One of the many highlights of the week-long celebrations of the first anniversary of Gibson Garage in London was Jam For Jack and the launch of the Jack Bruce Foundation. Jam For Jack was far more than a tribute concert. It was an intimate and deeply personal celebration of the life and artistry of the legendary Jack Bruce.
Jack Bruce was a phenomenal musician who inspired generations of bass players,” Lee Bartram, Head of Commercial, Marketing & Cultural Influence EU at Gibson, told us in the run-up to the week. “To be able to celebrate him and the Jack Bruce Foundation is an honour for Gibson.”
Held at the Gibson Garage in London, the event was masterfully curated by Bruce’s daughter, Natascha Eleonoré Bruce (aka Aruba Red), weaving together music, storytelling and emotion in a way that honoured her late father’s enduring legacy.
The evening unfolded in four distinct sections, each offering a unique glimpse into Bruce’s career, personal life and lasting impact. Cream classics were brought to life with stunning performances by the Big Blues Band, Mark King, Phil Manzanera, Corin Bruce and Gary Husband. 
Adding to the night’s magic, jazz saxophonist Art Themen delivered a spellbinding performance while Nandi’s powerhouse vocals added emotive intensity to her rendition of Don’t Look Now.
A big shout-out goes to guitarist Tony Remy, singer Marcus Bonfanti and bassist Nick Cohen, while Afronaut Zu was immense singing the version of Politician.
What set this event apart, however, was its deeply personal touch. Aruba Red, alongside her sister Kyla Bruce and niece Maya Sage, infused the evening with family memories, offering rare insights into Jack Bruce beyond his public persona.
Moments like FM and Andromeda provided a rare, intimate perspective on the man behind the music. As Aruba Red explained, FM was a song she repeatedly listened to her father playing on piano, while Andromeda was a piece written by Jack for her nativity play.
The Jack Bruce Foundation has been established to support talented young musicians facing barriers in accessing music education. Bruce himself was awarded a scholarship to study cello and composition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, aged 16, and was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate Of Music by the music school.
The new foundation will honour the legacy of the icon Jack Bruce by investing in musical talent of the future. The first initiative the foundation is supporting from funds raised at Jam For Jack will be facilitating children from Haringey, North London, in performing at The Royal Albert Hall on 18 March as part of the Haringey Schools Music Festival.
But for tonight, the atmosphere at the launch of Jam For Jack was one of reverence, nostalgia and celebration. From the electrifying renditions of Bruce’s classics to the tender, heartfelt stories shared by his family, Jam For Jack was a fitting tribute to a musical legend.
Jack Bruce’s iconic 1950s Cherry Red EB-1 Violin Bass is on display at the Gibson Garage London until 20 March 2025. This is a lasting reminder of his profound impact on rock and blues history.
The Jack Bruce Foundation website is in progress and can be visited here.
You can find out more about the bassman’s legacy at JackBruce.com.
