Community music groups based in Lady Bay continue to develop, as the 25-piece Lady Bay Soul Collective prepares for its next major gig – A Soulful Winter’s Night on 25 January at the Big Shed, Trent Navigation.
The band will play a wide range of soulful Jazz, Motown, funk and rare groove, with a bit of disco in the mix as well. The Collective is drawn from members across the wider region who initially responded to a call for players on social media. Having been together for a little over a year, the group has expanded out to a large string section, horns, rhythm section and vocalists.
The Soul Collective is one of three groups in the area that are open to everyone, whether you’re new to an instrument, or have been looking for an opportunity to pick it back up again. Making music together is proven to have enormous benefits on personal and social well-being, and the musicians involved in these groups have spoken about the positive impacts of playing together. Percussionist and clarinettist Jayne Lingard said “joining the Lady Bay music groups has transformed my life. From having no involvement in music, I now feel rejuvenated and fully part of the local community again having become somewhat isolated after retiring from work”. Jackie Dearden who plays alto saxophone said that “there’s something very special about playing music with other people, the tingles of excitement and sheer joy are priceless”.
For director Richard Coffey-Glover, these groups form part of a wider plan to support more music-making across the area, and in particular to ensure young people have as much exposure and involvement in live music-making as possible. 
Future plans for activities in Lady Bay include a music session for children in February half-term, which is intended to develop into a band that will meet regularly. Further ensembles and workshops will be on the way!
If you would like to find out more, please contact Richard at [email protected]
Tickets for the Soul Collective’s January gig are available on Eventbrite and through the band’s Facebook page.