Digby Fairweather

About Digby

Digby Fairweather became a fulltime jazzman in 1977 after twelve years as a qualified librarian in Southend-on-Sea working night by exhausting night in everything from local soul and dance bands to avant-garde jazz ensembles in Southend and all over his home-county of Essex. In 1971 he formed his first ‘Half Dozen’ to play his preferred music – Swing and Dixieland – and from 1973 began working his way up the ladder as a junior partner in established jazz bands led by professionally qualified musicians including Hugh Rainey, David ‘Eggy’ Ley and Eric Silk and later with Keith Nichols, Ron Russell and Lennie Hastings.

“There really is nobody quite like Digby Fairweather, a man who has long been – and more significantly remains – a force for our music, a winner of many new friends for the cause and, best of all, a jazz musician who continues to prove that being true to ones own direction – that voice-forging faith – can build a career that can last a lifetime”

Simon Spillett

“One of our great jazzmen – and the UK’s leading man-about jazz – Digby Fairweather has assuredly taken the place vacated by Humphrey Lyttelton as Britain’s leading jazz personality!”

Jim Simpson, Director, Big Bear Music, 2010

“Having seen Digby play as a youngster, I was greatly moved by the incredible warmth of his music. He plays the purest melodies that hit you right in the heart, something that is missing from a lot of players these days. He has succeeded in creating a personal style of playing which is very listenable to without compromising quality, something which I aspire to because of him! He is a true British jazz legend”

Freddie Gavita, Trumpeter, Ronnie Scott All Stars, 2015

Half DozeN

In 2022 Digby (now celebrating over fifty years in professional jazz) continues to lead his poll winning band. “The very first Half Dozen” he says “-was formed in 1971 with some local pals in Essex including clarinettist Alwyn ‘Ollie’ Dow who thought up the name. Unusually at the time we played Swing arrangements and some Dixieland – and even some jazz-rock for a surprise! – and we had a great night at the 100 Club in 1971 supporting Alex Welsh who became a great friend and mentor”.

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THE JAZZ CENTRE UK

The Jazz Centre UK is a focal point for everything related to jazz. As well as music, we embrace dance, fashion, art and design. We are a registered charity and our aim is; “TO PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THE CULTURE OF JAZZ IN ALL ITS FORMS”

Sands by the Sea

Every last Thursday of the month Digby brings the Best of British Jazz to the luxurious ‘Sands by the Sea’ located in The Icon Building, Adventure Island, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE.

Digby Fairweather