Press Release

Lockdown Trad Jazz Charity Single for Stricken “Charlie’s Place” Animal Sanctuary Co- Founder

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Six leading traditional jazz musicians were shocked when fellow trumpeter, Wil Robinson, was struck with a life threatening illness last month.

Ex soldier, Wil, who co-founded the small animal sanctuary, Charlie’s Place, with partner, Claire Cadman,  near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was unconscious for two weeks and in intensive care.  He was on a ventilator for a while. It was touch and go. Fortunately, he is on the road to recovery, but it will be a long journey.

Drummer John Petters, handpicked a group of top players to record a single to raise funds for Wil.

“In normal times, we would have organised a benefit concert – but with Lock Down, that couldn’t happen”, said John. “We decided to do the next best thing and record a single remotely, which could downloaded in return for a donation to “Charlie’s Place””.

The band comprised musicians who played with legendary British and American jazz stars.

Veteran guitarist, Jim Douglas, came to fame in the Trad Jazz Boom in the late 50s with Alex Welsh’s band. There is a video of a young Jim, from a BBC 2 TV special in the 1960s, with New Orleans trumpeter Henry “Red “ Allen.

Trumpeter, Pete Rudeforth and clarinettist  / saxophonist, Richard Exall, were both stars  in the hit making band, led by the recently departed jazz icon,  Chris Barber.

Harlem stride pianist, Dave Browning specialises in the two handed powerful approach made famous during the gangster controlled Prohibition days of the 1920s.

Trombonist Graham Hughes, one of the younger musicians on the scene, specialises in early jazz. Graham has worked with such leading bands as the “Pasadena Roof Orchestra.”

Bassist Keith Donald and  Petters played together for over 40 years and have appeared on stage with most of the names in British jazz, including Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, Humphrey Lyttelton and crossover performers such as Georgie Fame and Lonnie Donegan

Pete Rudeforth suggested composing a new tune based appropriately on “Old MacDonald Had A Farm”. Within a couple of hours he had the melody and the recording was done.

John laid down the drum track and sent it to the rest of the band, via the internet, who then improvised their contributions. Pete did the final production.  

A delighted Wil said from his hospital bed, “Oh boy! That is fantastic. It's caused a few tears but it's put a huge smile on my face.” Will named the tune “Charlie’s Place Shuffle”

Charlie’s Place is a small, privately owned and funded animal sanctuary tucked away in the Derbyshire countryside.  It offers a safe and loving home to animals in need, most of which come from the meat industry and wildlife.  Claire and Wil try to rehabilitate animals, with health conditions all their lives. They have set up an animal hospital, which incurs vet’s bills running into thousands.  The pandemic and Wil’s illness have had a devastating effect on the funding of the sanctuary.

They are determined to fight back and when Wil is out of hospital, the couple plan to marry.

We are not charging a set price for this track, so will be relying upon your generousity.

Please e-mail me to donate directly to Wil's paypal account. I will then send the link to downlod the file as an MP3 or higher quallity WAV file

Donate here

Download This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.