Humphrey Lyttelton
Humphrey Lyttelton aka “Humph” (23 May 1921 – 25 April 2008) was a talented broadcaster, humorist, cartoonist, trumpeter and jazz band leader. Musically, he is remembered for Bad Penny Blues, a hit in 1956, while as a broadcaster he presented The Best of Jazz for forty years, and hosted the hilarious comedy panel game I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. Louis Armstrong was so impressed with Humphrey Lyttelton’s playing that he referred to him as “that cat in England who swings his ass off.”
Born at Eton College and related to the nobility, Humphrey Lyttelton turned his back on titles and honours. A turning point in his life arrived upon leaving school when he worked at Port Talbot Steel Works. His experiences there forged his political beliefs, which he termed as “romantic socialism”.
A second lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards, Humphrey Lyttelton saw Second World War action at Salerno, Italy during Operation Avalanche. When he came ashore, he held a pistol in one hand and a trumpet in the other.
On VE Day, 8 May 1945, Humphrey Lyttelton joined the celebrations in London by playing his trumpet from a wheelbarrow. Inadvertently, the BBC broadcast his performance in a recording that still survives.
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One reply on “Music Notes #2”
A man who turned his back on his aristocratic heritage – you got to like him!
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