Two young jazz musicians from Thanet are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. On August 4th, Reuben-James Gilbert and Ollie Canham begin a four-week tour of China, travelling from Beijing to Hong Kong via cities including Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, and Guangzhou.
They’ll perform 18 gigs over 26 days at some of China’s most respected jazz venues.
Reuben-James Gilbert (pictured above), 23, is a saxophonist from Broadstairs. He attended Dane Court Grammar School before enrolling at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he is currently entering the final year of his jazz degree.
Ollie Canham (pictured below), also 23 and living in Ramsgate, is a guitarist who grew up between Thanet and Muswell Hill, attending Fortismere School before undertaking his jazz studies at the same conservatoire. He graduated last summer with First Class Honours. The two became fast friends during their studies in Birmingham and have since played together regularly, forming a well-established musical partnership.
Their inspiration for this tour comes from internationally renowned American drummer Doug Sides. Throughout his extraordinary career, Doug performed and recorded with jazz icons such as Sonny Stitt, Johnny Griffin, Phil Woods, Kirk Lightsey, and many others. He eventually settled in Thanet after relocating from Paris 12 years ago.
Reuben-James met Doug at jam sessions at the Lifeboat pub in Margate, where Doug was a regular. Doug quickly became a mentor, providing encouragement and advice. Ollie later got to know Doug too, and both young musicians were deeply influenced by his support and wisdom.
In October 2024, Reuben-James and Ollie were invited by Doug to be his accompanying band for the inaugural Broadstairs Jazz Festival, organised by Will Leeves, landlord of the Magnet micropub in Albion Street. It was a huge honour, and Doug—despite his age—played with incredible energy, serving as the headline act.
As part of the festival, Reuben-James and Ollie also performed with the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Quartet alongside fellow students Nick Manz on bass (a BBC Young Jazz Musician finalist in 2023, notably for piano) and Dom Johnson on drums. Doug joined them onstage and was effusive in his praise for the young players. Although Nick and Dom had only just met Doug that weekend, they were moved by his artistry and warmth.
Tragically, just three days after the festival—and on the eve of his 82nd birthday—Doug passed away. It later emerged that he had been privately battling cancer for years, a fact hidden behind his ever-positive demeanour and tireless playing.
Deeply affected by his passing, the four musicians quickly resolved to form a group dedicated to preserving his memory: The Doug Sides Legacy Band. With the blessing and support of Doug’s wife, Mary-Ann, they were given access to Doug’s original manuscripts, his distinctive stage wardrobe, and his treasured drum kit, which was passed on to Dom.
The band made their debut in Birmingham in November 2024, combining live performance with a multimedia presentation about Doug’s life and music. The show featured rare footage of Doug performing with elite ensembles over the decades, from high-profile US TV appearances to recent gigs in Thanet. A second concert in Ross-on-Wye followed soon after.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, drummer Dom Johnson is unable to join the China tour. Stepping in to complete the quartet is the band’s great friend and collaborator Kefan Hu, a talented drummer from Ningbo, China. Kefan’s musicianship and spirit make him the perfect fit to help carry Doug’s legacy across his home country.
With Kefan on board, the group began promoting the project on Chinese social media. Within days, they were invited to perform in Beijing—and soon after, additional venues across China joined the tour. They now have 18 performances scheduled across 26 days, travelling between cities via high-speed rail.
Though they expect the pace of the tour to be intense, the group sees it as an incredible opportunity to share Doug’s music and life story with a new audience. For them, the tour is not just a tribute—it’s the start of a mission to sustain Doug Sides’ remarkable legacy.
The band will return to Broadstairs this October (3rd–5th) to perform again at the Broadstairs Jazz Festival—closing the circle on where their journey began. Thanet residents will have the chance to hear the music and stories born from their adventure in China.
For those wanting to follow the journey in real time, Reuben-James Gilbert will be sharing behind-the-scenes updates and vlogs on social media (@RJGSax on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube). The band’s story—and Doug’s legacy—will be documented and shared with audiences worldwide.
