There has been a lot of community support for the Monday impromptu improvised jazz sessions that were being held on Hilly Fields on Mondays from about 4pm. However, these sessions have now been shut down by the police from what we understand.
We were alerted to this by a concerned resident whose garden backs onto Hilly Fields telling us that their entire neighbourhood was very supportive of the events and thoroughly enjoyed the music from their gardens. Word has it that the concerts also enjoyed the support of Mayor Damien Egan as well as Lewisham Deptford MP, Vicky Foxcroft. Starting around 4pm and always wrapping up promptly before 9pm, the sessions attracted small family groups and social bubbles all ‘sensibly distanced and with a very peaceful and happy vibe’ according to our source.
The rumour is that the police shut these concerts down due to safety concerns due Coronavirus related safety concerns, but our source was unable to get a confirmation about this from the local police force. There are reports that the musicians have been granted a licence to play outdoors in a neighbouring borough.
There is a valid argument it seems for calling for these or similar concerts to continue: the local blog, Transpontine, argues that there is a history to innovative and vibrant jazz music in Lewisham. Similarly, our source makes the valid argument that with Lewisham crowned London Borough of Culture 2021, it would be a great start to encourage these young jazz musicians back to Hilly Fields at least until the end of the summer.
What are your thoughts on this? Did you catch the Monday jazz sessions on Hilly Fields? Did you enjoy them? Are you one of the musicians that played there? Let us know!