Alexander Hawkins Posted April 27, 2008 Report Posted April 27, 2008 p.s. Christiern - wonderful photo! I'm really going to miss 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' as well... RIP Humph. Quote
sidewinder Posted April 27, 2008 Report Posted April 27, 2008 I'm really going to miss 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' as well... RIP Humph. Yeah, 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' livened up many a drive back home after a heavy day's work. Some of his 'Samantha' comments were priceless (and very risque for 6.30pm on the Beeb). Quote
sidewinder Posted April 27, 2008 Report Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Humph's show covered a wide range of jazz styles, including contemporary, and the BBC devotes quite a bit of time to jazz and blues. Very true. I listened to the show pretty well every week in the late 70s/early 80s and remember hearing for the first time the likes of late-period Coltrane, Archie Shepp and Roswell Rudd. It was an especially great intro though into the earlier jazz, which didn't get much airplay on the Beeb during that period (in fact any period). Humph cast his net far and wide. Admittedly though I don't remember hearing any Anthony Braxton on that show (he left that to Charles Fox on Radio 3). Edited April 27, 2008 by sidewinder Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted April 27, 2008 Report Posted April 27, 2008 Very sad news. Humphrey Lyttelton was everything jazz should be about - open minded, wide ranging, no airs and graces, yet founded on genuine enthusiasm and real knowledge. When all the jazz experts in Britain were getting shirty about new jazz singers, Humph actually listened to them and played the ones he enjoyed. His programmes exuded good humour and a wish to share what he enjoyed, without grandstanding or posturing. 'The Best of Jazz' (the Penguin edition) was one of the books that helped me understand why the jazz of the 20s and 30s actually mattered - until then I didn't have ears for it. I only saw him once in a concert that included Jimmy Hastings. I'd gone out of curiosity, expecting something tame and nostalgic; instead, it was spirited, engaging and an absolute delight. A great loss. Quote
sidewinder Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 For anyone who can get BBC Radio 4, there was a half-hour special yesterday morning in tribute to Humph presented by jazz buff ex-politician Ken Clarke. Well worth checking out ! Quote
BillF Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 For anyone who can get BBC Radio 4, there was a half-hour special yesterday morning in tribute to Humph presented by jazz buff ex-politician Ken Clarke. Well worth checking out ! Yes, heard it. Nice! (Apologies to John Thompson.) Quote
AllenLowe Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 (edited) just to retierate, Jazz I is one of the best books ever written on jazz history - I read it just before I did Devilin Tune, and it was very helpful - II was fine also - he has chapters on everyone from James P to Dickey Wells - so you cannot go wrong. Find it and read it - Edited May 1, 2008 by AllenLowe Quote
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