A prominent figure in the London jazz scene has died.
Cheam man Jim Haswell, who drummed with a number of jazz bands over the years but died aged 86 following an illness on December 23.
Mr Haswell meeting jazz legend louis Armstrong at a concert
His wife, Frances Jean, 69, described him as a "lovely guy" and paid tribute to staff at St Raphael's Hospice in North Cheam where he received care until he died.
She said: "He's been ill for the last five or six years, he had bone marrow cancer and I looked after him but he was always happy playing his jazz.
"He's such a lovely guy and everyone in jazz circles around here knows who he is because he did so much.
"Years ago he was a real celebrity on the jazz scene. He used to play with bands and manage them.
"It was only recently that he had to stay in St Raphael's but before then they did respite care for me.
"I can't say enough about how wonderful they are there. They let me stay in his room and our dog, Sophie, as well.
"The staff were just fantastic, they would just say 'hello Sophie' when they saw her. They made us feel really at home."
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