Saxophonist and musical director Tommy Melville turned the Rhythm Station into one of the UK's top jazz clubs
The jazz tenor saxophonist Tommy Melville, who has died aged 85, was invited in 1997 to become promoter and musical director at the Rhythm Station in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, and start a jazz club. Over the next decade, my friend Tommy, leading a quartet, slowly built up the club into a nationally renowned jazz venue. A steady stream of outstanding jazz musicians appeared there, such as Bud Shank, Herb Geller, Pete and Conte Candoli, Art Farmer, Stan Tracey, Bobby Wellins, Don Weller, Don Rendell, Peter King, Dave Newton, Alan Barnes and Mark Nightingale.
Tommy was born near Oldham, Greater Manchester, and started on the piano aged six. Turning professional at 20, he got his first job with the Eric Galloway Dance Band in Margate, Kent. By this time he had switched to tenor saxophone and alto sax.
Then came a succession of jobs on the Mecca Palais and Butlins holiday camp circuits and theatre pit bands all over Britain. In 1968 he moved to Blackpool, where he worked at the Opera House for the Tower Company for 12 years, accompanying the likes of Matt Monro, Cilla Black and Ken Dodd. Later he became MD of the popular Ice Show on Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
In his late 50s, Tommy was struck with an infection that left him totally deaf in his left ear. Determined to carry on, he went into a period of intense practice lasting for about three years and it was jazz that drove him on. He was determined to develop his sense of hearing in his good ear. He said that he "came out of this period with a newfound confidence and an enhanced sense of self-expression".
In April 2007, due to continuing poor health, Tommy packed his tenor saxophone away for the last time and retired after 60 years as a professional musician. Following a final concert at the club, Tommy gave an emotional speech. The Rhythm Station was his legacy, firmly established as one of the UK's best jazz clubs.
Tommy was married twice and had three children. He is survived by Joyce, his second wife, and his daughter, Sharon, and son, Carl.
Tommy was born near Oldham, Greater Manchester, and started on the piano aged six. Turning professional at 20, he got his first job with the Eric Galloway Dance Band in Margate, Kent. By this time he had switched to tenor saxophone and alto sax.
Then came a succession of jobs on the Mecca Palais and Butlins holiday camp circuits and theatre pit bands all over Britain. In 1968 he moved to Blackpool, where he worked at the Opera House for the Tower Company for 12 years, accompanying the likes of Matt Monro, Cilla Black and Ken Dodd. Later he became MD of the popular Ice Show on Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
In his late 50s, Tommy was struck with an infection that left him totally deaf in his left ear. Determined to carry on, he went into a period of intense practice lasting for about three years and it was jazz that drove him on. He was determined to develop his sense of hearing in his good ear. He said that he "came out of this period with a newfound confidence and an enhanced sense of self-expression".
In April 2007, due to continuing poor health, Tommy packed his tenor saxophone away for the last time and retired after 60 years as a professional musician. Following a final concert at the club, Tommy gave an emotional speech. The Rhythm Station was his legacy, firmly established as one of the UK's best jazz clubs.
Tommy was married twice and had three children. He is survived by Joyce, his second wife, and his daughter, Sharon, and son, Carl.
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