Pastor Paul Wakely FROM: Mr. Graham Walker
Bath City Church Northend
Pultney Road Batheaston
Bath BA1 7ES
13th July 1999
RE: Funeral, Jorge Mabuza, Friday 16th July 1999
Dear Pastor Wakely
I am writing to you with regard the funeral of Jorge Mabuza on Friday, having spoken with Anne Vent this morning and Alison yesterday. I have also spoken with Sonja Johnson who I understand is helping with Jorge's funeral arrangements.
I have offered to say a few words about Jorge /read one of the lessons/ sing a composition at his service. Anne asked me to write to you about what I would like to say and my friendship with Jorge, especially as I am unknown to you.
I am a fellow busker and friend of Jorge and was shocked and deeply saddened by his death. I am the person who placed some photographs of Jorge busking with me on the temporary memorial in the City Centre.
I started busking myself in February last year. While I was well-known as a Childrens Entertainer in Bristol, due to debt I decided to give busking a try to help raise my income. I thought it would also be a good opportunity try out the songs I had written and possibly launch a singing career. I had been a singer/songwriter/guitarist for many years, but most performances were simply in my bedroom with my dog as the audience!
I learnt to play guitar and singing while a member of Bridlington Priory Church where for many years in my teens I sang in the choir and was a member of many of the fellowship groups. When I moved to London where I gained an Honours degree in Business Studies I was a member of Middlesex Poly Christian Union (Hendon) and Hendon Baptist Church. While at Hendon Baptist Church I chose to be re-baptised as adult, though was also baptised and confirmed in the Church of England. Since moving to the South West a few years ago I haven't been an active member of any particular church but my faith has remained with me and important to me.
While I had done some busking briefly in York, it was naturally quite daunting to start in Bath. I choose to try and get to know some of the buskers in Bath before starting, to try and find my feet and learn from their experience. Some were more forthcoming then others but through attending some of the morning meetings, when the "pitch times" are allocated, I got to know them, and them me, a little better.
It was at one of those meetings that I pointed out that Jorge never came to the meetings. They responded by saying that they didn't really know him all that well and basically let him get on with it. I though wanted to get to know Jorge a bit better because I was already an admirer of his playing. Not just what he played, but how he played and performed it. And how he acknowledged each donation, no matter what it was. Everyone also seemed to know Jorge and smiled when they saw him.
At first I was quite in awe of Jorge because I had a lot of respect for his playing and a far better musician then myself. However, it soon became apparent that he liked my set and my singing and seemed to appreciate that I always stopped and spoke to him each time we met. Then on occasion, if he was passing me while I was playing he would stop, take out his sax and join in! Not for the money, but the joy of playing together and giving those listening a special treat, because it seems a rare occasion in Bath when the buskers actually play something together.
Jorge also became an admirer of my amplifier. He saw the opportunity of not only playing a backing tape while busking, but also recording the result. This gave him the opportunity to put together some tapes to send to agents etc, which is what I was doing with mine. I gladly let him try mine out and where I had bought it, but I also wondered if Jorge could afford one, because it had cost me £130. I made a comment to him along the lines of "Probably take quite a bit of overtime Jorge!" to which he replied smiling, as he always did "Yeah… but it'll be worth it."
Three weeks later I was playing in the Square when I see Jorge walking around the corner, his face beaming, towing behind him on a trolley his new amplifier! He thanked me for helping him and said he could feel a new future dawning for him now he could record himself. He seemed extremely happy.
A couple of days later Jorge then appeared with a trolley. The same as for towing his new amp. He said that he realised how heavy the amp was, and that if he needed a trolley, so did I. And that as he had bought a copy of my amp I should have a copy of his trolley! And while I offered him the money for it he insisted it was a present for helping him. That, was an example of Jorge's nature.
I asked Jorge if he'd like to play with me when I was asked to do a concert at Royal Victoria Park. He very much wanted to, but unfortunately had been booked for two gigs in Southampton at the same weekend. While we were both disappointed I was glad for Jorge that other people had recognised his talent and he had something to boost his earnings. That night he took my girlfriend Martina and I over to his flat for the first time and proudly showed me various programs and posters of Jazz and Blues concerts he'd played at. It was only really then that I appreciated in how high a respect he held for his playing. And that while he could grace any such stage, here he was busking in Bath.
