Carnival of Soul

The friends of Slim Miri (55), who died from lung cancer, have organised a night of jazz, funk and soul.

Next Friday the music Mr Miri loved will be played at Krafty J’s in Bath Street between 5pm and 11pm and also at Rojo in Beresford Street between 10pm and 2am.

Money raised will be donated to his family.

DJs Will Udo, Biko Bangs and Stefan Rousseau have organised the event with other friends of Mr Miri.

Having grown up in Paris, Mr Miri moved to Jersey nearly 30 years ago.

A passionate music fan, he first met Biko Bangs in Lords nightclub.

Biko said: ‘He came up to me and said “I hear you play the jazz-funk. I know very good jazz-funk.” I said, “Oh really? Where are you from?” He said “Paris, but Algerian. I know good funk.” So he started reeling off these songs and I thought he might know something.

‘He said: “I’ll come round to your house and play some music.” So he came round to my house and the first track he played was Ashford and Simpson Street Corner, one of my favourite songs.’

Mr Miri was soon introduced to Mr Udo and they became close friends.

‘It’s a big loss to me and I can honestly say he was a true good lad. But our common interests weren’t just music, there was also the mountain-biking. I said: “Come and try it. Come and try the mountain-biking.” And the next minute he had spent about six grand on getting all the kit, trying to keep up with the Joneses.’

Mr Rousseau did not know him as long as the others did, but their first meeting was in typical Slim style.

‘I remember because he almost ran me over with his bike. I had been here for quite a while but still, when something like this happens, you react in French – “O….qu’est-ce que tu fait là?” And he just turned around and said: “Tu es français?” Then immediately we started chatting.’

Mr Miri worked in menswear store Chex for many years before becoming ill.

After receiving treatment in Canada, he returned to the Island earlier this year.

‘I remember seeing him the first time he got back, just outside Burton’s and I was so pleased to see him,’ said Mr Bangs.

‘I started to cry, we both did. I said I was really pleased to see he was in one piece and straight away he started to talk about music. He said:”I’ve got to come round. I’ve got some new funk.”

‘All my memories of Slim are to do with funk, soul and jazz, happiness and good times.’

In keeping with Islamic custom, Mr Miri – who leaves a wife and daughter – was buried on the day he died.

‘The last time I saw him we were playing jazz-funk at the Fête de St Helier,’ said Mr Rousseau.

‘As I knew he was around, I played a bit differently and he said: “C’est bon, c’est bon.” So I felt the need to do something and the family suggested raising some money to help.’

Mr Udo continued: ‘His wife came from Algeria and she only knows us lot.

‘It’s only right that we should do something and get a bit of cash together and help her along the way.’