Derek Humble

b. 1931, Livingston, Durham, Britain, d. 22 Feb 1971, Easington, Britain. Humble started playing alto saxophone as a kid, learning to be a professional musician in his mid-teens. In the first 50s he performed in rings led by Vic Lewis, Kathy Stobart yet others, functioning alongside Peter Ruler. In 1953 he became a member of Ronnie Scott where he continued to be for another few years where he recorded thoroughly with Vic Feldman, Jimmy Deuchar, Tony Crombie and various other leading United kingdom modernists. In 1957 he visited Germany where he started an extended association with Kurt Edelhagen and, a couple of years later, using the Clarke-Boland Big Music group with whom he produced several information. In 1970 he started a stint with Phil Seamen but his wellness, never good due to his way of living, deteriorated sharply carrying out a mugging. A gifted participant with a primary, passionate solo design, Humble was among the excellent alto saxophonists of his era. His very long periods in European countries held him from appealing to the international position he warranted and his early loss of life provides helped make him among the forgotten guys of UK jazz.