Friends of much-loved Brentford resident and musician present cheque to national charity

Last night, friends of Brentford’s much-loved neighbour and musician, David Evans, paid tribute to the well-known talented New Orleans style drummer and handed over a cheque to the national charity Youth Music.

The pub band he played with, One More Time, has been a weekly fixture for over 27 years at The Brewery Tap on Catherine Wheel Road, Brentford, a music bar offering the opportunity for local and visiting musicians to play music throughout the week. It features New Orleans style jazz on Tuesday nights.

David Evans was much respected by the jazz fraternity for his great drumming skills. He lived alone and passed away in January. When no relatives could be traced, his fellow musicians, friends and neighbours got together to give him a spectacular send-off and raised money to pay for his funeral expenses. The fundraising efforts were so successful, a surplus was created and this has now been donated to national charity Youth Music and the RSPCA.

David’s funeral ceremony featured music from The Excelsior Marching Band, another New Orleans style band that he had played with for a long time.

Last night a cheque for £1,435 was handed over to a representative of Youth Music, David O’Keeffe during the weekly gig by One More Time at The Brewery Tap.

Youth Music is a national charity providing music-making opportunities annually for 75,000 vulnerable children and young people through 350 music projects across the country. Many of the project participants face challenges in their lives such as living with disability, poverty, mental health issues or living in care.

Speaking to many of the friends and musicians who had raised the money, O’Keeffe said: “We’re so grateful to receive such a generous cheque amount and our thanks go to all David’s friends and neighbours who worked hard to raise this money for his funeral. This money will go towards our work with vulnerable young people who face significant challenges in their lives.  As this work is through music, I hope that David, by all accounts a great musician himself, would have been happy to know that the money raised will be used in this way”.

Max Emmons, Evans’ friend and fellow band member, said:  “David is sorely missed by his fellow musicians, friends and neighbours. We remember him for his modesty, quiet humour and great drumming. His contribution helped to make One More Time a fine band. We’re delighted to be able to hand over this cheque to the charity Youth Music which does great work helping young people in challenging circumstances. I’m sure David would have been happy for us to contribute to this great cause in his name.”

Article supplied by David O'Keefe