Tubby Hayes

Tubby Hayes (1935-1973) is (along with his similarly multi-talented contemporary, Victor Feldman) one of UK jazz’s most extraordinary prodigies. He made his first recording with trumpeter Kenny Baker at the age of 16 and was soon performing alongside his mentor Ronnie Scott. Together they led the Jazz Couriers from 1957 to 1959. A muscular tenor saxophonist, Hayes was equally gifted on flute and on vibraphone. He made a strong impression in successive visits to New York in the early 1960s, recording with Clark Terry, James Moody, Horace Parlan and Roland Kirk among others. As well as leading his own quartet, Hayes formed a big band in 1961 which would feature some of the era’s greatest soloists including Peter King, Alan Skidmore, Les Condon, Ian Hamer, Hank Shaw, Mick Pyne and Louis Stewart.  Addiction and ill health were to slow Hayes down and in 1973 he was to die of heart failure at the tragically young age of 38.

Key Recordings:

Tubbs in N.Y. (Fontana 1961)

Mexican Green (Fontana 1967)