I said to Jorge that because the busking had been going well for me and I'd received a number of compliments, that I was putting together a band for the concert at Royal Victoria Park, and hoped that the band might go on to play further concerts. That while he couldn't make the concert he was very much amongst my plans if he wanted to be. That one of the reasons I hadn't asked him along to the initial practices was that I wanted to get to at least a standard worthy of him playing with. But with my marketing experience hopefully we could all add to our incomes doing what we enjoyed doing most, performing music.
As it happened, Jorge did play with the band on one occasion. It was shortly after the concert at Royal Victoria Park and by pure chance we all met up in the City Centre. Jorge was busking close by and I introduced him to a couple of people in the band that he hadn't yet met. In the ensuing chat we decided it would be good fun to play an impromptu concert in the main square of the Pump Rooms.
It was early evening and there were only a handful of people in the Square. Suddenly the quietness turned to music with guitar, bass, flute and sax! While Jorge hadn't played with us before he took his solo's with a glance and improvised them on the spot. And the way he looked at me when he played I knew he was trying to impress me. He didn't need to, put he played his socks off. And I will always remember when he joined in a flute solo later in the set, because these guys, Jez and Jorge knew each other as fellow buskers but had never played with each other before. Both were fine improvising musicians and the music they played would have received an ovation from any audience.
In fact the audience was probably about 200 people, because as soon as we started they seemed to steam into the Square and stood in awe. What was especially enriching for me was that it was my songs we were mostly playing, and I'd dreamed of them sounding so good.
We only played half an hour because we knew it was loud and because we all made a good part of our incomes from busking, we didn't want to risk any complaints. But the memories of that spontaneous concert, especially the way Jorge played, will remain with me for life as amongst my most cherished.
Unfortunately, the consequences of that evening was that I shortly later received a Noise Abatement Notice, banning me from using my amplifier. Which in effect banned me from performing my act.
As it happened, Jorge was there when I received the Notice, which was handed to me by the Environmental Health Officer shortly after finishing a set with "Jez" the flute player. Jorge was waiting to come on and do his set and came over.
During the conversation with the Environmental Health Officer Jorge helped to try and persuade the Environmental Health Officer from issuing the notice. That he used exactly the same amplifier, was probably an even louder act with his Sax, that I'd also been playing with "Jez", so why was I the only one been giving a Noise Abatement Notice?
Unfortunately for me, the Notice was served and I took up the legal challenge to have it overturned. In the Magistrates Court Appeal Hearing that December, in a farce of a Trial, including a Magistrate walking out after 2 hours, my appeal was unsuccessful. I decided to appeal to the Crown Court.
One of the reasons my case wasn't successful, was that I didn't present any witnesses who where there on the day that could testify to the volume I was playing at, nor the conversation had with the Environmental Health Officer, with myself, Jorge and Jez. Jez had already gone back to Ireland, and I didn't really want to ask Jorge and felt I had enough other good evidence to win the Appeal. Including a petition signed by all the businesses in Bath Abbey Square, both Managers and staff, including The Pump Rooms, stating they were against the ban and where happy for me to continue my act with my amplifier. I also had a letter from City Councillor Keith Lunt who had asked me to perform at Royal Victoria Park on the strength of the good reaction my performances were getting when busking. There was also the fact that it stated on the Notice that if a similar Notice could have been presented to anyone else "Jointly Responsible" for the nuisance, then the Notice served on me was invalid. As I had been playing with "Jez", and he had used my amp by playing is solo's down the microphone, I felt I'd gone to Court having won on a technicality anyway, as he didn't receive a Notice but was "Jointly responsible" for the "Noise." (Though I hate to term my music "Noise"!)
During the Magistrate Court Appeal, the Environmental Health Officer stated that over the summer period (March-October) he had received four complaints, all regarding the volume of my amplifier.
In fact two of these complaints, when my girlfriend checked the dates in her diary, had come on the evening I had played with Jorge, Jez and Spod in the square. So I couldn't be held solely responsible for those complaints. One complaint had apparently come from another busker, which I think can be taken with a hint of malice, the fourth one was when I was playing with Jez.
