Tributes to Oldham father-of-two and 'phenomenal musician'

Matt Norton, from Lees, died on August 16 following a heart attack he suffered the day after playing a gig with one of his bands, Professor Fonque.

Following his sudden passing tributes have been paid to him, while a tribute gig will be held next month to raise money for charity in his memory.

Matt Norton played in bands in and around Oldham for more than three decades (Image: Supplied)

Phil Harrop, who plays the trombone in Professor Fonque and had known Matt for more than 30 years, said father-of-two Matt was "fine and well" after the gig and that he had gone for a run and congratulated the band on the gig over text the next morning.

Paying tribute to Matt, Phil, from Royton, said that when the pair met 33 years ago at an audition, Matt "took me under his wing and looked after me and that never changed".

He added: "He was the most diplomatic person, I never saw him argue with anyone ever.

Both Dan Hough and Phil Harrop described Matt as diplomatic (Image: Supplied)

"He was a great guy, we miss him incredibly."

Matt's closest friend and fellow Professor Fonque band member, Dan Hough, described Matt as a "loving husband, a doting father, a phenomenal musician and an exceptional friend".

He added: "He lived his life in a way I feel we should all aspire to, no matter what tragedies life threw at him he was still the same gentle, kind and supportive soul.  He treated everyone he met in the same way, polite, respectful and hilariously funny.

Matt played a gig the night before he died (Image: Supplied)

"He was a brilliant musician, tirelessly creative and an inspiration to all of those lucky to play with him.  In any band he was the one you knew you could rely on, the one who was never lost, never out of tune."

On Sunday, November 17, a tribute gig will take place at Whittles @ Tokyo on Roscoe Street, Oldham, where Professor Fonque and William and the Eternals, another of Matt's bands, will play.

Entry will be free and there will be raffles and other fundraising activities held to raise money for North West Air Ambulance Charity.

To donate to North West Air Ambulance Charity in memory of Matt, click here.

Dan said: "The 17th is our opportunity to say goodbye to our friend, bass player, mentor and band leader in the most appropriate way we know, playing the music he loved with the bands he loved."

Phil said there were conversations over whether the band would carry on with a new bass player, who also plays in William and the Eternals.

The event to celebrate the life and music of Matt will be held at Whittles @ Tokyo on Sunday, November 17, with doors opening at 3pm.