NOT everyone can boast they have been hugged by Louis Armstrong – even fewer while “Satchmo” was wearing a dressing gown – but Kenny Ball regards this as one of the highlights of his career.

The English jazz trumpet legend played with Louis in 1969.

“It was his last concert tour,” Kenny remembers.

“He would stand and listen to us in his night-robe, and once he announced to everyone, ‘This man’s a genius!’ before hugging me. ”

Indeed others have named Kenny “the most successful jazz trumpet player this side of the Atlantic” and he has flown the flag for his particular brand of trad jazz all over the world for half a century.

It was back in 1960 that Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen had their first chart hit, with Samantha.

Then hit after hit came rolling in, including Midnight in Moscow, which reached number two in both the American and British singles charts.

The band totalled 14 top 30 records, a number that even eclipsed Louis Armstrong’s achievements, and something which has never been equalled by any other jazz artist.

Looking back at his long career – he celebrates 50 years in the business this year – Kenny can pick out a number of highlights.

“Reaching a million record sales was good,” says the jovial 78-year-old.

“I also loved being on The Morecambe and Wise Show, which really boosted our profile for four years.

“We would come on and Eric would say, ‘Oh blooming hell. Not him again’.”

Another big honour was being asked to perform at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

“We played in the Throne Room in front of 1,500 people, it was the biggest gathering of royalty from around the world in the 20th century.

“Everyone was dancing around and having a really good time.”

Kenny adds: “Every generation has its own music, but types of jazz have prevailed throughout the 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.

“Some audience members in their 20s who have enjoyed seeing us play have said, ‘I didn’t think I liked jazz’.

“It’s the feeling you get when you listen to it, the feeling you want to get up and dance.

“Your foot’s tapping and you’re not sure why … that’s what jazz is all about for me.”

Kenny, who started playing the trumpet when he was 12, says the current line-up of Jazzmen is the best he’s played with.

Joining him at the Tivoli will be Bill Coleman (double bass), Hugh Ledigo (piano), Nick Millward (drums) and two stalwarts, Andy Cooper (clarinet, a Jazzman more than 40 years) and John Bennett (trombone, with 50 years under his belt.) “I’m looking forward to coming to Wimborne,” says Kenny. “The Tivoli is a lovely theatre. The staff really make you welcome and there’s a great little bar, and new dressing-rooms now too!”

Despite being in his 80th year, Kenny shows no signs of slowing down.

The band averages two to three gigs a week, and later this month they’ll be on the bill on a three-week cruise from Jamaica to Southampton.

“So yes, we’re busy,” says Kenny.

“And I make sure I practise every day, because I want to get even better.”