Humph and Digby

With the passing of Jazz Festival Patron of the last 23 years, Humphrey Lyttelton, the festival has appointed a new patron, cornet player, bandleader, broadcaster, journalist, author and all round jazz expert Digby Fairweather.

Throughout the Festival we will be remembering Humphrey Lyttelton. Many of the country’s finest musicians have passed through the Lyttelton band in its astonishing 60 year life and, of course, a number of those will be playing at this year’s festival. Respected Lyttelton alumni will be paying tribute in music and through interviews after their performances.

The Festival is also holding two special events to commemorate Humphrey;

Digby at Borders
Borders Bookshop in the Bull Ring will be holding a tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton, and George Melly, another Jazz Festival legend who passed recently. From 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm on Saturday July 5th Digby Fairweather will talk informally about Humph and George, illustrated by recordings of their music. Both Humph and George were highly entertaining and well regarded authors – and pretty prolific, too, considering their assorted other careers – and their books will be available at Borders, as well as Digby’s striking memoir of George’s last months ‘On the Road with George Melly’ which Digby will be signing.

Musicians’ Union Jam Session: Tribute to Humph
This year’s Musicians Union Jam Session at the Wine REPublic on Tuesday July 8th is headed by Digby Fairweather and Chris Walker. Dedicated to Humphrey Lyttelton, the Jam Session will not only feature a quintet fronted by Digby and Chris, but special guest musicians paying their own tribute.