Tim Hughes talks to classically-trained singer Jean Darke, and learns how music-lovers at an Oxford city centre church are doing their bit to help victims of war overseas by laying on a season of top quality jazz concerts

That heart-wrenching image of a dead child, washed up on a beach in Turkey has seared itself into our consciences, a tiny, tragic snapshot of a huge problem now engulfing our continent.

Well-meaning people have been quick to act; mobilising collections for refugees and even offering their homes to the dispossessed fleeing war and grinding poverty in Syria and elsewhere.

Moved by such harrowing images, one Oxford Church has channelled its energies into raising cash for young refugees and those still trapped in war zones. However, rather than rattling tins or organising cake sales, it is doing it through the medium of... jazz.

St Giles Church, which sits at the junction of Banbury and Woodstock Roads beside the city’s war memorial, is throwing open its doors to some of the country’s finest jazz artists for a series of shows to raise money for Save the Children and War Child, which helps young people in areas of conflict.

The Jazz at St Giles season begins on September 26 with a show by legendary saxophonist Art Themen, and continues with concerts by jazz diva Jacqui Dankworth (October 10), violinist Ben Holder and his quartet (October 24), Italian alto-sax player Tommaso Starace (November 7), Balkan jazz act Budapest Cafe Orchestra (November 21), Pete Oxley and Tim Whitehead, from Oxford’s respected Spin jazz club (December 5) and Gypsy Fire (December 12).

The concerts are organised by classically-trained musician Jean Darke.

“We have all been moved by the terrible scenes of people dying at sea and of refugees struggling to get a better life,” she says. “This is one small way we can try and help.”

Jean, a talented singer and pianist, who has a background at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal College of Arts, is a former PA to the head of BBC Radio 3. She was a friend of the composer Benjamin Britten, sat on the Aldborough Festival Council and has sung on cruise ships and the London Hilton Park Lane and Intercontinental hotels.

She was invited by vicar, the Rev Canon Dr Andrew Bunch, to set up the church’s programme of concerts in 2012, initially raising money for the Gatehouse drop-in centre for the homeless, next door. The centre remains a beneficiary of the jazz concerts, now in their fourth season.

“Even though I am classically trained, my late-husband (the distinguished architect Geoffrey Darke) loved jazz and that rubbed off on me.

“I knew a lot of jazz musicians so I was asked to try and organise a concert, which we did with the David Gordon Trio. It was a tremendous success, so we did another – and carried on.”

Many of those who played, continue to grace this year’s programme – including Jacqui Dankworth – daughter of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth – and the Budapest Cafe Orchestra.

“My preference is for cool jazz rather than Dixieland,” she says. “But I also like Gypsy jazz.

“I love lyrical music and like working out harmonies and where they are going.”

The jazz programme sits alongside the church’s classical programme, also arranged by Jean. Proceeds from those Music at St Giles events have gone to fund the church’s choir academy, which features one of the only male choirs outside the university colleges.

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Despite its Norman and early Gothic architecture, the church has great acoustics and, Jean insists, is warm and comfortable. However, she admits, that was not always the case.

“It used to be freezing!” she laughs. “I remember one Jacqui Dankworth concert on a very cold January evening, where we had to supply the audience with blankets and double duvets! Jacqui herself was at the microphone under three blankets. Later that year we got the heating installed.

“Even before that, people enjoyed it.”

So who is Jean looking forward to this season? “We have a very good programme this year,” she says diplomatically.

“We have built up a fan base. Some people will go anywhere to hear Ben Holder – who plays like Stephane Grappelli – and with Gypsy Fire we see people queuing round the block.

“Seeing Chris Garrick playing with Budapest Cafe Orchestra is also going to be a real treat, as is listening to Art Themen, who is just astonishing. He was Stan Tracey’s favourite sax man... and he’s a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon!”

Popular shows attract up to 250 people, with all profit – once the artists have been paid – going to charity. However, Jean admits, not everyone is a fan. “There is still a sort of prejudice against jazz from some in the older generation, but it works perfectly in this church.

“A lot of people associate jazz with pop, but it’s not noisy; it’s cool and lyrical. It’s also accessible and a lot of people say this is the highlight of their winter. For me, this is a great opportunity to book the music I love and to help other people who are less well off. Child migrants are going through a terrible ordeal and we are keen to do what we can.”

Jazz at St Giles. Performances start at 7.30pm.
Tickets from jazzatstgiles.com or on door, priced £15/ concs £13 (£20 /concs £18 Jacqui Dankworth - pictured, below)

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