Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton celebrates the man and his music in what would have been his 100th year.  , the , would have been 100 this year. To mark his contribution, trumpeter Chris Hodgkins will lead an impressive ten-piece band of  top musicians to celebrate .

Humph, as he was affectionately known, led the revival of 40s and 50s jazz. He was the first jazzer to have a Top 20 hit with his ‘Bad Penny Blues’. Apart from elder statesman for the jazz fraternity, he was also well-known for his broadcasting work. He hosted both Radio 2’s The Best of Jazz and Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. 

The programme will  include new original music based on Lyttelton’s writings and journals as well as a travelling exhibition on his life and times. The tour also has the support of Susan da Costa, Humph’s long-time manager.

This will be a wonderful and entertaining evening of music and banter, interspersed with some typical droll Humph one liners.

The band includes some of the country’s leading jazz players with some special guests from the US joining the tour.

Chris Hodgkins – trumpet, Henry Lowther – trumpet, Charlotte Glasson – sax, Diane McLoughlin – sax, Mark Bassey – trombone, Alison Rayner – double bass, Cheryl Alleyne – drums.

And all the way from the USA – Chris Johansen – sax, Jinjoo Yoo – piano and Wayne Wilkinson – guitar