It seemed a long time before Jacky finally left us. The complications of dying abroad and the ensuing documentation meant that it wasn't until today that JD was finally laid to rest.
It was done in style - I wouldn't have expected any other. An assembled crew of musicians played at the Crem. Iain MacAulay and Mike Durham on trumpet; Lawrence McBriarty and Brian Chester, trombone: Derek Fleck, clarinet; J.C.Hallam on sousaphone and Dave Rea and John Hedley on banjo. That's right - rock guitarist John Hedley on banjo! (click here for proof!)
It was a good Humanist service that gave us all a picture of, not only Jacky the jazzman, but also the family man. Appropriately, As the coffin was committed, a recording of Mike Carr, John McLaughlin, Gary Cox and Jacky - Bell's Blues - was played. It was in 3/4 and the solid Denton drum punch drove it along.
The boys played us out with The Saints.
Afterwards it was over to Holly Hill Club where many musicians and family gathered round to chat and reminisce and enjoy the splendid spread provided. Andy Hudson gave a power-point slide show of the many aspects of Jacky's life some of which appear here.
I went into the adjoining bar. A local asked the barmaid what was going on.
"Funeral", she replied. "Jacky Denton - he was a drummer".
The lady had hit the nail on the head.
It was a fitting epitaph.
Jacky Denton - he was a drummer (add your own superlatives.)
Lance.
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