Walter Hanlon 1926 - 2009
On Dec 23rd 2009 Walter Hanlon, photographer and friend, died.
Walter Hanlon was born in Glasgow in 1926. After leaving school and a stint in the Merchant Navy, he became a professional guitarist, working with ENSA and the American USO. During this time Walter developed an interest in photography and in 1949 left the music business to pursue a photographic career that was to last, until the mid fifties. His contacts in the music world gave him an 'in' to the London jazz scene and the opportunity to cover major music events for the entertainment press, and to produce pictures for EP and LP covers. The picture above was taken in Humph's flat in Belzize Park and can now be seen in the National Portrait Gallery. Humph was a great admirer of Walters work and they remained in contact throughout his life.
A recent book of Walters work can be bought by clicking here.
A new Book
of Humphs Cartoons has just been released. For this and many other CD and spoken word new releases Click Here
When Humphrey Lyttelton died in April 2008 he left behind him an amazing record of his life in the form of cartoons and drawings. From sketches of family and jazz musicians, and Christmas cards, to illustrations for jazz flyers, there's little Humph didn't record. Humphrey Lyttelton enrolled in arts at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts in 1947 where he decided that cartooning and caricature were the way forward (as well as jazz, of course). He had already been drawing sketches from childhood - of housemasters or his wartime service in a coal town in Wales where he drew characters such as 'Toomph'. Through fellow band member, Wally Fawkes, known to the cartoon world as 'Trog', he secured a job as column breaker for the Daily Mail. His career as a cartoonist was relatively short as he went on to create his own band and become one of the greatest jazz musicians in the UK. But all the while, Humph kept doodling and sketching at every opportunity
Humph quote
The Oxford Book of Quotations has recently entered the following quote into its latest edition: "As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation."
Rarities CD Released
This collection of 67 tracks covers the period from Humphrey Lyttelton's first Parlophone session in 1949 through to December 1958 - a nine year slice showing the evolution of the band during its most prolific period of record making and at the peak of its popularity.
You can order online here or, by mail order from: NMP, PO Box 2000, Rochester ME1 1TA Tel: (UK) 01634 832 789
Cat No: 50999 2 66159 2 9
Humph's last album - winner of the British Jazz Awards New CD - 2009.
Calligraph label now available for download.
We can announce that nearly all the releases from Humph's own Label, Calligraph, are now available to download. Please go to the Calligraph page and scroll down to select you albums for download.
Last Chorus - now available in paperback
A new book entitled Last Chorus is now out on paperback. Compiled and edited by Humph's son Stephen, it is a collection of his writings that include books, articles, letters and excerpts from personal diaries. Lavishly festooned with examples of Humph's cartoons, calligraphy and many previously unseen photos. As son Stephen says " Who better to tell his story at this time? When I started to go through all this stuff I found myself laughing out loud and learning so much that, I had either forgotten or taken for granted. My father was many things to many people and it was clear from the wonderful tributes and messages that his loss was deeply felt by many. This book is for them"
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue Live (DVD)
Recorded over 2 legs of the 2007 sell out tour - the series' first ever live shows in it's 35 year history - I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue is as mad as always and even live you may still not be able to work out the elusive rules of Mornington Crescent! Join, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Jeremy Hardy and pianist Colin Sell plus Humphrey Lyttelton, in one of his final performances, in an un-missable evening of inspired nonsense.
The Band plays on
The Humphrey Lyttelton Band continue to perform his music and arrangements.. Please check the concerts page for listings.
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"As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation."
