Jazz man Andy Hamilton celebrates 90th birthday

Mar 27 2008 by Alan Cross

WORLD class musicians from around the globe travelled to be with jazz man Andy Hamilton as he celebrated in his 90th birthday in Birmingham.

The show opened with a fitting testament to Andy’s work with young people as The Notebenders Big Band filled the Town Hall stage with enthusiasm of youth and two swinging jazz standards

Jamaican legend Sonny Bradshaw, 82 on Friday, led a stunning quartet of performances, opening with Black Voices pulling the heartstrings with Summertime.

In the blink of an eye, Ghanaian Master Drummer Nana Tsiboe, Cuban violin maestro Omar Puente were joined by Courtney Pine for an electric version of the Sonny Rollins classic St Thomas.

Next was the stunning vocalist Myrna Hague singing The Way We Were the way it should be and then 80 year old hoofer Will Gaines accompanied by Courtney Pine mesmerised the audience on Take the A Train.

Lord Bill Morris, Carl Chinn and The Lord Mayor made glowing speeches celebrating Andy Hamilton’s extraordinary contribution to Brum.

But the night belonged to Andy Hamilton, who was surrounded by his family and a sell out a audience.