Lennie Hastings

Who was Lennie Hastings?

Leonard "Lennie" Hastings was an English jazz drummer.

Hastings played in military bands during World War II, then played with Freddy Randall and Alex Welsh. Following these engagements Hastings played in local combos and led an ensemble in Düsseldorf, then played with Nat Gonella briefly before rejoining Welsh. He was Welsh's drummer for well over a decade, during which time he also recorded with Earl Hines, Rex Stewart, Eddie Davis, Ben Webster, and Bill Coleman.

In 1972 he left Welsh's group due to failing health and formed his own band. Personnel at the start was Nick Stevenson, Ron Brown, Malcolm Everson, Martin Taylor, Jamie Evans and Peter Skivington but the effort of running a band proved a little too much for him and, despite an encouraging reception from audiences, the band petered out after eight or nine months.

He would record later in the decade with Brian Lemon, Stan Greig, Dave Shepherd, and Fred Hunt. He played at the Pizza Express, a London club, in his later years, and toured with Wild Bill Davison and Ruby Braff. He led his own quartet shortly before his death.