At Bernard Sunley, our Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home, the care team hosted a ‘jazz-tastic’ Jazz Café event for the music loving residents to celebrate this year’s Jazz Appreciation Month. The event was a huge success – everyone’s Jazz Hands were waving and would have made Bob Fosse proud.
“Many of the residents enjoy all genres of music, including Jazz,” said Andy Cumper, the Registered Manager at Bernard Sunley. “We were having a relaxing reminiscing afternoon and the subject of who was the greatest Jazz performer came up. It was quite a debate – Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basse, Dave Brubeck, Nat King Cole and quite a few more well-known performers were chatted about. I was so impressed by their knowledge.”
“It was such a great conversation, we thought it would be a fun idea to host our very own Jazz Café,” added Monika Ahmed, one of Bernard Sunley’s Activities Coordinators. “We contacted Michael Lack, a wonderful Jazz performer who not only sings, but also plays the Saxophone. Michael was happy to come along.”
Michael made sure he performed the residents’ favourite songs. “Playing and singing for the elderly is such a privilege,” said Michael. “The Bernard Sunley residents certainly know their Jazz. I covered songs by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Matt Munro – plus a few more. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and singing along.”
Resident, Margaret Carr who has lived at Bernard Sunley since January 2023, loves Frank Sinatra. “My all time favourite song by ‘Old Blue Eyes’ is ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, I’ve loved it since the first time I heard it.”
Vivian Best, who has been a resident at the care home since August 2022 agreed. “The best Frank Sinatra song for me has to be ‘My Way’, it’s such a classic.” 99-year-old resident, Brian Moore is another Sinatra fan. “’Strangers in the Night’ has to be one of the best songs Frankie ever sang,” he added.
With their eclectic tastes, the Bernard Sunley residents also enjoy other Jazz songs. Daphne Sharman, who has been a resident at the care home since September 2022 is partial to Miles Davis. “’Kind of Blue’ is a beautiful song”, she added. “You can’t go wrong with ‘Smile’ by Nat King Cole,” continued 79–year-old resident, Michael Ellis. “For me, it has to be ‘L-O-V-E’ by Nat King Cole,” added resident, Helen Wright.
“The residents are great singers,” continued Andy. “They truly enjoy music and are always in good voice at our regular sing-alongs. We have a wide and varied calendar, full of meaningful activities, but our visiting entertainers and singers are definite favourites.”
To set the café scene, Monika and Ewelina Wagner, the care home’s other Activities Coordinator, transformed Bernard Sunley’s Smiles Café into a ‘Jazz-tastic’ space, complete with themed decorations, sweet treats, cocktails and mocktails.
“It was such a success that we now have a Jazz event every other month,” continued Andy. “They are the new highlight on our activities calendar. My dog is aptly named Jazz and is at Bernard Sunley with me every day, and she will often pop into the events to listen to the music too.”
“Listening to music can offer several benefits for older people,” added Monika. “I have noticed how the music positively impacts their moods and helps them to relax.
“In addition, it’s wonderful to see our residents who are living with advanced dementia joining in and singing along to their favourite Jazz songs.”
“As Louis Armstrong once said, ‘To Jazz, or not to Jazz, there is no question’ and I think the residents all agree,” concluded Andy.
Find out more about Bernard Sunley care home by calling 01483 764 300 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.