Musician, Radio Presenter. A prominent member of the British tradional jazz movement of the mid-20th century, he was a renowned jazz trumpeter and composer who fronted his own band for over 60 years. As the Lyttleton Band, they made a series of recordings for EMI Records including hits such as "Bad Penny Blues", through which he was instrumental in bringing jazz into the mainstream in Britain in a way it had never quite previously managed. He remained active on the jazz scene all his life, and also crossed over into pop successfully, working frequently with Elkie Brooks and most recently making a guest appearance on the 2001 Radiohead track "Life In A Glass House". One of his key influences was Louis Armstrong, who returned the favor by once describing Humph as "Britain's greatest trumpeter". He was also a cartoonist for the Daily Mail newspaper, long-time president of the Society For Italic Handwriting and founder in 1983 of Calligraph Records. He hosted BBC2's "The Best of Jazz" radio show for over 40 years and but his best known role was probably as the deadpan presenter of the BBC radio humorous show "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", a position which he had filled since 1972.
Musician, Radio Presenter. A prominent member of the British tradional jazz movement of the mid-20th century, he was a renowned jazz trumpeter and composer who fronted his own band for over 60 years. As the Lyttleton Band, they made a series of recordings for EMI Records including hits such as "Bad Penny Blues", through which he was instrumental in bringing jazz into the mainstream in Britain in a way it had never quite previously managed. He remained active on the jazz scene all his life, and also crossed over into pop successfully, working frequently with Elkie Brooks and most recently making a guest appearance on the 2001 Radiohead track "Life In A Glass House". One of his key influences was Louis Armstrong, who returned the favor by once describing Humph as "Britain's greatest trumpeter". He was also a cartoonist for the Daily Mail newspaper, long-time president of the Society For Italic Handwriting and founder in 1983 of Calligraph Records. He hosted BBC2's "The Best of Jazz" radio show for over 40 years and but his best known role was probably as the deadpan presenter of the BBC radio humorous show "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", a position which he had filled since 1972.
Bio by: Mount Hope NY
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