Funeral date for Midland jazz legend Andy Hamilton

The funeral of acclaimed Midland jazz legend Andy Hamilton will be held on Tuesday. The popular veteran saxophonist, who founded the Bearwood Corks Club, died on June 3 aged 94.

Mr Hamilton was a regular at Bearwood Corks Club and often took to the stage at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

He played at events including the Bafta awards and the South African Jazz Festival and in 2008.

Mr Hamilton, who leaves wife Mary, received an MBE for services to music in Birmingham.

His funeral will be held at 10am on June 26 at the Birmingham Christian Centre.

The Hamilton family invite attendees to wear colourful accessories to the funeral, in honour of Andy's love of wearing colourful ties. Then at 2.30pm there will be a celebration of his life at Symphony Hall.

The afternoon event will feature a number of performances and tributes from musicians and friends including the Notebenders Big Band, the Blue Notes and Winston Clifford, and will be compered by Express & Star columnist Professor Carl Chinn.

Admission is free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.