By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 05:33, Friday, 27 June 2008

JAZZ musicians gathered this week in Carlisle for the funeral of Jim Chambers – a man “who gave the city some of its finest hours of jazz”.

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Trombone player Mr Chambers, 78, died at his home earlier this month.

And one of his true great loves – jazz – was brought to life by a band at his funeral at Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church on Warwick Road in Carlisle.

Mr Chambers, who dedicated his life to music, was chosen as the first president of Carlisle Jazz Club in 2005.

In the sixties, he booked such legendary musicians as Humphrey Lyttelton, Alex Welsh, Acker Bilk and Terry Lightfoot, as well as Americans Wild Bill Davidson, Ruby Braff and Henry Red Allen. They all played at the Pheasant Inn in Caldewgate.

Mr Chambers also had his own band, the Black Tulips and later joined Les Bull in his Kaycee Band.

Friend, Vernon Addison, said: “It was a very nice funeral service and the band played twice.

“Jim had been ill for a while and he stopped playing a while ago but still did a lot of organising.”

John Barnes, one of the top saxophonists in Europe, travelled from London to playd with Bruce Canarfi of Kendal, Les Bull and the Harrison brothers.”

Mr Chambers leaves his wife Catherine.

Donations received at his funeral on Monday are being given to the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

First published at 05:28, Friday, 20 June 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk