This in itself presented a problem. Where to start? Armstrong, Basie, Ellington, Parker, Billie, Ella, Rollins, Trane, Mingus ... Then the answer came in a flash - Tubby Hayes!
I'd just finished re-reading Simon Spillett's definitive work (The Long Shadow of the Little Giant) for what was maybe the second or third time and, as I re-absorbed each of the 180,000 words, I felt compelled to delve into Tubby's CDs and LPs of which I have-a-plenty.
From the early Tempo Quartets to the Jazz Couriers to the classic albums such as Mexican Green I ducked and dived dipping in here and there.
Marvelling at that almost incomprehensible technique on tenor, the throaty flute sound and the sensitivity of his vibes playing I also recalled those nights hearing him at the Flamingo as well as at a memorable session at the Downbeat Club in Newcastle.
It was when I was listening to one of the many versions of Mexican Green - a BBC 625 recording - that I had a positively sacrilegious thought ...
Tubby's staccato-tongued theme statement sounded not unlike the Yakety Sax play out at the end of the Benny Hill Show!
I guess he blew the fastest tenor in the west! Lance
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