Died On This Date (July 10, 2012) Lol Coxhill / English Jazz Saxophonist

By themusicsover July 10, 2012 #Champion Jack Dupree, #Django Bates, #Fred Frith, #John Peel, #Kevin AYers, #Lol Coxhill, #Lowell Fulson, #Mike Oldfield, #Rufus Thomas, #The Damned

George “Lol” Coxhill
September 19, 1932 – July 10, 2012

Lol Coxhill was a world-renowned free-improv saxophonist from Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. In 1968, legendary English disc jockey, John Peel reportedly took note of Coxhill while he was busking on London’s South Bank. That lead to gigs throughout the storied Canterbury scene of the late ’60s and ’70s. During those years, Coxhill played in such jazz rock combos as Delivery and Kevin Ayers and the Whole World. Although he ultimately made his mark as an unpredictable improv soloist, Coxhill performed more traditionally while backing up many visiting American blues and soul singers during the ’60s. That list includes Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, and Rufus Thomas. He also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mike Oldfield, Django Bates, Fred Frith, and even the Damned. Lol Coxhill was 79 when he passed away on July 10, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.