Ronnie Scott's Jazz Bar, in Soho, is preparing to hold an unusual charity event - namely a musical instrument amnesty.
The bar is urging Londoners to dig out any old musical instruments and donate them at the event on Saturday July 11, from 10am to 3.30pm.
Anyone can book their place and donate their old or unused instrument to the amnesty, and the charity, Sistema England, will give the instrument a new lease of life by giving them to children in need participating in 'social action through music' schemes in the UK and abroad.
The charity aims to transform the lives of children, young people and their communities through the power of music making.
Managing director of Ronnie Scott's, Simon Cooke, said: "We at Ronnie's are really pleased to lead this drive helping schools and education projects at home and around the World.
"Our standing in the jazz world puts us in a great position to ask musicians, our members and the public at large to help us help underprivileged kids by donating their unloved or used music instruments on July 11.
"This is the first of a few new charitable initiatives that the club will be embarking upon."
Donors are invited to book an appointment to donate and, while they wait for their instrument to be inspected and a tracking number issued - the donor is able to track their instrument to its final destination whether Newcastle, Liverpool or the Middle East – they are invited to experience the iconic venue, maybe even rubbing shoulders with musicians who have graced the stage, who will be dropping their instruments off too!
A spokeswoman for the event said: "Just in case you have an unused instrument under your bed, in a cupboard, behind your wardrobe, whether it's a violin or a saxophone, it'll be a great laugh! And you never know who might be wandering around."
As well as collecting and repairing instruments, the club will also be organising jazz workshops that invite school kids into Ronnie's to work with world class musicians in forming their very own big band!
For more information, or to book in your instrument for donation, head to the official website.
Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4HT - 020 7439 0747
