A celebration of the life and work of legendary Jamaican-British jazz musician and community figurehead Andy Hamilton MBE is to take place at Symphony Hall on Tuesday 26th June at 2.30pm.
The afternoon event, featuring a number of performances and tributes from musicians and friends including the Notebenders Big Band, the Blue Notes, David Murray, Jean Toussaint, Gary Crosby, Nana Tsiboe, Helen McDonald and Winston Clifford, will be compèred by Dr Carl Chinn. Further guests are to be announced. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to availability). Doors open at 1.45pm.
A display of photos by Smethwick-based photographer Russ Escritt will also be on show in Symphony Hall’s foyer. From the early 1990s, Russ documented Andy Hamilton’s gigs with the Blue Notes and guests at his various residencies in Bearwood, and the photos originally appeared in the Symphony Hall exhibition Andy Hamilton is 90 in 2008.
There will be an informal opportunity to pay tribute to Andy after the event, and a collection will be held for several organisations that he was closely involved with.
Andy’s funeral will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 26th June 2012 at the Birmingham Christian Centre. The Hamilton family invite attendees to wear colourful accessories to the funeral, in honour of Andy’s love of wearing colourful ties.
Please note that there is no parking facility at the church on the day of the funeral. Attendees are advised to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Birmingham Christian Centre or to use public transport where possible.
Flowers will be gratefully received and proceeds from donations at both events will be donated to The Ladywood School of Music, Moseley Hall Hospital, The Andy Hamilton Trust (The Notebenders) and The Karis Medical Centre, Ladywood.