“Music is an international language that does not need words.”

These are the words of a 90-year-old pianist who is hoping to bring isolated people together in the community through his jazz workshops in Croxley Green.

Music has been prevalent throughout Derek Mander’s life so he is inviting people to join in the workshops with their own instruments or just come along to experience first-hand the electric atmosphere of live jazz in the back room of a pub.

Those who do not have a huge interest in music are still recommended to attend the workshops just to listen to some of Derek’s extraordinary tales about his family.

His grandfather Geoffrey Le Mesurier Mander built an empire in the early 1900s as a paint and varnish manufacturer and quickly built up Manders Brothers Ltd based in Wolverhampton.

His sons also managed to successfully establish themselves – apart from Derek’s father Alan.

He explained: “One son, Geoffrey, became an MP for Wolverhampton East and another called Miles became a Hollywood actor starring in films such as The Little Princess, Murder, My Sweet and the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights.

“My grandparents didn’t know what to do with my father so sent him to places such as Australia, bringing oil back to London Docks.

“At the age of 19 he came into a small fortune but they still did not know what to do with him so sent him off to India selling cars with around 15 other drivers.”

While in India, Alan fell in love with the seventh daughter of the Maharaja rulers in Cooch Behar, west Begnal.

At first they were not allowed to marry but eventually gained permission and had two weddings in both India and England.

They had two daughters and also Derek, who was sent to boarding school in Eastbourne after the family moved back to England in 1911.

But he did not go into the family business however and dropped out of Oxford University to join the army instead – where he often played the piano.

His interest in music developed at an early age due to his parents going clubbing and meeting various famous people.

He even travelled around Europe playing the piano at weddings with his partner of 42 years Wendy – who he met after he responded to an advert she placed in the Watford Observer as a “frog seeking a prince”.

Derek recalled: “I was often dragged out of bed by my parents when they got home in the early hours and would sit on the knees of famous people including American jazz pianist Fats Waller “Music stayed with me all my life even though my parents were not musical themselves and has meant I’ve travelled and met so many people.”

“A musician’s life is a funny one.”

Derek Mander’s Jazz Workshop takes place at The Sportsman in Scots Hill Close, Croxley Green, every Monday night from 7pm.