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Humph’s tribute to jazz mecca
JAZZ legend Humphrey Lyttelton paid a moving tribute to The Concorde Club just weeks before he died.
It is being used in an introduction to a book which tells the 50 years' history of the Eastleigh club which has become a jazz mecca, attracting world famous artists.
The 86-year-old trumpet playing band leader, pictured above, was interviewed by the Daily Echo last month just before he stepped on the stage at The Concorde Club where he had been a regular since the sixties.
Humph, as he was affectionately known to his army of fans, was chairman of the hit radio show, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
He always treasured the moments that he played with his band at the Stoneham Lane Club and he had become a lifelong friend of Concorde boss Cole Mathieson.
In the foreword to the book Humph wrote: "The Concorde Club represents a postwar history of jazz. I first played for Cole back when the club was based in a Southampton pub. Throughout all the years I have known him he has remained the same unflappable character. What he has done for jazz is inestimable."
A cartoon, penned by Humph at the club two weeks before he died will be auctioned when the book, called The Concorde Club: The First 50 Years, is launched at a star studded dinner on Friday, May 30.
Guest speaker at the book launch will be football legend Jimmy Greaves, pictured, who has written 18 books in partnership with former Fleet journalist Norman Giller.
Jazz fan Norman, who is a Concorde regular, helped Cole write the book.
Sales of the book will also help boost funds for the Wessex Cancer Trust as for every book sold £1 will be donated to the charity.
Cole says: "As a jazz fan I am proud that the club is even longer established than the famous Ronnie Scott's club in London.
"We have had the cream of international and British jazz musicians playing at The Concorde and it is a credit to the club that they always want to come back."
Among the veritable giants of jazz who have played at the Concorde are Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Buck Clayton, Bud Freeman, Maynard Ferguson, Sonny Stitt, and leading British players of the calibre of Humphrey Lyttelton, Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Kenny Baker, Chris Barber, Tubby Hayes and legendary Nat Gonella.
Also on the bill have been modern masters such as Jamie Cullum, stunning song birds Clare Teal and Stacey Kent. Cole also recalls in the book the likes of Slade, Shakin' Stevens, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart and a young lad called Reg Dwight, who later became rather better known as Sir Elton John.
If you would like further information on the book or the book launch log onto theconcordeclub.com or ring 023 8061 3989.
10:48am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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