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Gemini Lagna

Lyttelton Humphrey

Remembering (Apr 25, 2008)

May 23, 1921 · Windsor, England
1views
Moon Sign
Scorpio
Sun Sign
Taurus
Ascendant
Gemini
Nakshatra
Jyeshtha
Birth Star
EntertainmentEntertain/MusicMilitaryDivorceeLife Path 5Destiny Number 9Soul Number 5Personality Number 4
Biography

Who is Lyttelton Humphrey?

British musician, a jazz trumpeter and band leader. In the last 36 years of his life, Lyttelton was known for his sharp dry wit (sometimes risque at a time when risque humor was rarely heard) and his sense of comic timing on the zany radio program, "Im sorry I Havent a Clue." Lytteltons father was a teacher at Eton College; rather than following his dad into academia, he followed his love for jazz. A private person, he took great pains to keep personal details quiet. His obituary reported that he only told three stories about himself: the first story detailed his experience playing hookey at school. The other two were about his experiences in WWII, but were tinged with humor in the telling. In 1948 he married Patricia Braithwaite; the union ended in divorce after producing one daughter. His 1952 marriage to Jill Richardson ended with her death in 2006. They had three children together. He died in late April 25, 2008 in England.
Latest Info

Latest Updates

Update at: Apr 2, 2026

Lyttelton Humphrey (Humphrey Lyttelton)

Born: 23 May 1921, Windsor, United Kingdom

Died: 25 April 2008

Overview

Humphrey Lyttelton, frequently listed in surname-first order as Lyttelton Humphrey, was a prominent English jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer and broadcaster. His long career helped shape British jazz in the postwar era, and he became a well‑known voice in British radio and live music circles. His work combined crisp swing with witty improvisation, earning him a lasting place in UK jazz history.

Career highlights

  • Founded and led the Humphrey Lyttelton Jazz Band, contributing to the revival and persistence of interest in traditional and modern jazz forms in Britain.
  • Made numerous recordings with British jazz musicians and ensembles, helping to elevate the profile of UK jazz on a global scale.
  • Longstanding broadcaster, most famously as the host and regular presence on BBC Radio 4’s audience favorite panel show I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, starting from the show’s early years in the 1970s.

News, obituaries and public reception

Upon his passing in 2008, major outlets published obituaries highlighting his influence as a musician and broadcaster. Coverage appeared in BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph and other outlets, reflecting on his contributions to jazz performance, composition and the culture of British radio.

Legacy and influence

Lyttelton’s warm tone, humor, and inventive swing helped mentor generations of British jazz players and broadcasters. His multi‑decade presence in clubs, concert halls and on the airwaves cemented a model for presenting jazz with accessibility and wit, while his leadership of a long‑running ensemble showcased a durable, collaborative approach to jazz performance.

Social media and online presence

There are no official personal social media accounts for Humphrey Lyttelton, reflecting his passing in 2008. Interest remains through established biographies, archived broadcasts, and reputable obituary collections. Public engagement today typically occurs via Wikipedia entries, museum or archive pages, and media retrospectives.

Recent projects and tributes

Since his era of activity, individuals and institutions have presented tributes and archival releases that celebrate his contributions to jazz and radio. These include retrospective programs, liner-note essays, and festival tributes by fellow musicians who continue to draw inspiration from his recordings and broadcast work.

Which Raj Yogas are in Lyttelton Humphrey's birth chart?

2 FOUND

Lyttelton Humphrey's chart shows 2 Raj Yogas, including Gaja Kesari Yoga, Chandra-Mangala Yoga.

Planetary Combinations

Which dasha periods did Lyttelton Humphrey live through?

VIMSHOTTARI

Vimshottari dasha periods recorded for Lyttelton Humphrey, in order.

PREVIOUSAug 28, 2025 - Jan 15, 2026
Saturn / Rahu / Jupiter

What do Lyttelton Humphrey's numerology numbers say?

Lyttelton Humphrey's core numbers are Life Path 5, Destiny 9, Soul Urge 5, Personality 4, Kabbalah Number 5, Birth 5.

Life Path
5

Chaldean Life Path 5 is Mercury-driven—change, movement, and adaptability. It indicates growth through travel, variety, communication, and flexibility.

