Preparations are in full swing for next week’s fundraising concert - ‘‘Salute To Craig Reeves’’ - celebrating the work of founding member and bass player of Dunedin band Oxo Cubans.
Mr Reeves died peacefully in Dunedin late last year at the age of 72.
Fellow Oxo Cubans founding member Doug Wright said the concert was a celebration of Mr Reeves’ community work.
‘‘Craig was a very private person and he didn't want any funerals or memorials,’’ he said.
‘‘We're not calling it a tribute, we're just calling it a salute ... a thank you for everything that he's done for the community.’’
The concert’s proceeds would be divided between Otago Community Hospice and Ross Home - two organisations close to Mr Reeves’ heart.
‘‘We've done a lot of shows over the years supporting the hospice and now that he's not there, it's kind of weird, because he was the instigator of the band.’’
For the past 15 years, Mr Reeves had worked as an entertainment co-ordinator for Ross Home - then a resident when he became ill, Mr Wright said.
‘‘He was there for about six weeks before he passed away and the care that they took of him was exemplary.
‘‘They donated the room for him for that period.’’
Mr Wright said he and drummer Marcel Rodeka had been in two minds about organising the show because of Mr Reeves’s desire for privacy, but: ‘‘he also wanted the band to keep going’’.
Mr Wright said it would be great to fill the theatre as all the acts - included Oxo Cubans ‘‘past and present’’ - were performing for free.
Otago Community Hospice chief executive Ginny Green said the organisation was ‘‘honoured’’ by the charity concert.
Mr Reeves had been an advocate of the hospice for almost 20 years and was very community-orientated.
‘‘It’s not the first time he has supported us,’’ she said.
‘‘I think he would be stoked, any opportunity to get a group of outstanding musos together would make his heart soar.’’
The concert will be held at the Mayfair Theatre on Thursday. Tickets are available online.
