Jazz-man Kenny Ball dies at the age of 82 years old

Kenny enjoyed a successful career, where his band even had a regular slot on the Morecambe and Wise show

12:53 08 March 2013

Essex-born trumpet player and singer Kenny Ball has died at 82 years old. The musician, from ‘Kenny Ball and his band The Jazzmen’, died on Thursday, 7th March. It is believed he died from pneumonia.

The band became hugely popular for their swinging jazz music in the 60’s. Their songs include “Samantha” and “Someday (You'll Be Sorry)”.

However, it was the hit track “Midnight In Moscow” which sailed to second position in the UK charts and also in America. The band sold at least one million copies of this song worldwide.

During his career, Kenny and his band also became familiar faces on the prominent UK TV programme the Morecambe and Wise show. Here, ‘Kenny Ball and his band The Jazzmen’ enjoyed a regular slot as the show’s band for a number of years.

And their success wasn’t only limited to TV, as the band also played at the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Kenny and his men performed at the couple’s reception. The royal wedding ceremony took place on 29 July, 1981, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

And the Brit artist was also given the honorary citizenship award for New Orleans, America.

As well as this, Kenny performed alongside the likes of fellow jazz star Louis Armstrong, who sadly passed away in 1971.