" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Haynes, the founder and for over 40 years the creative director of London's Grand Union Orchestra (GUO). Haynes left us on 17 September 2024. Under his visionary leadership, GUO did much to take forward the idea of jazz as a multi-cultural artform, and to celebrate the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic city that London is, representing Haynes' hopes for the world—hopes that he did not just sit back and wish for, but that he worked tirelessly to promote. Read more about that below, in AAJ's review of GUO's 2022 album, Made By Human Hands.

Meanwhile, GUO's Jane Deppa has announced the schedule of events happening on 11 October 2024, celebrating Haynes' life and achievements:

Writes Deppa: "Tony's wish was for everyone to come to the big celebration at St John's at 1pm. If you can come to the crematorium service at 11am we'd love everybody there too. Please wear bright, colourful clothing. No flowers please -donations welcome to Musicians' Union.

11:00am: crematorium service at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium

A short service at Modern Crematorium North Chapel, City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Rd, London E12 5DQ.

1:00pm—celebration of Tony's life at St John on Bethnal Green (main event!)

A joyous continuation of music, tributes, food and wine. All welcome, including kids. Tony would have loved a big audience! Join us from 12:30pm for a 1:00pm start.

St. John on Bethnal Green
200 Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA

Closest tube station is Bethnal Green (Central line), or served by many bus routes.

It would be helpful if musicians could please let Jane or Claude know if you are able to attend.

3:00pm onwards—drinks and stories at The Florist Arms

We're going to end up raising a glass to one of life's great drinking companions just round the corner at The Florist Arms, 255 Globe Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0JD.

See you all there!"

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Grand Union Orchestra
Made By Human Hands
Red Gold
2022

Grand Union Orchestra, which has mentored many young London jazz musicians over four decades, is approximately aligned with the grassroots organisations Tomorrow's Warriors and Kinetika Bloco. The longest established of the trio, Grand Union took wing in 1982, Tomorrow's Warriors in 1991, Kinetika Bloco in 2000. Made By Human Hands is a greatest hits compilation celebrating Grand Union's 40th Anniversary.

The ensemble was founded by trombonist, keyboardist, composer and community activist