Tubby Hayes - A Man in a Hurry

As a film it's dull and unremarkable. It unimaginatively employs the staid documentary format of clips and interviews linked by a voice over. This might have entertained or informed if the clips had been new rather than a rehash of material readily available on the internet. Most of the people who knew Tubby are long dead now, so the makers have filled in with interviews of people who never actually heard Tubby live but nevertheless are happy to confirm he was really very good! The stars and blurb on the case hailing the film as a masterpiece say it all - at least two of the plaudits are from people who are in the film! None of them are from a film reviewer. As the film seems to be aimed at those new to Tubby I think the makers might have stretched to an information booklet, especially as the film has been made in conjunction with Proper, the label behind two excellent box sets of Tubby's music. Could not a deal have been done to reproduce the information from those sets for this DVD? Should you buy this DVD? Only if you are either a fanatical collector of all things Tubby or if you are fresh to Tubby Hayes and want an introduction to his life and work. Don't waste your money if you have any prior knowledge of Tubby. There is nothing in the film that can't be read on Wikipedia. And if you know anything about Tubby at all the film is quite annoying because of how it skims through the received wisdom about Tubby's life in a way that makes the film seem less like a documentary and more like a bullet pointed Powerpoint presentation. If you really want to know about Tubby spend another tenner and get Simon Spillett's worthy book. This casts way more light on Tubby's life and tells the story warts and all, whereas the filmmakers here make Tubby out to be some kind of likely lad genius who breezed through life until he was tragically and inexplicably cut down in his prime.

A brilliant documentary, with some great archive footage. Hayes' versatility playing flute and vibes as well as tenor is amazing. The interviews are insightful, and poignant at times, especially with Richard Hayes, who hardly new his father or indeed his status in the jazz world. For those who haven't got their copy, Simon Spillett's biography of Tubby Hayes is an absolute must next read for the full story of Tubby's life and times. The archive footage is tantalising, hopefully there is a lot more available for future release, for example from the Jazz 625 series. Plenty of scope also for a future documentary (please) about the general jazz scene from the times, and other fine players such as Joe Harriott, Jimmy Deuchar and Tommy Whittle. In the meantime, thankfully there is a reasonably substantial output of Tubby Hayes albums out there nowadays, covering most of Tubby's career.

I have just spent yesterdays extra hour totally absorbed by TUBBY HAYES-A MAN IN A HURRY. There are far too many great quotes to repeat here, but Simon Spillett-together with Tubbys saxophone in the background-gives us the life of the man as it was. It is fortunate that a documentary that some of us have waited a lifetime for has been completed with so many of Tubbys contemporaries involved. Better late than never. Spike Wells especially I found to most forthcoming, and Robert Elms quote about the drug scene really hits the spot. Simon in his closing piece stating that Tubbys death caused a gap that has never sealed over, and like the closing chapters in Simons book on Tubby, brought a tear to my eye. 11 out of 10.

Tubby Hayes: A Man In A Hurry by Mark Baxter & Lee Cogswell. I just spent an enjoyable afternoon watching this well researched, insightful and informative piece of wok about one of Britain’s great Jazz men. Excellent narration from Martin Freeman and contributions from the likes of Peter Blake, Robert Elms, Eddie Pillar, Hilary Robertson, Simon Well and Jeff Kruger, which flavoured the film nicely with varying points of views, perceptions and experiences of Hayes and his music. And to echo Paul Weller’s words choice of word ‘respectfully’ done, yes, Bax and Lee have produced something that drips with it. A very BIG tick indeed-well done chaps.

A long awaited light being shone on the London legend and original Jazz modernist Tubby Hayes , a labour of love from the writer and producer Mark Baxter and directed superbly by Lee Cogswell, not just for the jazz fan this documentary it is for anyone that likes music, from being a child prodigy to an untimely death at an early age , Tubby Hayes was ' A Man in a Hurry ' but packed so much music into one short life that this documentary is a fitting tribute to a talent whose music will endure .

Having only heard of Tubby Hayes through one of the producers of this film this was a purchase that had to be made. Its an educational and entertaining film. Its narrated by Martin Freeman who does a great job and doesn't talk over any of the music. Anything that makes you go out and check someone's work music wise is excellent.Do yourself a favour and buy this DVD even if your dont think you like Jazz.....by the end of the Doc you will love both the man and his music.....

Great music from a young musician who died too young

I knew very little about Tubby Hayes, he died the day before my ninth birthday so why should I? Well the answer is in this nugget from Messrs Baxter and Cogswell who have combined to tell the story of a true giant of his profession but sadly also, an almost forgotten man of British music.This documentary has been beautifully put together and in doing so the makers have brought back to life, albeit briefly, a man who to mis-quote Gunter Grass, ‘played the tenor-sax too beautifully for words’.