Suddenly a message appeared on my mobile phone that the JAM FOR JACK would take place in London in the short term and that the pre-sale would start immediately.
Ignoring the first impulse, I quickly ordered tickets and the flight, as well as a hotel ‘around the corner’ from the Gibson Garage, at the second impulse. It turned out that in the 70s world stars such as Mick Jagger, John Lennon & Joko Ono and more of that calibre also resided here. Funny coincidence!
The Gibson Garage in London is a so-called flagship store, the second to be opened worldwide (after Nashville USA) by Jimmy Page, Brian May and Tony Lommi in February 2024.
Just visiting this flagship store is already a happening for the enthusiast. So many guitars and amplifiers, the decor, everything breathes music and music history. For the occasion, the Bruce family brought Jack Bruce’s first Gibson EB-1 bass guitar to be displayed, along with some memorabilia.
Also present was a Gibson Les Paul that Eric Clapton gave to his colleague Albert Lee.
After a friendly welcome by the staff of the Gibson Garage with a drink and a chat, the guests were allowed through to the room where the JAM FOR JACK would take place, a so-called ‘back to the roots’ experience.
A small room, small crowded stage and therefore a concentration of positive energy that you don’t often experience. The program was divided into 4 blocks, after the greeting by the 9 year old grandson Ché of Jack Bruce, Paul Sexton and Aruba Red Bruce, Kyla Bruce, accompanying herself on the piano, kicked off with 2 pieces.
Well-known and unknown, as well as material that had never been played live before, was brought to the fore during the evening.
After this quiet and enchanting opening, the JB Blues Band entered the stage. Guest guitarist Marcus Bonfanti (Ten Years After/ Jawbone) completed this JB Blues Band for a number of songs. What power this guy has!
The program was too rich and varied to describe everything. In particular, the many vocalists, the regular band changes and the introductory talks by Aruba Red and Paul Sexton made it rich.
The third, more jazzy block provided us with a heartwarming performance by the now 80-year-old saxophonist Art Themen. Modest as he is, he put himself in the shadow of the phenomenon and his mentor Dick Heckstall-Smith.
This alone tells you that you are dealing with a great man. A particularly amiable man! This block was concluded with an impressively modest piece that Jack Bruce once wrote for a musical for the school his daughters attended: Golden Days.
Aruba Red sang this and also said that this musical ‚Little Star‘ is currently being adapted to be performed and released in the near future.
Mark King – bass and vocals (Level 42), Phil Manzanera – guitar (including Roxy Music) and Gary Husband -drums (who’s who of pop and rock music) brought the evening to a resounding end with the Cream hits Spoonful, I Feel Free, White Room and Sunshine Of Your Love.
After his mother Aruba Red and his grandmother Margrit had already done so, 9-year-old Ché said goodbye in his own unique and enthusiastic way and with that the evening was not only over, but also complete!
