Hayes, Tubby (Edward Brian)

Hayes, Tubby (Edward Brian), jazz tenor saxophonist, vibraphonist, composer; b. Raynes Park, London, England, Jan. 30, 1935; d. Hammersmith, London, England, June 8, 1973. He was the best-known and best-loved British jazzman of his generation. His father was a violinist who played with the BBC Revue Orch. Hayes began on violin at age eight, then two years later took up piano, and the following year, sax. He was a professional at 15, working in various big bands led by Kenny Baker (1951), Vic Lewis (1953), and Jack Parnell (1954), among others. Hayes led his own octet in the mid-1950s, with which he toured England. He started playing vibes a year later and co-led the Jazz Couriers with Ronnie Scott from 1957-59. In the fall of 1961 he was in N.Y. During the early and mid-1960s, he became a featured soloist at several clubs in America, while also having a regular television show in England from 1961-63. He played with Duke Ellington at Royal Festival Hall in 1964. From the mid-1960s, he suffered from ongoing heart trouble, which led him to concentrate on composing rather than performing, although during the early 1970s he made one last run as a performer/leader. He died during heart surgery in mid- 1973.

Discography

Little Giant of Jazz (1955); T.’s Groove (1959); I. the Tenor (1961); N.Y. Sessions (1961); Introducing T. (1961); Couriers of Jazz (1961); T/s Back in Town (1962); Return Visit (1962); Late Spot at Scott’s (1962); Tribute: T (1963); 100% Proof (1966); Mexican Green (1967); For Members Only (1967).

—John Chilton, Who’s Who of British Jazz/Lewis Porter