Destiny
9

Chaldean Destiny 9 indicates humanitarian expression and completion energy. It supports service, mentoring, and influence through compassion and higher ideals.

Soul Urge
5

Chaldean Soul 5 desires freedom and variety. It seeks change, movement, experiences, and space to explore life.

Personality
4

Chaldean Personality 4 appears practical, reliable, and disciplined. Others often see consistency, structure, and hard work.

Kabbalah Number
5

Kabbalah Number 5 reflects an inner spiritual code of change and freedom. It supports adaptability, exploration, and growth through experience.

Birth
5

Explore Birth Number 5 in Vedic astrology: personality traits, career paths, and lucky indicators for adaptable, freedom-loving individuals seeking destiny clues.

Life Events & Planetary Transits

Key events mapped against the active Dasha and planetary transits at the time.

1948
Relationship
Marriage 1948 (Patricia Braithwaite)
1952
Relationship
Marriage 1952 (Jill Richardson)
2006
Death
Death of Mate 2006 (Richardson)
2008
Death
Death, Cause unspecified 25 April 2008 (Age 86)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this profile's Vedic astrology, birth chart, and numerology — answered by our astrologers.

Which yogas in Humphrey Lyttelton's birth chart explain his remarkable rise to fame as a musician?

Humphrey Lyttelton's chart carries two powerful yogas that illuminate his celebrated career. Gaja Kesari Yoga, formed by Jupiter's relationship with the Moon, bestows lasting public recognition and intellectual distinction. Chandra-Mangala Yoga adds drive, charisma, and the ability to turn creative passion into livelihood. Together with a Gemini Ascendant sharpening his communicative gifts, these placements made him a beloved and enduring figure in British jazz and broadcasting.

What are Humphrey Lyttelton's core personality strengths according to his Vedic birth chart?

Humphrey Lyttelton's Gemini Ascendant gifted him with quick wit, versatility, and an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences across jazz, broadcasting, and writing. His Scorpio Moon added emotional depth, resilience, and an investigative mind beneath the genial surface. The military background in his life story also reflects the disciplined, purposeful side of his chart, and his remarkably long life of 86 years aligns with the chart's strong vitality indicators.

What does Humphrey Lyttelton's Janma Rashi, or Vedic Moon sign, reveal about his inner world?

Humphrey Lyttelton's Janma Rashi is Scorpio, known in Vedic astrology as Vrishchika. This Moon sign bestows intense emotional depth, sharp perceptive instincts, and an unshakeable inner resilience. Scorpio Moon individuals often channel their feelings into creative or investigative pursuits rather than open expression. For Humphrey Lyttelton, this placement likely fuelled the passionate authenticity that defined his trumpet playing and the dry, penetrating humour audiences adored on programmes like I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

Is Humphrey Lyttelton truly a Gemini by Western zodiac, and what does that sign say about him?

Yes, Humphrey Lyttelton was born on 23 May 1921, firmly placing him under Gemini in the Western tropical zodiac. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, wit, and versatility, which explains his rare ability to excel simultaneously as a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, cartoonist, author, and broadcaster. His Gemini Ascendant in the Vedic chart reinforces this mercurial energy, making communication and creative range the twin pillars of his public identity.

Where and when was Humphrey Lyttelton born?

Humphrey Lyttelton was born on 23 May 1921 in Windsor, United Kingdom. Windsor, situated in the shadow of the royal castle, gave him an aristocratic backdrop that contrasted delightfully with his lifelong championing of jazz, a music then considered rebellious in Britain. Astrologically, a May birth places the Sun in Taurus in the Vedic sidereal system, grounding his artistic temperament with patience, persistence, and a deep sensory appreciation for music.

How does Humphrey Lyttelton's Life Path number 5 reflect the way he lived and worked?

Humphrey Lyttelton's Life Path number 5 in numerology is the number of freedom, adventure, and restless curiosity, a perfect signature for a man who refused to be confined to one art form. Life Path 5 individuals thrive on variety, reinvention, and connecting with the public across multiple channels, which mirrors his journey from Eton-educated soldier to pioneering jazz musician, satirical broadcaster, and author. His Soul Number also being 5 deepens this drive for expressive liberty at the very core of his identity.

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