Next month a concert celebrating the unique career of Humphrey Lyttelton, the great jazzer, broadcaster and quizmaster, will take place at HMV Apollo in Hammersmith, west London. The show, which takes place on 25 April, has been constructed about Lyttelton’s twin talents: blowing a trumpet and giving people silly things to do.
All proceeds will go to a new charity known as the Humph Trust. Its aim will be to help develop the careers of young jazz musicians. To give the Humph Trust’s efforts a focus, the Royal Academy of Music is introducing an annual gong known as the Humphrey Lyttelton Royal Academy of Music Jazz Award.
Gerard Presencer, the head of jazz at the Royal Academy, recalls meeting Humph at the age of 15. "His enthusiasm and encouragement had a profound effect on me,” he says, “inspiring me to practise and also to feel part of a tradition and lineage. I was also even more pleased, when meeting Humph over subsequent years, that he always asked me how I was getting on and showed genuine interest."
The concert features many musicians from the various incarnations of Humphrey Lyttelton bands, as well as Charlie Watts, Courtney Pine, Elkie Brooks, Jools Holland, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk, not forgetting the pianist Colin Sell. The comedians who will make the presence felt are as you’d expect: I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue veterans Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Barry Cryer, as well as the show’s more recent panellists - Rob Brydon, Andy Hamilton, Jack Dee, Jeremy Hardy, Tony Hawks and Sandi Toksvig.
Gerard Presencer, the head of jazz at the Royal Academy, recalls meeting Humph at the age of 15. "His enthusiasm and encouragement had a profound effect on me,” he says, “inspiring me to practise and also to feel part of a tradition and lineage. I was also even more pleased, when meeting Humph over subsequent years, that he always asked me how I was getting on and showed genuine interest."
The concert features many musicians from the various incarnations of Humphrey Lyttelton bands, as well as Charlie Watts, Courtney Pine, Elkie Brooks, Jools Holland, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk, not forgetting the pianist Colin Sell. The comedians who will make the presence felt are as you’d expect: I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue veterans Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Barry Cryer, as well as the show’s more recent panellists - Rob Brydon, Andy Hamilton, Jack Dee, Jeremy Hardy, Tony Hawks and Sandi Toksvig.
- Humphrey Lyttelton: A Celebration Concert is at HMV Apollo on 25 April
- Humphrey Lyttelton official website
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