Humphrey Lyttelton

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26.04.2008 : Richard Warden wrote A sad, sad loss of one of the greats of his era. His dead-pan delivery and laconic style will be sadly missed.
26.04.2008 : Nick Price wrote Not noted as a comedian, yet he was a comic genius! To be able to say some of the smuttiest innuendos heard on radio, with pure innocense was one thing, but his timing was immaculate.

Also, to say he was one of the greats of British Jazz would not be overstating the fact. His BBC Radio 2 programme was a highlight of evening listening.

To say he will be missed is an understatement, radio is poorer for his loss, but rich because of his contributions.
26.04.2008 : Ellie Peach wrote How I loved "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" - and the chief reason was the comic timing, wit and laconic delivery of Humph.

Driving home at 6.30 and switching on Radio 4 to find that "I'm Sorry..." was on was always a joy.

It's hard to see at the moment how anyone could fill his shoes.

Thanks Humph for all the chuckles you gave us over the years.
26.04.2008 : Gordon Ferris wrote You did'nt have to be a grumpy old man to get the Humph!! Without repetition or repetition.
26.04.2008 : Graham Hermon wrote Sunday mornings will just not be the same. Listening to 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' whilst preparing Sunday lunch was something to always look forward to. Whilst not being a big lover of Jazz I always recognised Humphrery's musical talents. What joy this man bought to millions of people! Thank you Humphrey...
26.04.2008 : Willie Farndon wrote It is a great shame such a true gentleman of showbusiness has passed. I worked with Humph on April 11th at the Civic hall in Bedworth. A fantastic concert and a true Legend. He will be sorely missed.
26.04.2008 : Drew Baxter wrote What is your new address.
Signed Mrs Trellis of North Wales
26.04.2008 : Jeannette Oatley wrote How sad I was to hear of your passing Humph. When I was a teenager I regularly saw you perform at various jazz clubs. What a wonderful musician you were.
Over the last years you have given me such laughter on Radio 4 with "I Am Sorry I Haven't A Clue". Your comments about the delightful Samantha, your leadership of the team. One of the funniest programmes on Radio 4 and I have been an ardent listener for years.

I do not see how they can replace you dear Humph, you made the show your very own. I know if it does continue it will never be quite the same.

Thank you for the music, thank you for the laughter. Now rock them in Heaven. God bless Humph.
26.04.2008 : Kevin Scott wrote I've been a lover of Traditional jazz for a loing time, but never heard Humph's band until recently when I came across My Gal Sal. What a sound and what a trumpet solo. Not only were you a master musician you were a master comic too.

You'll be sorely missed.

Kevin Scott
Surrey.
26.04.2008 : Barry Watson wrote Hi
Humph completly changed my life when he agreed to be a special guest on my debut harmonica album " Building Dreams" in 1996.
The photo shows Humph and myself outside of my Studio on the day he overdubbed the trumpet on 4 of the 11 tracks on the CD.
His playing on " My Romance, for example, was beautiful.
RIP Humph
You were a brilliant man.
Barry Watson.
Westerham Kent.
ps/
See Humph on my website at:- http://www.barrybwm.plus.com
26.04.2008 : George Duncan wrote Through my involvement with various Jazz festivals I had the privelege of introducing Humph onstage and I was very lucky to be able to chat to him backstage on a few occassions. He was also the Duke Ellington Society's Hon President and my greatest thrill, as a contributer to the Society's magazine, was when he signed his latest book,..... "To George, I read you too... (every quarter in the magazine ) !! .... He was a lovely man and I feel very very priveleged to have known him, albeit in such a small way. He'll be a very welcome addition in the Great Jazz Band up in Heaven.
26.04.2008 : Bill Curnow wrote As a schoolboy in the 50's, Humph's LP Live at the Festival Hall - with numbers like Onions, Trog's Blues, I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate, etc - turned me onto a lifelong love of jazz. Thanks Humph.

Wish I still had that record!
26.04.2008 : John Lowry wrote Humph introduced me to jazz as a 12 year old schoolboy at a saturday afternoon concert at the Free Trade Hall in 1954 and I have been greatly indebted to him over the subsequent 54 years. he brought so much happiness to my life in so many ways as he did of course to so many millions of others. His memory will be for ever with us. Am playing a CD of Humph at the Conway as I write this!
John Lowry
26.04.2008 : Neil Hughes wrote I met Humph many times when he played in our club in Altrincham, Cheshire. What a true gentleman, and someone who was always enthusiastic and committed. His love of jazz meant he continued to promote young talent throughout his life, and many muscians will be grateful for that. A very sad loss, yet a life well lived and definitely to be celebrated.

