Like many of you who knew Keith Tippett well, I am heartbroken. He was like a Father to me at royal welsh college of music and drama. He was more than just my jazz piano and composition tutor, he was my dear friend (Many from that 95 - 99 college era will be feeling the same ) . He always put people and community first and that approach shone through his music like nothing else. The dynamics and expressions truly came alive in the room every rehearsal and gig. It was something special and you really felt it. I wrote my dissertation on him and to this day I remember how thrilled he and his Dad were at receiving copies of it. The man inspired so many and the impact he has on many inspirational musicians over a 50 year period is incredible. He was a ‘sweetheart’ (as he would say of those who were genuine and kind hearted), my life was made so much better with him in it as a student and I will forever treasure those many brilliant moments. My thoughts are with Julie and the whole wonderful family. As Inca his daughter once said “Mujician”. Magical and musical wrapped in one.
Gareth Smith (drums for the college band when I was there) has written everything in here () that we could possibly want to say. It’s a bang on account. Our Fridays, going to Keith’s own shows, and that memorable day we (the large college ensemble) had in Bath playing in front of 10000 plus people including Deri (trombone) and I (French horn) doing a duo in ‘Dancing Damon’. Not forgetting Keith telling me “oh Luke I nearly forgot to say, you’re the tour manager for the day” after our penultimate rehearsal in the college bar..I choked on my cider. We all laughed. 😂 that was keith. It was gravy boobey.
We owe so much to him. RIP my good friend X