Dad was born in York to Policeman Fred (John) and Edith Hirst. He had one brother Bill. At 9 years old he took up Piano and dedicated his life to the art of Jazz, becoming a local legend and performing in York and beyond for over 50 years. He was a very modest man and a true gentleman. When he passed away his epitaph read. "When a Jazzman testifies, a faithless man believes".