I've reached the top and had to stop, and that's what botherin' me

Happy National Beer Garden Day! [I am waiting for it to warm up a bit before spending time in one, to be honest...]

Among another ill-matched assortment of fellow celebrants including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Richard Wagner, Sir Laurence Olivier, Naomi Campbell (55), Harvey Milk [NB Harvey Milk Day 22 May is a holiday in California], Charles Aznavour, Quinn Martin, Hergé, George Best, Barbara Parkins, Alla Nazimova, Don Estelle, Richard Benjamin, Jerry Dammers, Cheryl Campbell, Bernie Taupin (75), Graham Linehan, Morrissey and - erm - Katie Price, it would have been the birthday today of Mr Kenny Ball [his 95th, indeed]!

I have always been a fan of "trad jazz", of which Mr Ball (with his Jazzmen) was a master - so what better excuse to feature some highlights from his long career?

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - Someday (You’ll be Sorry)

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - King of the Swingers (I Wanna Be like You)

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - Midnight In Moscow

Pure class!

Kenneth Daniel "Kenny" Ball (22nd May 1930 – 7th March 2013)

Peter and the hep-cats

Groan. Back to working-from-home time is upon us.

To ease our weary carcasses into this delightful situation, I think a little "classical" music is in order.

How about a little Prokofiev..?

Clyde Valley Stompers - Peter and the Wolf

...or a bit of Mozart?

Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen - Rondo

Ah, that's better...

Ball, released

Adieu Kenny Ball, who died today, aged 82.

To me, as a child, he was jazz, and he always seemed a decent chap. He would have celebrated 55 years in the business in 2013, and had planned to appear on stage alongside his son (who has fronted the Jazzmen in his father's place of late) in concert.

A sad loss.

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now

RIP

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen official site