Al Timothy

Albon "Al" Timothy (5 July 1915, Trinidad - 8 December 2000, London) [1] was a Trinidad and Tobago jazz and calypso musician and songwriter who played numerous instruments but was best known for his tenor saxophone playing. His most successful hit was Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me, written with Michael Julien, which reached number 3 in 1959[2] in the charts sung by Shirley Bassey.

Al Timothy
Birth nameAlbon Timothy
Also known as"Mr Excitement Himself", "King Timothy", "Timothy Otis"
Born(1915-07-05)5 July 1915
OriginRadix, Trinidad
Died8 December 2000(2000-12-08) (aged 85)
GenresBebop, calypso, rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader, songwriter
InstrumentsTenor saxophone, piano, double bass, vocals

Background

Timothy started playing the flute aged 8 years. His father was a musician and instrument maker and encouraged his progress. While working as a tailor he taught himself double bass and saxophone.

He then married Alice Gachette, a business woman and seamstress, and they had a daughter called Lisa Mary Jocelyn Timothy (who became a top international model called 'Schultzi').

Timothy arrived in London from Trinidad in 1948.[3]

Career

Timothy accompanied the calypso artist Lord Kitchener and was bandleader Cab Kaye's featured saxophone soloist. He was also greatly involved in the emerging bebop scene in London. Here he met the famous American jazz patron and Rothschild heiress, Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, when sharing a bill with pianist Teddy Wilson. When she opened the refurbished Studio 51, London's leading modern jazz venue, he became resident bandleader - Al Timothy and his All-Stars.[4]

He co-led the Timwu-Kee Sextet with Singaporean pianist David Wu and trumpeter Shake Keane at the Celebrity restaurant in Mayfair, a venue which became famous and hosted a broadcast of BBC radio’s popular Two-Way Family Favourites. Timothy also appeared on British television’s ground-breaking teen music programme, Oh Boy! (TV series). His connection with De Koenigswarter brought him to New York in 1956, where she opened doors to the saxophonist, and introduced him to pianist Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins and Ernie Henry[5]

On return to England he continued to work as a band leader/saxophonist and songwriter, successes included Football Football and That's What Love Does For You recorded by Edmundo Ros & David Essex. He also enjoyed success as a very talented and entertaining Cabaret Act during the 1970’s and 1980’s performing at many well known Night clubs and popular late night venues such as The Barn at Braintree Essex.

Later Years

Al Timothy died in 2000 following complications of a stroke in 1999.

He was survived by his 4 children Michael Timothy (keyboards, Hugh Masekela, Boy George, Massive Attack) Nicholas, Adrian and daughter Maria McAteer[6] (singer/songwriter, actress/playwright). As well as his granddaughter Zee Gachette (daughter of Lisa Timothy), artist and producer of Z-STAR, Z-STAR DELTA and SLOWTRAINSOUL.

References
  1. The Scotsman, The Last Post, 2000
  2. The chart archive 1959-02-07(Link redirected to OCC website)
  3. Wilmer, Val, "Al Timothy - Energetic jazz all-rounder whose song was a hit for Shirley Bassey", The Guardian, 13 December 2000
  4. Rotschild, Hannah. The Baroness. Hachette Digital, 2012, p. 139.
  5. De Koenigswarter, Pannonica. Three Wishes - An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats. Harry N. Abrams, inc. 2008, p. 304-305.
  6. Wisechild, Hope "Maria McAteer’s Brighton Boy video released on Wednesday 18 April 2012" Archived 19 April 2013 at Archive.today Brighton And Hove Free Press, 2012
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