Jazz Star on Recovery Road After Illness

JAZZ star Tommy Sampson is recovering after suffering a heart attack before his anniversary concert.

The 90-year-old had been expected to perform at the Queen’s Hall yesterday alongside his 16-piece band to mark his milestone birthday.

But he ended up being treated in hospital after suffering a heart attack on Saturday night.

Mr Sampson’s daughter Helle said that he had been desperate to attend the show, which still went ahead despite his absence.

She said: “It’s a great shame. Dad was very upset, with family and friends coming from as far as Norway to see him on his birthday.

“For years he’s being say that he wanted to be standing in front of a big band on his 90th.

“Music’s been his way of life all these years.”

She said he reluctantly admitted he did not feel well enough for the concert on Sunday afternoon.

Roger Spence, the Leith-based promoter of the show and co- promoter of the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, added: “It wasn’t a sell-out but the hall was very busy. The timing of Tommy’s illness was just very, very unfortunate.”

(c) 2008 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.