Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Tributes as jazz sax hero Gay dies at 88
Musician hailed as one of the greats
TRIBUTES have been paid to legendary jazz musician Gay Mcintyre, who died yesterday aged 88.
The acclaimed saxophonist and clarinettist enjoyed a 70-year career and played with greats such as Nat King Cole, Humphrey Lyttleton, Kenny Ball, Louis Stewart and Acker Bilk.
Born in Ballybofey, Co Donegal in April 1933, and christened George Albert, Gay began to play music in his mid-teens when his family moved to Derry.
His introduction to jazz came from his father Willie, when his band played in the Corinthian ballroom during World War II.
Gay’s first professional job came when he was just 14.
Over the years he had a long affiliation with the City of Derry Jazz Festival, always making time to play to his beloved local audiences. He died at home in Derry with his family by his side.
Fellow Derry music legend Phil Coulter tweeted: “He was a virtuoso musician, a jazz icon and my friend for 60 years. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Graham Warke, said: “I think it was that sheer passion for the music itself, not the fame associated with it, which made him such a likeable person.
“He was a legend in his own right, and we are so lucky to have such a long association with him through the City of Derry Jazz Festival over the decades.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood added: “Gay was also a fantastic ambassador for this area.
“He toured the world and played with some of the biggest names in Jazz music, but never forgot his roots or his home in Derry.
“Our city’s Jazz Festival, at which Gay was a regular performer, will continue o as a testament to his memory and the influence he had.”
At next year’s Festival, the outdoor stage in Guildhall Square will be named in his honour and the opening event l will be known as the Gay Mcintyre and Local Legends of Jazz.
He was a virtuoso, an icon and my friend for 60 years PHIL COULTER TWITTER YESTERDAY