A jazz musician will be honoured today with a blue plaque outside his former home.

Trombone player Jackie Free was born in March 1932 and was raised in Pearcroft Road, Leytonstone.

He became involved in music at an early age, playing trombone in the local Boys Brigade band.

In the late 1940s Mr Free started playing jazz at the Leyton Youth Club.

The band included several boys who later enjoyed successful careers with well-known British jazz bands, including the Freddie Randall and Kenny Ball bands.

After National Service from 1950 to 1952 in the Royal Air Force, Mr Free managed to play with many service bands, and for dances in the Officers’ Mess. After demob, his career continued with him appearing and playing with many top class British jazz musicians as well as visiting American stars.

Recalling Louis Armstrong's visit to London in 1956, Mr Free said: "I think we were probably the first British band to play with Louis after the Second World War.

“Playing with him was the greatest moment of my career.”

His plaque will be unveiled on September 25.

Cornetist Freddy Randall and clarinettist Dave Shepherd, both former Waltham Forest residents, are also being honoured with their own blue plaques.

Today, aged 84, Mr Free is still playing trombone and leading his own band ‘Jackie Free’s Chicagoans’.

The band performs regular monthly jazz sessions at the North Weald Village Hall.