The South Tyneside Crem, thankfully recently extended, was close to capacity as the Humanist Celebrant extolled the many aspects of Tommy's life.
However, the most touching moment came from another Tommy, Tommy Moran. Tommy Moran had been a longtime associate, both as a musician and as a friend, of Tommy Graham and he spoke with barely concealed emotion about his loss.
I lost count of the number of musicians present. It would probably have been easier to count the number of musicians who weren't there. I could do it without resorting to my toes!
There was some beautiful music played - recordings by the Tommy Moran Quartet with Tommy on alto and Tommy on drums. The tunes were: The Girl From Ipanema, Exactly Like You and Flamingo. You can probably work out which Tommy played what.
Formalities over, the celebrations - if that is the right word - moved down to the New Sundial pub which I would have loved to have gone along to but, as I was driving, I had to forego. I knew I wasn't going to be celebrating his life with a glass of Perrier Water!
R.I.P. Tommy Graham. Lance
1 comment :
I'm afraid I couldn't be there due to a hospital appointment .
A great loss, both the man and the musician.
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