Harry Rabinowitz (March 26, 1916 - June 22, 2016)

The death of conductor/composer Harry Rabinowitz aged 100 may seem an unlikely subject for these pages but he did have a, albeit somewhat tenuous, jazz connection. 

At university, in his native South Africa, he played piano in the college jazz band and, in later years, when selected to appear on Desert Island Discs his first choice was the Louis Armstrong/Earl Hines version of West End Blues.

Later, of course, his name became synonymous with BBC variety, first on radio and then on television. Composer credits followed on both large and small screen.

During the course of his Desert Island Discs programme, recorded last year, he told Kirsty that the key to his longevity was very little sugar, no white flour adding, “and sometimes I go days without any alcohol whatsoever”.

He played the piano every day until his death.

Harry Rabinowitz died in France on June 22.

Rest In Peace.

Obituary.

Lance.