Jazz and laughs at Eton College
Amy Danbrowsky • Published 19 Apr 2012 09:30
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Eton College will play host to a dazzling concert which will commemorate and celebrate the life of a remarkable jazz great.
The Humphrey Lyttelton band will take to the stage to perform classic tunes in memory of the music man who died four years ago. All proceeds from the night will go to The Humph Trust, which supports and promotes young jazz musicians.
Alongside the magical music, funnyman Andy Hamilton will be there to bring laughter to the smooth sounds when he comperes the evening, and he spoke to The Guide to tell us a little more about how he got involved with the anniversary,
Andy said: "I knew Humph from doing panel shows and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. When Humph died they didn't have a band leader and they didn't have anyone to do it so I filled that in."
Humphrey Lyttleton, born at Eton College, led the eight-piece band to the forefront of the UK jazz scene - performing with a whole host of jazz greats, including a long time professional partnership with Elkie Brooks, and recording with Radiohead on their Amnesiac album.
Andy Hamilton, famous for his appearances on Have I Got News For You, as co-creator of Drop The Dead Donkey and, of late, the hugely successful Outnumbered, continued: "He was a very funny, charming elegant man. The compering is just a bit of fun, I tell a couple of jokes and sit down."
Although an avid supporter of the band, the music fan tells us that he's no "jazz expert", but that you don't have to be to enjoy the music on the night: "I am one of those people who knows what I like. I don't listen to a lot of jazz, but I love listening to the band - they're superb. They're world class musicians."
Of the concert, he said: "They'll do a wide repertoire and a lot of numbers Humph wrote. It will be a highly entertaining evening jazz-wise."
Although not intentionally, the gig will form a kind of warm up for his Hat Of Doom tour, which is coming to The Hexagon, in Reading, on Sunday, May 6. "The show always changes because I get audiences to pick topics out of a hat and at the interval I get them to leave questions for me on the stage which I have to answer - It's huge fun," Andy said.
And for all you Outnumbered fans, Andy told us there will be a Christmas special, with a new series coming to screens next year. He also said there will be an episode of Old Harry's Game out later this year for the Olympics.
But in terms of the concert, Andy wanted to stress: "It's a very good cause and It'll be an evening of laughter and very high class music."
The concert is on Sunday, from 7.30pm-10pm. Tickets are £20 or £15 to under 18s, at www.eventelephant.com/humph
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 20 Apr 12
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