Obituary: Alan Quinn, musician, 67

Alan Quinn, a stalwart of the Edinburgh jazz scene who played in venues throughout the world, has died, aged 67.

Mr Quinn sadly died two weeks before he was due to wed fiancee Ann Fisher. His late wife Margaret passed away in 2006 bringing to an end 36 happy years of marriage.

Born in Leith in 1943, Mr Quinn attended Holy Cross Academy before studying structural engineering and was later elected a member of the Institute of Structural Engineers.

He first worked with Blyth & Blyth, followed by Ove Arup & Co and Cundall Johnston and Partners, before founding Alan Quinn and Associates.

The youngest of four brothers, Mr Quinn was taught how to tinkle the ivories by his brother Jimmy and Danny Dorian - a well-known jazz pianist.

After hearing Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band on the radio, Mr Quinn bought a trombone and resolved to learn how to play it.

Soon he was a staple of Edinburgh's burgeoning jazz scene and in 1961 began playing with Bill Salmond's Savoy Jazz Band, Jack St Clair's Band and two years later with the Climax Jazz Band.

He flexed his musical muscles again in 1967, when he taught himself to play bass guitar and became a part-time dance band musician.

In 1983, he returned to jazz, joining the ranks of Eddie Hamilton's St Stephen Street Stompers.

Midway through the decade, Mr Quinn formed the Templehall Stompers to play a weekly residency in the Templehall Hotel, Portobello.

In 1992, he joined Bill Salmond's Louisana Ragtime Band but as the new millennium approached he was in demand from a slew of other bands and added his distinctive sound to the Criterion Brass Band, the Spirits of Rhythm and the Anti-climax Jazz Band.

He was a favourite performer at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n' Jive Club and wowed audiences at many Scottish Jazz festivals as well as those in England, Switzerland, Denmark, Turkey and Australia.

His daughter Judith said: "Jazz was his huge passion and a huge part of his life. He loved playing in gigs and listening to the music. As a family we loved going along and listening to him play. We were always so proud of him."

Mr Quinn is survived by his son David and daughter Judith and three grandchildren Ella, Sophie, and Lola. His funeral will be held in Warriston Crematorium at noon.