Popular musician and teacher Douglas Frith passed away this weekend at the age of 81.

Born in London, Mr Frith performed with star artists including Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck before coming to Bermuda in 1967.

While on the Island he continued to perform, acting as the bandleader for Geraldos London Orchestra at the Bermudiana Hotel, the bandleader and entertainment director at Castle Harbour Hotel and playing at the Southampton Princess with Ghandi Burgess.

Mr Frith was also a founding member of the Shinbone Alley Cats, played with the Somers Isles Jazz Band, the Tom Ray Band, the Tony Bari Band and frequently performed in the pit for BMDS and Gilbert and Sullivan Society musicals.

He also worked to pass his love of music on to others, teaching clarinet, sax, flute and other instruments at the Jackson School of Music for 32 years.

His son, Daniel Frith, is also a musician, performing under the name “Uzimon”.

Kate Ross, a long-time friend of Mr Frith, said she first met him in 1983 while he was teaching music and went on to perform with him on many occasions at City Hall.

“I loved hearing him play,” she said. “He had that great gift of managing to communicate through music — tearing at your heartstrings one moment and having you up on the floor dancing the next.

“He had a cheeky sense of humour and loved a laugh, and I have great memories of making music with him and doing the cryptic crossword in-between numbers. Whenever I was asked to be musical director of one of the shows, Dougie was number one on my list of must-have players, and he supported me in every show both at school and in the community for as long as he was healthy enough to do so.”

She said Mr Frith was a man of boundless energy who was always busy teaching and performing when not spending time with his family.

“His love for them was clear for all to see and his joy when telling me of their activities and achievements was infectious,” she said. “He was a wonderful friend and mentor not only to me, but to myriad musicians and aspiring musicians in Bermuda. I will miss him dearly but feel the richer for having had the privilege to call him my friend.”

Wendell (Shine) Hayward expressed his condolences on Facebook, writing: “Thank you for the support over so many years. A great musician, teacher and friend.”

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and children, Daniel and Jessica.