Tributes are paid to 'Humph' (From Gazette Series)

Tributes are paid to 'Humph'

12:08pm Monday 28th April 2008 in

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THORNBURY Arts Festival organisers have paid tribute to jazz legend Humphrey Lyttelton, who was set to headline the event later this month.

The veteran musician and Radio 4 favourite, known fondly as Humph', died aged 86 last Friday.

He died following surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm after being admitted to Barnet General Hospital on April 16.

The musician and his eight piece band was set to headline Thornbury Arts Festival with an evening of traditional jazz.

Festival Art director Barbara Ray said: "He was a class act who had such wide appeal - as we soon as we announced he was coming tickets sold out very quickly.

"He was not only a great trumpeter and traditional jazz champion but also a cartoonist, writer and broadcaster with a cult following for his Radio 4 comedy show I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue.

"We are greatly saddened by his death."

Arts festival organisers have secured clarinettist Acker Bilk to headline the event instead.

Acker, born in Pensford, Somerset, is probably most famous for writing the hit single Stranger on the Shore, which stayed in the charts for 55 weeks in 1968.

He will play with his Paramount Jazz band on the last night of the festival, Saturday, May 17.

Mrs Ray said: "We went back to Humphrey's agent and they straight away recommended we have Acker.

"Acker is a great friend of Humphrey and an appropriate replacement, we're sure he will put on a grand show."

The concert is already a sell out after almost everyone who booked tickets to see Humphrey transferred their tickets to see Acker Bilk.

Details of the 2008 Festival will soon be available on the Festival website (www.thornburyartsfestival.com) or by calling 01454 412272.