Simon Spillett, Peter King (1), John Horler, Alec Dankworth, Spike Wells

Simon Spillett and Peter King’s Tribute to Tubby Hayes.

Tenor sax giant Simon Spillett, together with legendary self-taught alto sax player Peter King, present a tribute to, and reminiscences of, the UK’s greatest ever saxophonist Tubby Hayes.

Simon has just published his book on his idol Tubby, entitled The Long Shadow of the Little Giant. Peter King, who in 1959 at 19 played at the opening night of world famous Ronnie Scott’s Soho jazz club, was a contemporary and good friend of Tubby and has amusing anecdotes to tell.

Tubby Hayes, born and bred in London, started playing the tenor sax at eleven. Ronnie Scott told of an early encounter with Tubby while playing at a club near Kingston when he was asked whether he minded if a local player sat in: ‘This little boy came up, not much bigger than his tenor sax. Rather patronisingly I suggested a number and off he went. He scared me to death.’

After leading his own octet with which he toured the UK for eighteen months, at age 22 Tubby joined Ronnie Scott for two years in co-leading the legendary ‘Jazz Couriers’. Subsequently a busy schedule saw him visiting the USA many times, playing with all the greats.

He also appeared in four films including ‘All Night Long’ with Charlie Mingus and Dave Brubeck, had his own television series, and played with a multitude of big names including standing in for Paul Gonsalves, the featured soloist at a Duke Ellington orchestra performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Tubby died aged just 38 in 1973 during a second heart operation.

For their tribute to this great saxophonist, Simon Spillett and Peter King are supported by a superb rhythm section featuring John Horler on piano, Alec Dankworth on double bass and Spike Wells on drums.

Jazz at Progress is presented in association with Jazz in Reading.