MORE than 200 mourners packed a Redbridge church for the funeral of one of the Caribbean's most celebrated jazz musicians.

An army of friends, family and fans filled Gants Hill Methodist Church to pay their last respects to Sonny Bradshaw, who died from a stroke on October 10 aged 83.

Mr Bradshaw was considered one the most important Caribbean musicians of his generation - a status that was underlined by the presence at the funeral of the Jamaican High Commissioner to Britain, Burchill Whiteman, who delivered the eulogy.

The island's former president, PJ Patterson, even sent a message of condolence to Mr Bradshaw's family - which was read out by his wife during the service on Sunday.

Among the many musicians in attendance was Michael 'Bami' Rose, the former saxophonist with British reggae band, Aswad, together with dozens of other performers who had worked with, or been inspired by Mr Bradshaw.