Neil Hughes, The Cinnamon Club, Altrincham.
26.04.2008 : Vince Iuliano wrote My first exposure to Mr Lyttleton's work was through the masterful Building Dreams that Barry Watson introduced me to. The horn on those tracks were/are magical - a thing of beauty to behold forever.
Anybody who can play music that beautifully deserves a place in St Peter's band, and can never really ever be gone.
Thanks Mr Lyttleton, for bringing us some beautiful sounds that will enrich and enliven our lives for years to come.
27.04.2008 : Trevor Colluney wrote I remember seeing Humph live in a club in Soho in the mid 60's what a loss to this mad world of ours, -- he was stable beacon to my busy life. I would stop the car when driving home from work and listen to his melodic voice ---- such a calming end to a day --- and his team work was so perfectly timed that I thought that his interjection skills were such that I could use them with my students --- Goodbye Humph -- Thanks for the wonderful memories.
Trevor --Bolton - on -Toast
27.04.2008 : Jeannette Locorriere wrote Humph will be sorely missed. He was a great entertainer and a true gentleman. His timing was always immaculate, whather performing jazz or delivering lines in I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. It gave me my biggest laugh listening to the panel singing You've Lost That Loving Feeling to the tune of John Browns Body, I laughed for weeks over that! Sunday lunch times won't be the same without you Humph, I'm going to miss you.
27.04.2008 : Ros Glickman wrote Dearest irreplaceable Humph - what a legacy you've left. As Max Miller used to say, 'there'll never be another'.

Thanks for everything.

Ros and Ted
27.04.2008 : Patricia Mathewson wrote Humphrey Littleton and the team of I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue probably made me laugh more than any other radio or T.V. programme. This family will definitely miss his wit and laid back kind of humour. I'm only sorry that we never managed to get tickets to a live show.
27.04.2008 : charles white wrote How many, many more will share our devastation at Humph's passing, an amazing life of gifting his talent to millions of people; incredibly, in two highly competitive professions. Others have better expressed our shared sense of deep sorrow, akin to the loss of a dear friend. The joy we felt at listening to Ii'm sorry," and especially his voice and delivery of scandalously risque is matched by heartbreak at his passing. We will be forever grateful for the duration of his active contribution. Goodbye, friend.
27.04.2008 : janet oakley wrote A sad loss of a true gentleman will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, reunited with his lovely wife,
sympathy to his family
Janet and Pat from Barnet
27.04.2008 : Lian Cranstone - Owers wrote It was a privilege to have know Hump & we had many laughs. He will be greatly missed.
Love Jean, Roy, Lian & Rob
27.04.2008 : Neil Townsend wrote My son and I attended the road show last Monday in Bournemouth - Humph was not there because he was in hospital - we were so disappointed to miss him - as my son said, "he is 50% of the reason I wanted to come" - but Humph sent a taped message (he sounded so well) "I am in hospital so I can't be with the rest of the team tonight, how I wish I'd thought of this years ago!" We all laughed - that was his final gift to us. Rob Dryden sat in for Humph and did a very good job. At the interval I said to my son, "Do you get the feeling we are looking at the future tonight?" He agreed. When the show finished we applauded the team, not only for the show that night but for 40 years of happiness, laughter and fun that has brought joy to our lives and crossed generations. Thank you Humph your personal legacy will be treasured by millions for many years to come.
28.04.2008 : MIchael Clitheror wrote I sadly never met the great Humph but he brought joy to my life ever year through the glory that was Clue and even now 25 years after first hearing the show it can still make me laugh out loud. I'm sure there will be much laughter in heaven thanks to him
28.04.2008 : NIGEL SUDBOROUGH wrote Humph had that rare ability to cross generations - now missed equally by both my daughter and me for the sheer joy of his sardonic and rapier wit. How we both laughed together at the sheer nonsense of the 'Clue'! A great loss to both radio and our lives.
Humphrey Lyttelton

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