Jazz trumpeter tells of ‘special feeling’ at MBE honour
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Jazz musician Dr Linley Hamilton has told of the “special feeling” of being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours. The veteran trumpet player has been a staple of the music scene in Northern Ireland for decades while also forging a career as a university lecturer and broadcaster.
He is recognised for services to the music industry in Northern Ireland. The 59-year-old said he was shocked when he received the letter informing him of the honour. He said: “I am very, very grateful because I know these things happen because people have put you forward because they think you have made a difference to their careers and lives.
“I guess, although I’m known as a performer, I’ve had a diverse career over 40 years. I guess I’ve touched different aspects of the community in that time, so I’m just very grateful. “It is an honour not just for me, but also for anybody I’ve worked with and people that I still mentor now.”.
Looking back over his career, he said: “I’ve been a performer for decades, I’ve a number of albums out. “I was involved in setting up a youth music charity for about 14 years. “I was involved in an agency which allowed original artists to form cover bands to finance their original career.
“Those are probably some of the big things and then obviously my impact with the jazz career from my connections with the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra, and this very long jazz career which has taken me everywhere.”. Mr Hamilton, who lectures at Ulster University, said it is important to him to help the next generation of young musicians coming out of Northern Ireland.
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