NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC
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What they're saying about
Digby Fairweather
Digby began his professional career in 1977, working amongst others with the Midnite Follies Orchestra of Keith Nichols and Alan Cohen, clarinettist Dave Shepherd, 'Velvet' (a co-operative quartet featuring Len Skeat and two late great guitarists Ike Isaacs and Denny Wright), Lennie Hastings' band, and as a regular deputy for the late Alex Welsh. Since 1983 he concentrated on his own projects; amongst them a touring tribute to Nat Gonella, the Alex Welsh Reunion Band, the Kettners' Five (starring the late Tiny Winters), the Jazz Superkings (with Dave Shepherd, Roy Williams, Brian Lemon et al) and from 1995 a new edition of the 'Salute to Satchmo' touring show.
From 1990 he has broadcast regularly; for Jazz FM (1990-91) and BBC Radio 2/3 up to now as presenter of 'Jazz Parade' and 'Jazznotes'.
He is author of 'How to play the trumpet' (Elm Tree Books) and co-author of several more books including 'Jazz, the essential companion', 'Jazz; the rough guide', the 'Blackwell Guide to Jazz on Record' and 'Grove's Dictionary of Jazz'.
During his career Digby has recorded fifty albums on LP and CD.
From 1987 he was involved in setting up the National Jazz Archive for Jazz books, periodicals and memorabilia (based at Loughton Central Library, Essex); the Association of British Jazz Musicians and the Jazz section of the British Musicians' Union.
He has received a number of awards including 'BBC Jazz Society Musician of the Year' (1979), British Jazz Awards (1992 / trumpet; 1993 / Services to Jazz), Benno Haussman Award (Services to Jazz, 1993) and has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London (1992). He is listed in "Authors' and Writers' Who's Who", 'Popular Music Who's Who', and in 'The Best of British Men.'
