University News Last updated 10 October
The spirit of the late American jazz drummer Douglas Sides lived on at this year’s Broadstairs Jazzfest, as the Doug Sides Legacy Band headlined the event a year after Doug’s final performance.
Last year, graduates Reuben-James Gilbert, Ollie Canham, Dominic Johnson and Nick Manz performed alongside Doug’s band and in their own band, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Quartet. Tragically, Doug passed away just three days later.
In tribute of Doug, who was a close friend of theirs, the group formed the Doug Sides Legacy Band, touring the UK and spending a month performing across China in August.
At this year’s Jazzfest, which took place across more than 10 venues in Broadstairs, the Legacy Band honoured Doug’s memory by taking over his headline slot.
They were also joined by six RBC students to form a new RBC band, featuring vocalist Grace Conner, bassist Macy Wright, drummer Jono Hilliam, guitarist Jamie McLeish, pianist Marcus Coates and saxophonist Lizzie Choyce.
The RBC band performed three gigs across the festival weekend, from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October.
Reuben-James Gilbert said: “I want to thank Will Leaves from The Magnet Pub for organising the entire festival – we wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t been for his dedication over the past year! A special thanks also to Doug’s wife, Mary-Ann Sides, for her ongoing support to all of us at the Conservatoire.
“In our downtime, we got to know the lovely Kentish town of Broadstairs visiting the food festival, swimming in the sea and making great friends with other musicians and listeners in the town.”
Pictured: (l-r) Graduates Dominic Johnson, Nick Manz, Ollie Canham and Reuben-James Gilbert performing at The Magnet Pub in Broadstairs, one of the Jazzfest venues.