Hayes’ biographer Simon Spillett reminded his FB followers recently that 12 May is the 50th anniversary of 50s/60s British jazz sensation Tubby Hayes’ last gig, a low-key affair in Brighton. His last album had been an easy-listening one in 1969 (‘The Orchestra’) playing jazzed-up pop hits. His last album ‘proper’ had been 1967’s quartet set ‘Mexican Green’, which was itself recorded over a year earlier. An unreleased quartet album from 1968 was in the can – only released (as ‘Grits, Beans & Greens’) as recently as 2019 – in the superb ‘Complete Fontana Albums 1961-69 box set and separately.
In short, aside from serious health problems in the late 60s/early 70s, Tubbs had fallen out of fashion in Britain. He did, though, continue playing – in jazz pubs around Britain and a few visits to Scandinavia. Lots of posthumous recordings have emerged in recent years, including several from his 1969-73 ‘wilderness years’ – one of the first being this Swedish radio concert from 1972 (further, much more lavishly sleeve-noted Swedish 1972 radio recordings were released more recently as ‘Split Kick’). These late-period recordings reveal a more lyrical style of playing to the style that made his name in the 50s/60s (machine gunning runs) – he just didn’t have the breath any more. But some prefer this tamed version of Tubbs – I might even be one of them. He died aged 38 during a second heart operation on 8 June 1973.
Two further posthumous releases, both with essays by Spillett, are promised in June this year.
I went to see Simon S in a pub down the road last night and he played a couple of Tubby tunes. Excellent player.
Seen Mr Spillett a few times and he doesn’t disappoint. His biography of Tubby Hayes “The Long Shadow of the Little Giant” is excellent and well worth a read.
I always enjoy Simon’s booklet essays (not only for Tubbs’ releases but for others of that milieu – Rendell/Carr, Ronnie Scott et al.). I was thinking earlier today that I must re-read ‘The Long Shadow…’
Yes he did a Q& A at a showing of the Tubby documentary at our local jazz club so I bought a signed copy. He was quite grumpy. He also did an excellent set of Tubby tunes.
SS plays TH.
One of my lingering regrets is that, despite being around and close to Soho in this golden period of British jazz, I never got to see Tubby. Practically everybody else, but not Tubby.