I'm sure I am not alone in believing I have received very shoddy justice. I decided to Appeal the decision to the Crown Court and asked Jorge if he would come along as a witness.
It was obvious that Jorge was uncomfortable with the proposition and said he would certainly write a letter, but he'd rather not go to the court in person. It is only after his death do I know more about some of Jorge's background, including apparently almost being executed in Mozambique and came to England as a refugee. It is again with great respect to his character and nature that a few days after my request, when we next spoke he said that "If I really needed him to be there, he would be there." He explained that when he'd thought about it, that it could easily have happened to him or someone else.
As it happened, a couple of weeks before the Crown Court Appeal I had fallen quite ill. Whilst I had flu, both the financial the position I'd found myself in because of the ban, including being weeks behind in my rent (I received no Welfare benefits) and the landlord beginning to put the pressure on, and the pressure of the Court Appeal had led me into depression. The depression of course made me more susceptible to illness, something I have unfortunately experienced before in my life and suffered a very serious nervous breakdown three years ago.
I applied for an adjournment on the Grounds of Ill Health and was asked to supply a Doctors letter. My doctor gladly provided one as he was treating me with penicillin and even wrote that I was obvious suffering severe fatigue. However, two days before the hearing I received a call to say a Judge had ruled that he felt I was well enough to appear.
Quite simply, I knew I wasn't. Then Bath City Council pounced and said that if I pulled out now, they would not ask for any costs. I felt completely pressured to call off my appeal. I had to either appear while ill, un-represented because I was refused Legal Aid and risk losing because of it and but a financial mill-stone around my neck which I could hardly afford. The very reason for my busking was to help try to handle some serious debt rather then simply "Go Bankrupt".
The simple fact was, despite having a cast iron case I felt, I couldn't afford the risk. But was also aware that if I abandoned my appeal, I could not re-appeal, and would therefore remain banned forever.
Because it was fairly obvious I had a lot of public sympathy regards to the ban, I decided to organise a campaign to try and have the ban over turned by public pressure. I know my concerts were thoroughly enjoyed by both tourists and residents and I enjoyed performing them.
Part of this was a CD I produced, which contained 11 of my songs. But then pop it in a computer and it contained a "CD WEBSITE". Here people could watch video of me busking last year, to decide themselves if it was too loud, read the facts of the court case and see if they come to the same decision as the Magistrates and watch a slideshow "Appeal". The slideshow includes the photos of when Jorge played with me that evening in the Square with friends "Jez" and "Spod" People could then email their "Decision" to me and these would be later presented to the Council.
Shortly after finishing the CD I saw Jorge playing in Bath and gave him a copy. I told him that now I had the knowledge to produce a CD, I'd very much like to help him record a CD which he could sell while busking. He was very much looking forward to it. I also said that to help awareness of the CD and my campaign, that I was planning to do a series of concerts and I would very much like him to be part of it. He agreed immediately and wanted to know when the first practice was? I asked him to be patient, because I wanted to get some musicians together that reflected his quality.
The following week I was returning from shopping when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Jorge smiling away at me. "Your CD Grod…." (Jorge always called me by my "stage name" Grod) "I really like it. It's wonderful. I've been playing it all week and I've put some solos to a few of them, why not come over and hear them?"
Unfortunately, laden with shopping and the promise I was cooking tea to my girlfriend, I declined Jorge's offer. Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw Jorge. I can only dream of what music Jorge had put to my songs, but I'm pretty sure I would have loved it. And I don't think I would have been alone. One of the songs that Jorge said was his favourite from the CD was "Time For Amendment", which is a song I dedicated to the peace process in Northern Ireland. I must admit I wondered if sax would have been appropriate on it, to which he replied "Tell me that after you've heard it!"
I am would be honoured to perform this song at Jorge's funeral as a special to memoriam to him during the service. The lyrics are certainly appropriate as Jorge I understand has family and loved ones abroad who will not be able to attend his funeral. I have enclosed lyrics and a tape of the song. And possibly we can imagine what Jorge might have played to, to reflect and remember his talent.
