Leeds pensioners create fundraising video during lockdown for band member with terminal cancer

The ‘753 lockdowns’ recorded their music video over Zoom and by mobile phone from their homes to raise money for the charity close to the four member’s hearts.

Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons’ jazz standard ‘All of Me’ was recorded by the Leeds friends after the members could not have their usual rehearsals in person due to the pandemic.

The band chose to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research after singer Stan Glucksman, aged 72, has been living with incurable cancer after having been diagnosed two years ago.

Stan said: "I am very proud of our version of ‘All Of Me’ as I was diagnosed with incurable cancer two years ago and I hope this song helps raise much needed funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research as well as giving people pleasure."

The group of four who all reside in Moortown and Alwoodley have been friends for 'very many years' and used to meet up regularly to rehearse at 84-year-old keyboard and harmonica player Morton Shapero's home, number 753.

Other band members include Phil Cammerman, aged 78, on the clarinet and guitar player Loz Levin, aged 66.

Clarinettist Phil said: “We miss playing together so much. The pandemic has affected everyone’s lives and this project has been hugely positive for all of us.”

The group last performed live together at a fundraising gig at a school in Moortown towards the end of 2019.

Simon Marcus, of Moortown video production company Addictive Media, recorded and mixed their video and said the boys were so professional and talented that they laid down their contributions within one or two takes.

He said: “They had a lot to cope with as they were involved in a Zoom session, playing along to a guide track from the keyboard player with headphones and also recording their contributions live on their own mobile phones, which they then needed to send all their audio files.

“Once I had their individual recordings, I mixed the audio to make it sound as if they were live in the same room.”

Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, Dr Kathryn Scott, said: “The 753 Lockdown’s version of ‘All Of Me’ is a total earworm and I can’t get it out of my head.

“It’s heart-warming when people are able to turn difficult times into something positive.

“I think they’ve all done a fantastic job and we are grateful that they have decided to raise funds to support vital research in Yorkshire.”

The band hopes to raise £1,000 with their version of the 1931 song.

Donations can be made here.