 |
| Barbara Jay, Tommy Whittle, 2012 Photo credit Benjamin Amure. All Rights Reserved |
It is sad to report the death, on holiday in Spain on Sunday 13th October, of Scottish -born saxophonist Tommy Whittle. It was the day of his 87th birthday. His perfectionism and his refined and civilised playing graced countless big band, TV and small group sessions. For a time led an octet including Kenny Wheeler and Joe Temperley. He was awarded a medal for lifetime achievement by the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 2005, and continued playing until this year. RIP.
UPDATE Funeral Weds Oct 30th, Bushey Catholic Church. London Road, Bushey at 1.00pm, and afterwards at Bushey Golf Club
Not yet a subscriber of our Wednesday Breakfast Headlines?
Join the mailing list for a weekly roundup of Jazz News.
UPDATE: The TELEGRAPH and the GUARDIAN have obituaries
Ten Bar Gait by Tommy Whittle. with Tommy Whittle , tenor sax, Harry Klein, baritone sax, Joe Mudele, bass, Eddie Taylor, drums, Dill Jones, piano. Recorded 22nd March 1955.
Categories: Uncategorized
Very sad to hear this. He was one of the finest saxophonists this country ever produced and an example to musicians of later generations. My deepest condolences go to Barbara and Sean.
A marvellous player so lyrical and yet still swinging. Sadly missed.
Another of our great, original talents has left us. Very sad day. Enjoyed Tommy's playing live often &, of course, on discs.
Derek Ansell—writer.
Sad news. As teenagers we used to watch Tommy 50 years ago at the Hopvine, Wembley. Fantastic bebop band. Used to blow our minds. Great memories. RIP Tommy, Heaven just got a whole lot noisier.
Britain's Zoot Getz!
Happy memories of a great musician and a good same-age friend. (Glad we had a catch-up blether at Bushey last year) Thinking of you, Barbara. Donald MacLean (ex BBC).