London jazz legend commemorated.

Frank Bates was a singer in the Southern Syncopated Orchestra. Credit: Picture courtesy of Juliet Jones.

A plaque was unveiled in Southwark this afternoon in memory of one of Britain's earliest black jazz musicians.

Frank Bates was a singer in the Southern Syncopated Orchestra which performed in London clubs after the First World War.

He, and seven other members of the SSO, died in 1921 in a shipping disaster.

Frank had lived in Hichisson Road in Peckham Rye where the plaque was unveiled.

Frank's granddaughter, Juliet Jones, says they are keen to trace other descendants of Southern Syncopated Orchestra members.

The Southern Syncopated Orchestra transformed the London club scene and popularised black music. Credit: Picture courtesy of Juliet Jones.