The funeral of a dear, longstanding, friend took place today. Tom Smith, who was 87, played piano in one of the very first bands I played in - The Tom Smith Trio. In the photo, from the early/ mid-1960s, Tom is on Piano, Bill Shaw played drums and I was on alto. All three of us attended Jarrow Central School, albeit in different years. The lower section of the photo, taken circa 2005/6, shows us after we met up again at a school reunion. Sadly, both Tom and Bill are now gone.
Tom wasn't a jazzman by any means but he had a good, rhythmic style that was ideal for the dance work we did.
Apart from music, we also shared a social life for some years which, as so often happens gradually faded. Fortunately, years later, we met up again with lots to reminisce about.
His funeral at Whitley Bay Crem was well attended.
Music played was Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy, Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel and a version of I'll See You in my Dreams by a pianist I didn't recognise.
Sadly missed.
Rest in Peace dear friend.
Lance
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