Tributes were today paid to renowned jazz musician Michael Turner, who has died following a four-month battle with bowel cancer.

The 63-year-old was born in Birmingham but grew up in Regent Street, Willenhall, and performed at The Trumpet pub in Bilston at least once a week. The father of two, who lived in Lichfield, was a favourite on the jazz circuit in the Midlands for more than three decades.

He also toured the world playing at music festivals in places such as Guernsey and Gran Canaria, Spain.

His wife, Monika, today remembered her husband as a devoted jazz musician who taught himself to play instruments, including the clarinet.

“He loved playing his music,” she said.

“He was very talented and always learning new things. He started playing jazz in his teens and took early retirement about 11 years ago to concentrate solely on his music.

“It was great for him. He devoted all his time to music and learning new things.”

Mel Hill, who played in the Old Fashioned Love Band with Mr Turner and knew him for 30 years, said today: “He was a very intelligent guy and a much-loved man.

“I started playing jazz with him about 30 years ago, but I was aware of him on the scene before that.

“We played in various bands together and used to travel to festivals all over the world so I spent quite a lot of time with him.

“Lots of jazz musicians knew of him and he had an international reputation.”

Mr Turner completed a French degree at King’s College, London. He spent his working life teaching French to students at Abbot Beyne School, in Burton upon Trent

“He had an excellent French accent,” said Mrs Turner, aged 62.

“Whenever we travelled to the country people always thought he was French.

“He even used to sing some of his songs in French which was a bit different.”

Mr Turner leaves two daughters – Katharine, aged 35, and Isabelle, 32. He died at Queen’s Hospital in Burton upon Trent.

His funeral is being held at Bushbury Crematorium, Wolverhampton, on Friday at 10am and will be followed by a day of live jazz at The Trumpet pub.