My sadness is that I left Bath for about a month to visit my parents in Yorkshire. On my return I began to notice I hadn't seen Jorge about. I waited a couple of weeks hoping to bump into him, but then began to ask around. But no-one had seen him. My girlfriend had met him while I was away, and had commented that he didn't look that well and his eyes were quite yellowy, which was a worry.
I had decided to start busking again with an acoustic guitar and presumed I'd see him before long. Then last week a friend notified me of the memoriam and flowers that had been placed by the side of Pump Rooms. I immediately went to it and was very shocked and saddened.
The last address I had for Jorge was the YMCA, but had never been to visit him there. I went round immediately and they confirmed the sad news, and filled me in with the details of him falling ill and eventually dying of pneumonia. Of course this was also shocking, that someone of his age and lung strength should be dying of pneumonia.
I began to talk to other friends of Jorge's, some who knew of his death and some who hadn't. And a story cropped up which gave me even further shock. That a couple of months ago, Jorge had received a warning from the Environmental Health Officer. Other stories were of Jorge beginning to seem smiling, but obvious desperate inside, to depression, complaints of feeling ill and friends watching his health begin to quickly break up. He was obvious suffering.
I unable to verify the story about Jorge being banned from busking yet, but if true, I am sure that it would have had a major impact in his life. While apparently he did receive Housing Benefit, his major source of income was busking. Which was fine. Jorge enjoyed busking and many respected his talent and donated. But remove that facility to busk, you remove his income and suddenly major worries occur. Knowing you have the talent to earn far more from your playing, but looking for that break.
My hope, was to give Jorge that break. I was at the stage when I was going to put my band together and the major reason of me trying to find Jorge. Whenever I was with him I had visions of us playing on a big stage somewhere with thousands of fans adoring his talent, and him looking up during a solo and winking as we remembered how we had been doing it on the streets for free before.
I therefore feel a greater loss because of what the future could have been like for both Jorge and myself. And if the information of him being banned from busking is true, knowing myself how I was physically affected and the problems it caused me, I'm sure the problems would have been tenfold and quite a burden on Jorge.
I was relieved to here that friends were with Jorge, including the Church he belonged to. Who told me that even while heavily sedated still occasionally opened his eyes and smiled as they sang to him.
In the evening I went to Jorge's old flat to see his posters and programs of events he'd appeared at, both my girlfriend Martina and I were a bit shocked by it's lack of belongings. But in pride of place was Jorge's music centre, in the middle of the room. He told me that after playing he came from busking he'd normally spend the evening listening, recording and praising. When I enquired about the "praising" he told me that he had a great belief that I might not understand. I replied that as I had a fairly deep faith myself, (something I don't normally volunteer) then possible I might.
Because I didn't know Jorge that closely, I didn't expect Jorge to share the same faith, but we were both delighted when we found we did. He seemed to be a common bond between us that helped relate to each other better. When he found that I didn't attend a church regularly he invited me go down to his church with him. Something that we agreed to do, but happens sadly only at his death. But I know that his friends from the church were dear to him and source of much support, which I thank them for.
Happily, in another conversation with Jorge I asked if he'd any received any racial abuse while playing in Bath? He smiled, as he always did, and said that it had only happened once or twice and he'd simply laughed it off, that he suffered far worse then at in his own country. I didn't at the time know the relevance of that statement. But he went on to tell me that the response he'd received from the people of Bath had been very good and one of the main he reasons he played here, which is credit to the citizens of Bath. Many of whom felt saw Jorge not just as a talented saxophonist but a friend, someone who brought joy to a lot of peoples life with his performances.
All people live and breathe. But when Jorge breathed, we heard him speak by the melodies he produced. And somehow, it was just the notes we were listening out for. He was a very special talent.
Finally, I do realise that Jorge had friends who have known him longer and probably more personally then I. They have far more entitlement to speak and at his funeral and will understand if you do not need me to be a contributor. But if you would like someone who knew Jorge purely from his busking and music, to contribute to the service, I would be honoured to do so, in the highest respect for Jorge.
With many thanks for the support Jorge was shown by the church,
Graham Walker
Alias "Grod Groddler" (The Banned Busker of Bath)
(The Artist Formally Known As Happy Graham!)