Local jazz singer and betting man, Joe Lee Wilson, died last Sunday. He had lived in Kemp Town for many years moving from a large house over looking Brighton College playing fields to a flat nearby with a lift. I first heard him sing in a party in a basement flat in Sussex Square in 1970’s and the soaring melodious scat stayed in my mind forever.

In 2009 he had heart surgery. I bumped into him at his local bus stop and as we discussed his operation we were reminded of LBJ. He showed me his scars. He had an lovely laugh, too.

Joe Lee Wilson, jazz singer, born 22 December 1935; died 17 July 2011