Tubby Hayes 80th anniversary

January 30th 2015 is the anniversary birth date of one of Britain's great jazz musicians, saxophonist Tubby Hayes, who would have been 80. Tubby played regularly with fellow saxophonist Ronnie Scott during the 1950/60s as well as playing at iconic American venues and recording with American artists including James Moody, Roland Kirk, Walter Bishop Jr, Clark Terry, Horace Parlan and Louis Hayes. He also sat in with many visiting jazz greats including Duke Ellington. Hayes suffered from heart problems and died in 1973.

Jazz FM's Bob Sinfield who presents Thursday night's Peppermint Candy programme writes:

"Tubby Hayes was, quite simply, one of the greatest musicians this country has produced - in any genre. A true polymath, he conquered composing, bandleading and arranging, to say nothing of his mastery of the tenor sax, flute and vibes (proving himself equally proficient on all three).

His ‘100% Proof’ album was a major milestone for British big bands: it even included a visionary arrangement of ‘Milestones’, dare I say eclipsing the Davis original (cries of 'Heresy!' from the cheap seats but I stand by that view). Collectors of odd footnotes might be aware that the young Edward Brian Hayes attended the same school as John Major (though some years earlier) and was expelled for spending too much time on jazz!

The film buffs among you may like to visit a Youtube clip from "Dr Terror's House of Horrors" where Tubby and his drummer Allan Ganley share the screen with Roy Castle, playing a voodoo-based anthem and inadvertently putting a hex on themselves. 

As one who has revelled in his work since the 70s, I'm delighted Tubby's legacy is so easily available now: let's mark his 80th anniversary with a pledge to keep it that way"