ABOUT

"I started the Steve Reid Foundation as a tribute to a legendary musician, an inspiring human being and a good friend. Steve Reid was a phenomenal jazz drummer from New York, who worked with many of the music greats like Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Sun Ra. His illustrious career was also marked by innovation, experimentation and breaking frontiers, especially through his collaborations with Keiran Hebden (Four Tet). 

In 2009, Steve was diagnosed with throat cancer, and it was during one of my visits to New York that I became aware of the extent of his suffering. I was horrified by the conditions he was living in during his last days. He was practically living in near poverty, and he couldn’t afford the medical treatment he needed that might have saved his life. Steve died in 13 April 2010. 

Steve is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Aside from having enormous talent, the most incredible stories and a zest for life, he had a big heart and a generous spirit, and to this day I feel humbled when I remember how modest he was. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Steve Reid’s life than to start a charity to help other musicians in his name.If you love music like I do, please support the people making it." - Gilles Peterson