I played with Tommy at the Favourite for a year or more in a band which called itself the ABCD quartet on nights when 3 of us turned up and the ABC Trio when 4 of us turned up. The lineup was me on 5-string banjo and mandolin, John Softley on guitar, John Harrison (ex-Watersons) on guitar, fiddle and anything else that came to hand. We largely played bebop.

Tommy had a remarkable technique and was amazingly inventive both with music and language. One week he announced that he would like to play Reinhardt style guitar. He bought a Macaferri copy. Three weeks later he was playing all the Grappelli/Reinhardt standards. A couple of months later he announced that he was giving it up because it was too easy. We spent many a a happy evening in the Favourite, with lock-ins and "late tastings" until the early hours.

John Softley sadly died last year. I lost touch with Tommy and I have just found this obit page.

Rest in peace Tommy. You were one of the best.

David