Michael Arvanitakis helped produce this album to honour his murdered friend and Belgrave musician, Darren Jones. 46969
By Casey Neill
FRIENDS of murdered Belgrave musician Darren Jones are determined to share his talent with the world.
They recently produced and released an 18-track album featuring some of Jones’s best work.
Friend Michael Arvanitakis said Jones was ‘such a world class musician, we just want to get his music out there to a wider audience’.
‘I just feel like it’s something I had to do,’ he said.
‘It’s the least I could do.
‘I’m sure he would have been thrilled with it.’
The Music of Darren Jones features songs dating back to 1998 from several bands Jones performed and recorded with.
‘Darren was just a perfect fit for so many different styles, so this gives a good representation of all the things he did,’ Mr Arvanitakis said.
‘There’s a term, someone can be a musician’s musician.
‘I don’t know exactly what it means but I think it means someone who just slots into a band and other musos are like ‘yeah, he’s the man’.’
Five tracks Jones penned are also on the CD.
‘He wasn’t a very prolific writer,’ Mr Arvanitakis said. ‘But he was a brilliant guitarist, virtuosic guitarist.
‘At the same time he could be very understated, he wouldn’t just play a million notes to show off, he’d be artistic about it.’
Family, friends and former band mates launched the CD at East Brunswick Club on 14 March this year ‘ a day before Jones’s birthday. ‘There was great music and a good vibe,’ Mr Arvanitakis said. ‘The lead up to it was certainly emotional.’
Jones was catching a train home from a class at Victorian College of the Arts when he was stabbed three times in an unprovoked attack in February 2006. He was 28 and left behind a son, Jett, who’s now 5.
Proceeds from the $25 album will go into a trust fund for Jett.
The Music of Darren Jones is available from Belgrave Manor Earthly Pleasures Cafe and Guitar Guru in Belgrave, Manuka Whole Foods in Upwey, Bodhi Tree Café and Grind and Groove Alternative Music Bar in Healesville and Wild Thyme Café in Warburton.
Alternatively, send an email to prajnarv@gmail.com to order a copy.
