Hundreds celebrate life of respected jazz musician

Jeremy Huggett performed at famous Bristol jazz pub, The Old Duke, every fortnight

A New Orleans-style funeral has been held for a respected jazz musician "taken much too soon".

Hundreds of people joined a marching band and a colourful umbrella parade to celebrate the life of Jeremy Huggett, who died in September at the age of 57.

Mr Huggett enjoyed a long association with Bristol's famous jazz pub, The Old Duke, collecting glasses from the age of nine and performing there every fortnight for many years.

Friends, family and fellow musicians said his death was a "great loss for the jazz world".

Maria Huggett said the day was a celebration of her husband's life and music

Mr Huggett's wife, Maria, said: "It's not mournful, a jazz funeral, it's happy and a celebration.

"It's a celebration of his life. Taken much too soon."

Carol Coombes, who worked with the late musician in his role as president of the Bristol Jazz Society, said she had been a fan of his for a long time.

"We went to see Band of Gold and it was Jeremy Huggett and it was in the 90s and we thought 'wow'," she said.

Friend and band member Howard Williams said Mr Huggett was "very well known in the jazz scene".

"He was an extremely good musician and very well respected," he added.

Howard Williams said Mr Huggett's death was a "great loss for the jazz world"

Mr Huggett made many special connections through music, and played at funeral director Ryan Squires' wedding.

"It was a pleasure to have him there with us then and it's a pleasure, but a sad privilege, to be with him now," he said.

"He was with us on the start of our journey and we're with him sadly at the end of his."

Mr Huggett's family plan to set up a foundation in his name to support young musicians trying to break into the industry.

A New Orleans-style jazz funeral was held on Tuesday