JAZZ lovers in Chippenham have paid homage to passionate musician Jack Pennington, who died on May 4 aged 74.

A former Jazz Society presenter and talented caricaturist Mr Pennington was well known throughout Wiltshire. Friends have noted his unfaltering devotion to jazz despite his failing health within the last year due to cancer.

A service for Mr Pennington was held at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, when the the building was packed with family and friends. Wife Pip, 72, said: "The support has been tremendous and his passing hasn't gone unnoticed by anyone.

"Jack would have been very pleased with his funeral and his friends and relatives left standing room only." Mr Pennington was born in Harlow, Essex in 1931 and moved to Wiltshire at the age of four. He discovered his love for jazz while completing his national service with the army at the age of 21.

At the height of its popularity many of Mr Pennington's fellow soldiers would mimic the great jazz musicians or create their own riffs.

It was at a dance in Bath, where jazz was much sought after, that Mr Pennington fell in love with his future wife Pip. They married and went on to have twin sons Marcus and Darren, now 44.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September and shared a Mediterranean cruise with their best man and his wife. In the 50s Jack started up the Jazz at The Ice Box series of musical events at the Spirit Vault in Chippenham.

He promoted many events in Corsham, Chippenham, Box and Melksham, which brought jazz stars from America including Corsham's 2005 jazz festival which he successfully supported despite being in poor health.

Fellow Jazz Society founder and presenter Julie Moran said: "Wherever a jazz riff could be heard in the area, Jack was there. "His devotion to the music never faltered and the decline of jazz popularity in the 70s and 80s, only served to make him more determined to maintain its presence in the county.

"He supported the Chippenham Jazz Society in all its efforts over the last 20 years and he is irreplaceable, with jazz being the poorer for his passing." His dear friend, jazz pianist John Critchison, said: "Jack was a kind promoter of jazz and a true gentleman."