whittle live at the Hopbine, a pub in Wembley, where he ran a Wednesday night jazz club for many years. I've also got a live recording from there with Tubby Hayes - that was quite a night! As well as the Hopbine he had another residency - The Dorchester, talk about contrast!
Married to singer Barbara Jay they made a formidable team and our sympathy goes out to Barbara and family.
Tommy Whittle will be sadly missed.
Lance.
4 comments :
Sad news. We were privileged to bring Tommy to Blaydon several times - he always played great and was the perfect gentleman.
A legend of the UK jazz scene.
Roly
Very sad news. RIP Tommy x.
A great player and a very nice man.
Listening to Tommy's CD Grace Notes - the most beautiful version of Polka Dots and Moonbeams I've ever heard. Oh man that tone! Every note just the right one. Reminds me of a night back in the 1980's when I heard him at the Bull's Head in Barnes with Turk Mauro on baritone. That was one night when I didn't mind missing the last tube from Hammersmith! Can't remember how we got to our digs - probably floated on air...
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