Ronnie Scott’s first Musical Instrument Amnesty declared a resounding success.
Monday, July 13, 2015
The musical instrument amnesty that took place at Ronnie Scott's on July 11th 2015 resulted in over 150 instruments being donated. These will be given new life by young people in the UK and abroad.
We have received the following press release;
PRESS RELEASE
Ronnie Scott’s, Soho
13th July 2015
RONNIE SCOTTS FIRST MUSIC INSTRUMENT AMNESTY A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Last Saturday, July 11th, Ronnie Scott’s opened its doors but not, as is usual, to the latest jazz superstar, but to members of the public who flocked to the club to donate their unused musical instruments to Ronnie Scott’s first Music Instrument Amnesty.
Treasure donated by members of the public.
Ronnie Scott’s had announced its partnership with two charities to give new life to unused or unwanted instruments by donating them to young aspiring musicians both in the UK and abroad. It was the club’s first time in undertaking such a task and as such had no target. Yet they were delighted that over 150 instruments were pledged with more still drifting in.
Almost each instrument arriving in its dusty case came with a story. Some were saying farewell to instruments owned by late family members ? many of whom were jazz fans that had frequented Ronnie’s, while others were finally freeing up cupboard space following lapsed musical careers. High profile donors included Sam Smith who donated a stunning white violin played by a band member during this year’s Brit Award performance. Award winning artist Neil Cowley also donated a violin, jazz trumpet star Christian Scott donated a specially commissioned trumpet while Mercury nominated music pioneer Nitin Sawhney and 1960’s pop idol Dave Berry both donated guitars. All had one thing in common ? the chance to give youngsters the opportunity to have their lives enriched by music.
Ronnie Scott’s Managing Director Simon Cooke who donated his own tenor saxophone said, ?It was a great day and I am absolutely thrilled that the club has been able to generate so many instruments that will go to the projects. Each instrument will make a difference to many kids looking to explore their musicality and develop their future’
The amnesty, organized in association with Sistema England and Music Fund allows donated instruments to be given new life in the hands of children and young people participating in ambitious music projects in targeted communities in the UK and overseas. Each donor was issued with a tracking number so that their instrument to could be tracked to its final destination whether Newcastle, Liverpool or the war torn Middle East.
Sistema England, founded by Julian Lloyd Webber, seeks to transform the lives of children, young people and their communities through the power of music making. It is part of an international movement inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan programme that benefits street kids through the creation of grass roots orchestras. The Ronnie Scott’s Music Instrument Amnesty will go some way to benefit some of the 3,000 children in Sistema programmes in 14 schools in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich and Telford. Overseas, the collected instruments will be given a second life through Music Fund who distributes to projects in international conflict zones from their base in Brussels. Music Fund is a humanitarian project that supports musicians and music schools in conflict areas and developing countries operating in Africa, the Middle East and Central America.
Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1