In our thoughts this week once again is Tony Hall, the record producer, artist manager, and writer who died back in June aged 91. Tony’s executor Simon Nixon and Jon Newey, editor-in-chief of Jazzwise are presenting a special invitational evening upstairs in Ronnie's next Wednesday to celebrate Tony's life, work, and to share memories.

Jon writes: ''Ronnie Scott’s was one of Tony’s favourite clubs right back from the days when it opened in Gerrard Street in 1959. This autumn the club celebrates its 60th anniversary, and it is fitting that we should raise a glass to Tony within its hallowed walls. We shall also be presenting the club with a very rare set of LPs from the Tony Hall Archives. The Ronnie Scott Club Volumes 1-4 were recorded for the historic Esquire label in 1953-54, and eagled-eyed observers will note that this is good five years before the club actually opened. Perhaps with a premonition that Ronnie would open a club someday, the BBC recorded Ronnie’s Band at the Criterion and the Paris Theatre creating a live club ambience for broadcast on the BBC World Service. As one of the comperes of the BBC Jazz Club at this time Tony was involved with the recording and would have been most proud to see this special set brought home to the place it now belongs.''

Sounds like a great tribute to a much loved and very respected man whose spirit lives on and whose place in jazz history in the UK is indelibly preserved and widely recognised. SG

Tony Hall and Dizzy Reece in 1956, pictured.