A relative of Bob Marley who grew up living with the late legend has joined forces with a Holmfirth businesswoman to make an album featuring five of Bob’s sons.

Keyboard player James Malcolm – known as Jimmy – was here to visit Anne Charlesworth and her family from Scholes when he held an impromptu gig in the village’s Boot and Shoe Inn.

Anne, Jimmy and one of Bob’s sons, Stephen, have formed a company called Omeriah Music and are recording an album of Bob’s classic reggae songs with a classical twist which will feature all of Bob’s five sons performing on it. 

Jimmy’s mum and Bob’s mum were sisters so he spent many years alongside his cousin Bob, including UK tours, so has some amazing stories to tell.

Bob’s sons involved in the album are Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Julian and Ky-Mani with the plan for a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall featuring a full orchestra next August after the album, which has the working title The Sons of Bob, is released.

Anne took Jimmy into the Boot and Shoe to meet landlord David Whiteley who is a massive music fan and has been a DJ for many years.

The two got chatting and Jimmy, who is classically-trained, asked about doing a gig at the pub the next day – even though he didn’t have his keyboard or any musicians with him.

The village rallied round, got together some great musicians and the gig went ahead, giving everyone a night to remember.

It was rapidly organised by pub regular Alan Wilcoxson and his friend James Monroe who brought in highly skilled Huddersfield drummer Marc Layton-Bennett, duo Ronni Hart and Phillip Cluskey who perform as Little And Often and singer-songwriter James Leslie. PA and sound was sorted by Phillip’s friend, Connor.

Practice space was provided by HD9 Community Music based at Thongsbridge.

Anne, who is a business consultant for the NHS and runs an equestrian farm that rehomes and reschools racehorses, said: “I can’t believe it was all pulled together so quickly and it was a spectacular event.

“Jimmy had such a great time and was bowled over by the skills of the musicians brought in to help, especially Marc on the drums who left him open-mouthed and Jimmy has worked with some of the best musicians in the world.

“It was just the best atmosphere.”

She said Jimmy would be staying with her at Christmas so they may do another gig then.

The classic Bob Marley songs they did included Don’t Worry, No Woman No Cry and Buffalo Soldier.

Nineteen-year-old musician James Leslie, of Almondbury, who performed Three Little Birds with Jimmy, said: “Jimmy was such a lovely man to chat to but the music he played was on another level. He truly understands music and the message he’s trying to send with it that Bob Marley was pushing for.”

Jimmy, who was staying at Coddys farm shop B&B and Events Barn in Holmbridge, said: “I have some great memories of a wonderful night at the pub. Does that now make me a regular?

“I’m overwhelmed by the love of the community which will stay with me. I feel so fortunate and privileged to experience such love from everyone. Thank you for one of the best experiences ever.”

Boot and Shoe landlady Debbie Whiteley said: “Jimmy just loved the intimacy of the gig and was overwhelmed by the Yorkshire hospitality. We had about 60 people in the pub and everyone was blown away by it. Looking back, it now seems surreal.”

To view a video of the gig search Facebook for Boot and Shoe Inn.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.