Armstrong's omission from the latter publication is unforgivable given that he was voted top trombonist in the Melody Maker Poll for four consecutive years (1949 - 1952) - second only to George Chisholm in overall gongs. Of the other 9 greats I've chosen, only Ian Carr came close to this feat winning the trumpet category three times.
Like many northern brass players he came to music via the brass band scene and, after wartime service in the Royal Artillery, he became a dance band musician with Lou Preager's band at the Hammersmith Palais where his playing caught the eye of the leader of a new band - Ted Heath.
This was the first great Heath band that included, at various times, Kenny Baker, Jack Parnell and (briefly) Ronnie Scott. No doubt it was the exposure gained with this high-flying outfit that helped Armstrong, and the above trio, to their Melody Maker successes.
After leaving Heath he joined the Skyrockets who, led by Woolf Phillips, were resident orchestra at the London Palladium followed by stints with the BBC Showband and Jack Parnell's ATV studio orchestra.
Eventually, the wheel turned the full circle and he became part of the New Ted Heath Band organised by Moira Heath and led by Armstrong's successor in the Heath trombone section, Don Lusher. Lusher, incidentally, only managed two MM number ones.
He was 85 when he died but, hopefully, this rather longer post than intended will help to sustain his memory.
Lance.
PS: Thanks to Maurice Summerfield and Len Gatoff for ensuring that Jackie Armstrong wasn't overlooked in this, the final part of the series. I assume there will be those out there reminding me of the ones I've overlooked.
Soon, perhaps, we will have a series commemorating those who are still with us such as John McLaughlin, Paul Booth, Paul Moran, Paul Edis and Jo Harrop for starters...
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