Hundreds of mourners gathered while musicians played jazz hits at the funeral of Becontree Estate born jazz king Kenny Ball.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Jazz musicians played some of Kenny's hitsJazz musicians played some of Kenny's hits (Image: Archant)

Trumpeter Kenny, born in Mayesbrook Road, died in hospital aged 82 on March 7 after suffering from pneumonia .

Barking and Dagenham Post: Jazz musicians played some of Kenny's hitsJazz musicians played some of Kenny's hits (Image: Archant)

A “New Orleans-style” funeral was held at Herongate Wood Cemetery, Billericay Road, Brentwood yesterday.

Kenny’s son Keith Ball, who is also a jazz musician, said: “It was unbelievable to see everyone there and so many people came up to me and told me it was the best funeral they had been too.

“It was the perfect send off and was a celebration like he would have wanted. We wanted it to be a funeral like you see in the films and he loved New Orleans; he was even given honorary citizenship.”

The funeral included the song Everytime You Say Goodbye and ended with Mr Ball’s best known hit, Midnight in Moscow.

Keith added: “My father was such a warm and kind-hearted man and how he would talk to anyone and was very down to earth.

“I will miss him very much.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support it has been incredible.”

Kenny leaves behind his wife Betty, who grew up in Dagenham, and three children.