1/06/08
Rick Wakeman has been confirmed as Master of Ceremonies for The Sunflower Jam 2008.
BOOK NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spaces are becoming limited for this years event. Please book now to avoid disapointment. Click here for booking details
10/05/08
THE SUNFLOWER JAM ON MYSPACE!
The Sunflower Jam now has a myspace page. Please visit us there at www.myspace.com/thesunflowerjam
20/04/08
THE SUNFLOWER JAM 2008 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
THE THIRD SUNFLOWER JAM EVENT IS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE PORCHESTER HALLS, LONDON W2 ON 25TH SEPTEMBER OF 2008.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE CONFIRMED DEEP PURLPE TO PLAY THIS YEARS EVENT WITH JON LORD GUESTING ON KEYBOARDS. IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS THAT HE HAS JOINED THE BAND ON STAGE.
OTHER ARTISTS WILL BE CONFIRMED AT A LATER DATE. EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED.
23/03/08
Video added! Go to the media page to see video clips fom BBC news 24 who provided coverage of the Sunflower Jam 2007 event.
16/03/08
Welcome to the new website!
Our new look website is now up and running. Please be patient whilst we continue to add more media and iron out any teething problems. Be sure to add your email to our mailing list so we can keep you informed of any important news. Thank you!
06/11/07
Jacky and Ian win an award!
On the 5th November 2007 at the Classic Rock Awards, Jacky and Ian Paice received the Childline award in recognition of their philanthropic work with the SunflowerJam raising money for children with cancer. Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden presented them with the award. It was the first time the award has been given.
21/09/07
On Thursday 20th September 2007, Jacky Paice hosted her second a fabulously unique and intimate rock ‘n’ roll charity evening of dinner and musical entertainment
The Sunflower Jam 2007 at The Porchester Halls, London W2 in aid of the Complementary Therapy Team working within cancer services at UCLH who are building the bridge between traditional and complementary fields of medicine - was an amazing evening featuring an incredible one off line up of musicians in an intimate atmosphere and was a resounding success, raising a substantial amount of money for the charity and awareness for the wonderful work of The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust which is supported by HRH The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health. BBC 24 were also there to interview guests and capture the event which was featured on their entertainment programme.
As celebrities including familiar faces, Kathy Lette, Frida from ABBA, Damon Hill, Sinead Cusack and Sir John Mortimer arrived with the dinner guests, fans and photographers gathered outside the venue.
The evening started with a Champagne Reception on the Grand Staircase sponsored by The Crooked Billet Restaurant, the mood was enhanced by the attendance of beautiful belly dancers as guests made their way in to the main hall, past display boards explaining the support given to patients, families and staff by the therapists involved with The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust.
In the glitzy Moroccan style hall – transformed by Timothy Dray, the evening heated up quickly as guests watched the tantalisingly gorgeous Mia Serra and the Marshalla Belly Dance Company performing as drinks were served. Paul Clerehugh of The Crooked Billet's delicious culinary delights for the evening were brought to the table while Organic Jam fed the guests ears with funky ethnic beats. Guests were then teased in to buying raffle tickets and warmed up generally for the rest of the evening.... another dance by the girls, the auction and the band.
Angie Buxton King and Graham King were next up, as co-directors of The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust and they explained the work of the charity, thanked everyone for their involvement and introduced a short but very moving documentary featuring some of the children and families who had received treatment this past year (a couple of whom were at the dinner) and some of the Doctors including Dr Maria Michelagnoli, Consultant Paediatric/Adolescent Oncologist at UCLH, who from a medical angle, endorsed the belief that healing is an integral part of the services that patients in the ward receive and that complementary therapies are not just a luxury but an essential part of the patient experience. Their speeches and the film were received with rapturous but respectful applause in the room.
The auction featuring rare memorabilia and a raffle were next on the agenda and auctioneer of the evening, Henry Wyndham, chairman of Sotheby’s, was introduced and encouraged by the cheerful and witty compere for the evening Jeremy Irons and between them, with some incredible lots, including: a Stella McCartney goodie bag, a signed Fender telecaster Status Quo guitar, a Music Man Sub guitar signed by all current members of Deep Purple and former member Jon Lord with the lyrics to Smoke On The Water hand written by Ian Gillan, an Ian Paice drum head signed by all the artists, Roadie for a day with Status Quo, a Yamaha RGX A2 guitar signed by all the artists on the night, a signed Paul McCartney book, a signed Oasis disc, Ian Paices Silver Sparkle drum kit, a signed ACDC LP vinyl box set, a signed snare drum and some statues that were donated by a guest on the evening. Guests were tempted to part with their money and purchase pieces of rock n roll history including bidding in advance of it even being done... for the painting to be created later on that night of the band playing by painter Craig Kilford as part of his ongoing project - 'Its only rock n roll (and I paint it)'
Kathy Lette and Jeremy Irons then drew the tickets for the raffle with some wonderful prizes kindly donated by supporters of the event. Finally, before the music began Jacky was joined on stage by Don Bernsteine on behalf of The Hard Rock Café who presented her with a cheque for £30,000.00.
An intimate evening of Rock n Roll was promised and delivered and what a band! With performances from Status Quo, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Steve White, Gary Moore, Roger Glover, Linda Lewis, Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens, Nick Fyffe, Margo Buchanan, Murray Gould, Steve Balsamo, Phil Manzanera, Aitch McRobbie and Ray Cooper. Band and guest artists made light work of new renditions of their own and other's songs such as She’s a Woman (The Beatles), My Baby Just Cares (Nina Simone), Alright Now (Free), Red House (Jimi Hendrix) Walking by Myself (Gary Moore) and Quo classics Down Down, Caroline and Rocking All Over The World amongst others and had the guests dancing between tables and at the front as well known tunes filled the hall.
As carriages arrived, guests left with happy faces and some great memories of a truly spectacular one off night, already wondering what next years might entail and how it could possibly top the night they had just enjoyed.
The event was recorded for posterity, by photographer Fin Costello who donated some of his signed historic rock n roll photos for the auction and whose pictures are featured on this website
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