I was fortunate enough to see him live either as part of the Jazz Couriers, the group he co-led with Ronnie Scott or with his own quartet or quintet.
I've set myself the impossible task of picking out my ten favourite albums (in chronological order) which, after constantly changing my mind, ended up as the following:
Tubby Hayes: The Little Giant. I'm unashamedly cheating here as this is actually a 4 CD set that covers his early years (1954-56) with the big bands of Vic Lewis and Jack Parnell as well as smaller groups with Jimmy Deuchar, Dizzy Reece and Victor Feldman.
The Jazz Couriers: Live at the Dominion Theatre. The Couriers were without doubt the best modern small group in the UK at the time (1958) with Scott and Tubbs displaying the mastery of their instruments.
Tubby Hayes: The Eighth Wonder. Recorded a month after the previous album, by the wonders of multi-tracking Tubby plays 2 altos, 3 tenors, baritone, vibes and piano on three tracks. Truly wonderful. There's also a further nine tracks recorded a year later (1959) by his quartet (Shannon, Clyne and Seaman).
Tubby Hayes: Tubbs. The quartet, this time with with Bill Eydon on drums, plus some big band tracks and a great version on vibes of The Folks Who Live on the Hill. 1961.
Tubby Hayes and the All Stars: Return Visit. Tubby's second visit to New York saw him teamed up with Roland Kirk, Jimmy Gloomy (James Moody), Walter Bishop Jr., Sam Jones and Louis Hayes - five of the city's finest. He proved that he too was world class. 1962.
Tubby Hayes Quintet: A tribute: TUBBS. Recorded live in 1963 at the Dancing Slipper, Nottingham, the quintet of Tubby, Deuchar, Shannon, Freddy Logan and Allan Ganley are in fine form.
Tubby Hayes Quintet: Live at Ronnie Scott's. The same quintet are showcased on this vinyl recording from 1964. Blues and Modes Parts 1 and 2 occupy the two sides of the album. 1964.
Tubby Hayes: Live at the Hopbine featuring Tommy Whittle. I visited the Hopbine quite often when I made periodic trips to London. I did once see Tubbs and Tommy there but I don't know if it was this one or a different one altogether! I do remember enjoying the contrasting styles of both players. 1965.
Tubby Hayes Quartet: Mexican Green. I've saved what many regard as 'the best' almost till last and, deservedly so. Mike Pyne (piano), Ron Mathewson (bass), Tony Levin (drums). The influence of John Coltrane, who'd just died was evident and Tubby Hayes had never been one to rest on his laurels as this 1967 album proves.
Tubby Hayes Quartet: Live at the Hopbine 1968 Vol 1. Another vinyl gem this time with Louis Stewart on guitar, Kenny Baldock on bass and Spike Wells on drums.
Any of the above albums are a testimony to the greatness of a legend who left us 50 years ago aged just 38.
For more on Tubby Hayes check out Simon Spillett's The Long Shadow of the Little Giant. Lance
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