He started out playing the accordion. He took up piano and joined the Ted Heath dance band. He was house pianist at Ronnie Scott's jazz club for six years.
Awarded the OBE and CBE.
Performed with ENSA in 1943, at the age of 16. Took up playing piano the following year, inspired by Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons.
Served in the RAF.
Jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He was the resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's Club, 1959-66.
Set up his own label, Steam Records, in 1975.
Became a musician at age 16. He played the accordion.
He was a prominent jazz pianist. He was also a prolific composer, writing music for big bands and smaller ensembles. He encouraged British jazz musicians to move away from covering American jazz works, and to develop their own original material.
He is survived by two children. His son Clark, a percussionist himself.
He received the first Ivor Novello award for jazz in 2012. He was awarded an OBE in 1986 and a CBE in 2008.