- He started out playing the accordion. He took up piano and joined the Ted Heath dance band. He was house pianist at Ronnie Scott's jazz club for six years.
- Awarded the OBE and CBE.
- Performed with ENSA in 1943, at the age of 16. Took up playing piano the following year, inspired by Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons.
- Served in the RAF.
- Jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He was the resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's Club, 1959-66.
- Set up his own label, Steam Records, in 1975.
- Became a musician at age 16. He played the accordion.
- He was a prominent jazz pianist. He was also a prolific composer, writing music for big bands and smaller ensembles. He encouraged British jazz musicians to move away from covering American jazz works, and to develop their own original material.
- He is survived by two children. His son Clark, a percussionist himself.
- He received the first Ivor Novello award for jazz in 2012. He was awarded an OBE in 1986 and a CBE in 2008.
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