Tribute to Larry Hingerton: A Mayo musical legend

by Auld Stock

LARRY Hingerton, Westport, whose death took place recently, was a musical legend in the west of Ireland.

A native of Ballinrobe, he began his musical career with the local brass band alongside the great Jack Power, a fine sax player.

A hairdresser by profession, in later life Larry moved to Westport, where he joined the town band, led at that time by the famous Peter McConville.

Larry Hingerton was a professional in every sense of the word and could read sheet music as easily as I can read The Connaught Telegraph.

Jazz was Larry’s first musical love and he strung together a group of like-minded musicians.

This was a time long before twanging guitars came on the scene and singers began strutting the stage with country and western accents.

Amongst Larry’s contemporaries at the time were Willie Keane, Castlebar, trumpeter; Jack Ruane, Ballina, saxophone; Seánie Gavin, Castlebar, saxophone; Tony Chambers, Newport, saxophone, whose band provided the music for 'The Ballroom of Romance'; Brose Walsh, Belcarra, saxophone; and Dick Gillespie, trumpet and drums.

There was nothing Larry liked better than a jazz session with his fellow musicians who could romp their way through songs made famous by Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie and Harry James, all world-famous jazzmen. You could spot the gleam in Larry Hingerton’s eyes when he swung into action.

Apart from his love for music, Larry Hingerton was a quiet, unassuming man with a winning smile.

Sympathy to his wife Valerie and family. They all have lost a true friend.