The final known live recording of the Tubby Hayes Quartet is to be released in November.

Invitation: Live at the Top Alex 1973 out on Acrobat records is drawn from a Southend pub gig recorded in March 1973 and just three months before the saxophonist’s death at just 38.

The CD release includes photos taken at the venue plus notes by Hayes biographer Simon Spillett who comments: “This was one of the last gigs performed by Tubby’s ‘classic’ late quartet, which played together on only a handful of gigs that year. Not only that, it is currently thought to be the last ever recording of Tubby leading his own group. After March 1973, there were a few radio broadcasts in bands led by others but that was it. The music reflects both his past and his present and gives some clues as to where he may have headed next. It’s literally the final stop on his musical journey.”