Rhythmix/Wishing Well 24-hour charity jam

25th-26th November 2017
Regency Ballroom, Angel House, Brighton seafront

My old friend Jo from 90s travelling days put this together and raised a lot of money (far more than planned) for a great cause. This was her commendable response to its budget getting slashed — don't get angry, do something amazing to help...

Here's the story.

I showed up with my saz for the overnight session. Unforgettable. Such a funny mix of covers and people...jazz standards, pop covers, Scandinavian fiddle tunes, smooth jazz interludes, The Cure, Prince, Dire Straits and Bon Jovi....Squeeze, The Beatles, The Kinks, Leonard Cohen, "Ramona" (the only Dylan heard, sung by Marina who also had a breathtaking couple of originals). Chuck Berry's "Can't Catch Me" and, of course, "Rock Around the Clock". There was no free playing while I was there, all songs and tunes, but that worked. The evening was enhaced by a charmingly drunk puppeteer, and of course we had to play "Here Comes The Sun" for sunrise (all over the place due to sleep deprivation and someone we'd have described as a 'banana' back in the day on the keyboard). Then all out onto the beach for sunrise. Joyful! Thanks Jo. I think the ultimate total was over £10,000! (£1000 being the original target).