A memorial concert is to be held on Westside in tribute to a talented young musician who died in an accident at an indoor ski centre.
The free concert will be held at Symphony Hall on 5 March in memory of 12-year-old Louis Watkiss, who died at Tamworth SnowDome in Staffordshire in September last year.
Louis, from Sutton Coldfield, developed his talent at Symphony Hall as a member of B:Music’s Jazzlines Summer School, which he attended last August.
He was also a keen player in B:Music’s Jazzlines Ensemble and the Birmingham Schools’ Jazz Ensemble.
Louis, who received tuition from Services for Education, reached Grade 5 at saxophone through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Richard Foote, talent development manager at B:Music, who worked closely with the youngster, said: “Louis was a very talented young saxophonist and his passion for jazz and music was infectious.
“He was always willing to get involved and have a go. It is a privilege to be able to put on this concert to celebrate Louis’s life, and we have selected a programme of tunes that he loved to play and listen to.”
The first half of the memorial concert will showcase tutors and peer mentors from Jazzlines Summer School who have come together in Louis’s memory to form a band and perform some of his favourite jazz numbers.
The band will feature acclaimed musicians including Xhosa Cole, the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, bass player James Owston, drummer Ric Yarborough, and pianist and synth player Piera Onacko.
The Birmingham Schools’ Jazz Ensemble will perform in the second half.
Louis’s father Chris Watkiss said music played a huge part in his son’s life.
“Music meant such a lot to Louis – from the thrill of playing jazz on his saxophone to listening to his playlists on Spotify. I was never aware of what type of music was on his playlists but after he passed, I had a look. I was so pleased to see the variety.
“This concert means so much to us as a family. To hear the music that Louis loved playing will be such an honour. The fact that it has been organised in tribute to him is so very generous and thoughtful.
“All the musicians that have kindly given their time and effort to contribute is very humbling to us. Thank you so much to everyone for making this happen.”
As a legacy to Louis, B:Music has named a seat after him in Symphony Hall: Row L, seat 15 in the stalls.
The free concert will start at 10am in the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at Symphony Hall. Tickets are available via https://bmusic.co.uk/events/louis-watkiss-memorial-concert
