Mose Allison, a touchstone for both modern jazz and blues and Delta blues, has died aged 89 – and Bill has paid tribute to the pianist, singer and songwriter.

Bill says:

I first met Mose in January 1966 performing at Annie’s Room Jazz Club here in London. After his show he sat with me and we chatted for a good 30 minutes and he was wonderful. I have seen him on many occasions since and his lyrics are amazing.

Since then he has been one of my very favourite musicians, and if I had to take a record to a desert island it would be an album of his.He was a huge influence on my great friend Georgie Fame.

Bill requested that the video – NEA Jazz Masters: Tribute to Mose Allison – be shown below: