A successful charity gig has raised £2,587.52 for the Macmillan Cancer trust in memory of the late musician David Swift.
The sell-out event, held on February 19 at the Olive Bowl in Gillingham, was organised by Big Brass Ska and their friends from D’Ska Assassins, both of whom David played keyboard for.
A skilled keyboardist, David sadly died of cancer in July 2020. He was known as “Doctor David Ska” for his love of playing SKA music. He certainly had a passion for music – he was in three different bands playing gigs up to three times a week. He particularly loved the sound of the Hammond organ and had quite a collection.
David was a big supporter of young and upcoming talent, so it was apt that this fitting tribute opened with a local new band, The Squashed Flies, playing a set of Indie Rock.
That was quickly followed by D’Ska Assassins and Big Brass Ska playing individual sets of popular SKA music, and they joined together at the end for a rousing finale.
The gig was a complete sell-out and all the players gave their time for free.