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10 May 2017

Musical legacy aims to raise money for Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre

A patient's room was recently transformed into a temporary recording studio.Jimmy Copley

James "Jimmy" Copley, known as a session musician and touring drummer for the likes of Tears for Fears, Jeff Beck , Pretenders, Go West and Manfred Mann's Earth Band, is recording an EP to raise money for the haematology ward at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre.

Following a leukaemia diagnosis in December 2015, Jimmy has been treated by the haematology department in Bristol and wants to thank them for the care he's received, following the decision that he no longer wishes to undergo further rounds of chemotherapy.

With the line-up featuring vocals from Anthony Head (actor, musician), Robert Hart (Bad Company), Jimmy himself with vocals and drums; Chris White on saxophone (Dire Straits); Charlie Jones on bass (Robert Plant, Page and Plant, Goldfrapp); Japan's number one guitarist Char; and Jimmy's own son, Jack, also playing guitar, the EP has given Jimmy something creative to focus on which will leave behind some new music to add to his illustrious back catalogue.

All proceeds from the EP, 'PsycheFunk', will be split between the haematology departments at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Jimmy Copley 2

Jimmy Copley said:

"I'm making the EP to give something back to the wonderful people at the NHS wards that have treated me.

"It gave me something to aim at during the dark days. I feel good about leaving some new music behind."

Dr James Griffin, haematology consultant at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, said:

"Despite everyone's best efforts, Mr Copley's disease relapsed after a bone marrow transplant.

"It is fantastic that he has devoted his time to recording an EP and I have been excited to receive regular updates during his clinic appointments.

"Having a bone marrow transplant can be a lonely experience and hopefully the generous decision to donate the proceeds from this EP to the unit will allow us to make the process more comfortable and less lonely for the patients that we treat, and their carers."


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