Humphrey Lyttelton: The Jazz Maestro
Early Life
Humphrey Richard Adeane Lyttelton, also known as Humph, was born on May 23, 1921, at Eton College in Buckinghamshire, England. His father, George William Lyttelton, was a house master at Eton College. Humphrey was a first cousin of the 10th Viscount Cobham and a great-nephew of the politician and sportsman Alfred Lyttelton. At Eton, Lyttelton developed his love for jazz, inspired by the trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Nat Gonella. He taught himself the trumpet and formed a quartet at the school in 1936.
Military Service
After leaving school, Lyttelton spent some time at the Port Talbot steel plate works in South Wales, an experience which led to his becoming what he termed a “romantic socialist”. During World War II, he was commissioned in the Grenadier Guards as a second lieutenant and saw action at Salerno, Italy, during Operation Avalanche. On VE Day, Lyttelton joined in the celebrations by playing his trumpet from a wheelbarrow, inadvertently giving his first broadcast performance.
Musical Career
After the war, Lyttelton became a professional musician, leading his own eight-piece band. His early group, which recorded with Sidney Bechet in 1949, was a Dixieland revival group that performed the music of the 1920s. In the mid-1950s, the band shifted toward swing music. An excellent trumpeter who had a deep feeling for early jazz, Lyttelton began doubling on the clarinet in the 1960s. He often performed and toured with visiting Americans, including Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, and fellow trumpeter Buck Clayton.
Broadcasting Career
In addition to his musical career, Lyttelton was also a successful broadcaster. He presented BBC Radio 2’s The Best of Jazz for forty years, and hosted the comedy panel game I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue on BBC Radio 4, becoming the UK’s oldest panel game host. His radio shows endeared him to a new generation of fans for their mixture of erudition and hilarity.
Other Pursuits
Lyttelton was also a cartoonist, collaborating on the long-running Flook series in the Daily Mail, and a calligrapher and president of The Society for Italic Handwriting. He wrote humor pieces for Punch magazine, served as a restaurant critic for Harper’s and Queen magazines, and founded the Calligraph record label in 1984.
Legacy
Humphrey Lyttelton passed away on April 25, 2008, in London, England.
- “Bad Penny Blues”: This was a hit single in 1956 by Humphrey Lyttelton and his band. It’s a lively piece that showcases Lyttelton’s skill on the trumpet.
- “West End Blues”: A recording from 1948, this track features Lyttelton’s band and showcases their Dixieland revival style.
- “Salty Dog”: Another track from 1948, this song is a great example of Lyttelton’s early jazz influences.
- “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”: Recorded in 1948, this track is a lively interpretation of the classic song by Irving Berlin.
- “Ory’s Creole Trombone”: This 1948 recording showcases the band’s ability to play in the Creole jazz style.
- “Twelve Bar Blues”: A classic blues structure played with a jazz twist, this track from 1948 is a great example of Lyttelton’s versatility.
- “Victory House Drag”: This track from 1948 is a lively piece that showcases the band’s Dixieland style.
- “When The Saints Go Marching In”: A classic jazz standard, this 1948 recording showcases Lyttelton’s skill on the trumpet and his band’s tight ensemble playing.
- “Careless Love”: This traditional folk song was given a jazz makeover by Lyttelton and his band in their 1948 recording.
- “Jenny’s Ball”: A lively track from 1948, this song showcases the band’s ability to play in a variety of jazz styles.
