Tubby Hayes

Edward Brian "Tubby" Hayes (30 January 1935–8 June 1973} was a British jazz multi-instrumentalist, best known for his tenor saxophone playing in groups with Ronnie Scott and with trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar.

Early life

Hayes was born and brought up in Raynes Park, London. His father was a BBC studio violinist, and gave him violin lessons from an early age. Hayes showed talent from the beginning; by the age of ten he was playing the piano, and while he was still eleven he started on the tenor sax.

Related Topics:
Raynes Park - London - BBC - Violin - Piano

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One often-repeated story about his early career, while he was still at school, was told by Ronnie Scott. Scott was playing at a club near Kingston, and was asked if he minded if a local player sat in: "This little boy came up, not much bigger than his tenor sax. Rather patronisingly I suggested a number and off he went. He scared me to death."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a period spent playing with various semi-professional bands round London, Hayes left school and started playing professionally at the age of fifteen.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~