The death has occurred in Britain of renowned drummer, composer, arranger and recording artist Allan Ganley who, for nine years in the 1960s and 1970s, was a member of the Joe Wylie Orchestra in Bermuda.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette, Mr Wylie said he had maintained a close friendship with his former drummer and musical arranger in the intervening years, and spoke to him just three weeks before his sudden death.

"Allan was doing a sold-out concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London with Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, and it was probably one of his last performances. He sounded fine, and I had a long chat with him. I have since spoken to his wife, and I understand he was playing golf and didn't feel too well."

Recalling their Bermuda association, the former band leader said: "When Allan was with me, he was one of my musical arrangers.

"He wrote the musical library for the Joe Wylie Orchestra, the band I had at the Hamilton Princess. He was an excellent musician and friend, and we kept in touch.

"He had a musician's sense of humour, which tends to be very different. He was a very funny man."

Recalling his orchestra's heyday, when it accompanied many big name entertainers who performed at the hotel, Mr. Wylie said Mr. Ganley's talents as a drummer were "very important" to him because he had to adapt quickly to the demands of each artist.

"We rehearsed on Monday, and the show opened Monday night, so you had to be pretty good."

Before and after his time in Bermuda, Mr. Ganley enjoyed a stellar career as a jazz musician, playing in bands and groups led by such giants as Jack Parnell, Johnny Dankworth, Ronnie Scott, Kenny Baker and Tubby Hayes.

He also worked with American saxophonist Scott Hamilton, pianist Brian Lemon and singer Elaine Delmar, among many other artists.

His flexible approach allowed him to fit easily into most musical genres.

Known as "a drummer who combined rhythmic drive with delicacy of touch", Mr. Ganley was a highly prized accompanist, particularly by singers.

In mid-career, he also became a composer and arranger.

In fact, it was during his Bermuda sojourn that the jazz musician took time off to study composition and orchestration at Boston's Berklee School of Music, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Named 'Composer of the Year' in the 1990 Jazz Awards, Mr. Ganley's work was regularly played on BBC Radio Big Band, the Dankworth Generation Band, and others.

He was also a frequent winner of the 'Best Percussionist' award. Later, he added songwriting to his repertoire in partnership with writer Benny Green under the name 'Gan Green'.

As a member of the elite corps of studio musicians, Mr. Ganley worked with such greats as Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle and Robert Farnon, to name a few, and can be heard on a remarkable set of duets recorded by Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli.

Mr. Ganley was 77 at the time of his death on March 29. Married twice, he is survived by his second wife June, and their daughter.