Steve to play in charity tribute to Jack Bruce
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
25 October 2016
An Evening For Jack
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
25 October 2016
A celebration of the Life and Music of Jack Bruce
- first wave of artists announced -
Ginger Baker (Cream), Billy Cobham (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Eddi Reader (Fairground Attraction), Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake)
Dennis Chambers, Jeff Berlin, Corky Laing, Clem Clempson, Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper, Chris Spedding, Maya Sage, Iain 'Nico' Bruce, Kofi Baker
Plus Very, Very Special Guests
...and more to be confirmed...
Musical Direction by Pete Brown and Malcolm Bruce
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire Tuesday 25 October 2016
£40.00 (stalls and Level 3) adv
£60.00 (Levels 1 and 2) adv
£100 VIP (including meet and greet) adv
ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000
A host of legendary musicians and artists have announced they will perform at a unique three-hour concert celebrating the life and music of the legendary musician Jack Bruce. Taking place at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on Tuesday 25 October, the date marks the two year anniversary since the passing of the hugely influential Cream bassist.
Celebrated artists already confirmed include Ginger Baker, the legendary rock drummer and a founder member of Cream, who needs little introduction. Considered one of the greatest drummers of all time, Baker played with Cream and later Blind Faith as well as Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and the Graham Bond Organisation. Also performing will be the astounding fusion-drummer Billy Cobham (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra), famed for his open-handed playing style and who recorded and toured with Bruce in the 1980s. Steve Hackett, the widely influential musician, singer and songwriter, who gained prominence as lead guitarist with Genesis in the 1970s. Scottish singer-songwriter, Eddi Reader (MBE), whose time with Fairground Attraction brought her into the limelight in the 1980s and also performed with Bruce on the soundtrack to the Scottish film The Slab Boys (1997). Joining an all-star line-up is rock and blues guitarist Bernie Marsden, best known for his work and song-writing with Whitesnake.
"This show will be a chronological musical journey through my dad's musical career" says Malcolm Bruce, son of Jack and co-director of the show with long-term Cream collaborator, Pete Brown. "We'll be starting from the early years with the Alexis Korner and Graham Bond era, moving through the Cream era, to his many solo records with a nod to some of the other important collaborations during his lifetime."
Even more musicians confirmed to perform at 'An Evening For Jack', will be American drummer Dennis Chambers (Santana, Parliament Funkadelic, John McLaughlin), bass player Jeff Berlin, drummer Corky Laing from Mountain and West, Bruce & Laing, guitarist Clem Clempson (Colosseum and Humble Pie), vocalist Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper (Parliament Funkadelic), guitarist Chris Spedding and family members, Jack's granddaughter, singer Maya Sage, nephew and bassist Iain 'Nico' Bruce and drummer and son of Ginger, Kofi Baker. All will be collaborating to perform songs through the life and legacy of an iconic man.
Proceeds raised from the evening will be donated to Nordoff Robbins and Jack's favourite local charity, East Anglian Children's Hospices (EACH).
Cream was the seminal 1960s band that Bruce formed with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, whom along with co-writer Pete Brown, penned many of their songs, including one of the most spine-tingling riffs of all time, 'Sunshine Of Your Love', to 'I Feel Free' and 'White Room'. A band full of staggering musicianship and technical proficiency, they sold millions of records during their four-album career, with a host of other artists covering Bruce's songs from Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie, and his huge lasting influence lives on in many more. Pete Brown continued to work as lyricist with Bruce throughout his lifetime, collaborating for almost 50 years from those early days with Cream, right through to Jack's final studio album, Silver Rails (March 2014).
After Cream split in November 1968, Bruce went on to enjoy enormous success with 14 solo studio albums, several jazz and blues fusion releases and many collaborations including stints in The Tony Williams Lifetime and West, Bruce & Laing, a blues power trio with Leslie West and Corky Laing of Mountain, touring as a member of Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, and several collaborations with Gary Moore.
Cream reformed for the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony and again for a four-night stand at the Royal Albert Hall in 2005 and Madison Square Garden in New York. He spent the latter part of his life working with the likes of Robin Trower, John Medeski and Vernon Reid, combining his love of blues, rock and jazz.
Tickets are on sale priced at £40.00 - £60.00 and £100 VIP (including meet and greet) at ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000.
Press enquiries:
Louise Kovacs 0207 787 3128 louise@academy-music-group.co.uk
Justine Fancy 0207 787 3149
