Jimmy Hastings
Jimmy Hastings plays Flutes, Saxophones & Clarinets and is featured on Bryan Ferry's Another Time Another Place album.
Born : 1937 - Aberdeen (England)
Past Bands : Caravan [guest player], Caravan of Dreams (1991-93) + various session/live work
Infinitely creative and effortlessly professional, Jimmy Hastings' musical contributions to the Canterbury scene have been a constant source of delight for lovers of the genre ever since his flute solo on "Love Song With Flute" on the very first Caravan album, in 1968.
Originally from Aberdeen, where he was born in 1937, Jimmy Hastings has been a much respected part of the jazz scene for many years. In 1967, he spent some time in the Ken Mackintosh Orchestra, and between 1969 and 1973 was a valued member of the BBC Radio Orchestra. Over the years he has played for big names such as Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett and Humphry Littleton, and in West End productions such as 'Cats', 'A Chorus Line', 'West Side Story' and 'Starlight Express', as well as a constant flow of appearances at many famous jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the 100 Club.
Jimmy first came to prominence on the rock scene, alongside brother Pye, as the fifth member of Caravan, appearing on all their early albums (up to Blind Dog At St. Dunstan's), and occasionally on stage and at radio sessions. He continued his Canterbury connections on Hatfield and the North's The Rotters' Club (and several gigs), Soft Machine's Third and Fourth and all three National Health albums, as well as also recording with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Chris Squire (Yes). In 1986, he recorded the excellent Point Of Intersection album along with pianist John Horler.
These days Jimmy Hastings is much in demand as a freelance player, leads his own jazz quintet (featuring Horler) who have a residency at the Bull's Head in Barnes once a month, and is also kept busy teaching saxophone at the London College of Music. On top of this he is a full-time member of the reformed Caravan, playing concerts in the UK and Europe. Between 1991-93, he was also an occasional member of Richard Sinclair's Caravan Of Dreams, playing on both the Caravan Of Dreams (1992) and R.S.V.P. (1994) albums, and guesting on Todd Dillingham's Wilde Canterbury Dream (1992). He also toured with Peter Bardens and Andy Ward's all-star band Mirage in December 1994. More recently, he played, as brilliantly as ever, on Caravan's The Battle Of Hastings (1995) and All Over You (1996), on the band's UK tour of October/November 1996, and more recently at the annual Astoria gig on October 30th, 1998. Recent activities also include a European tour with the Phil Collins Big Band.