The funeral of drummer Tony Levin who died on 3 February aged 71 takes place later today at the Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury. An inspiration to the local scene in Birmingham and beyond a special tribute gig has been scheduled for tomorrow at the Rainbow in the city by local organisers Birmingham Jazz.

Tony was due to play with Paul Dunmall and bass player Nick Jurd, a final student at the Conservatoire that Tony had spotted. Tony’s son Miles will now take part along with Mark Sanders replacing Tony in an early tribute to the great drummer. Levin was born on 30 January 1940 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire and early in his career played extensively at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in the 1960s with artists including Joe Harriott, Al Cohn, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Zoot Sims, and Toots Thielemans.

His first major break came when he joined Tubby Hayes' Quartet (1965-9). He worked with numerous groups and artists, including the Alan Skidmore quintet (1969), Humphrey Lyttelton band (1969), John Taylor Trio & Sextet (1970s), Ian Carr's Nucleus (1970s), Stan Sulzmann quartet, Gordon Beck's Gyroscope, duo with John Surman (1976), European Jazz Ensemble, Third Eye (1979), Rob van den Broeck (1982), Philip Catherine's trio and quartet (1990s), Sophia Domancich Trio (with Paul Rogers, double bass; 1991-2000), Philippe Aerts trio and quartet (2000s). He also played on an ongoing basis with bass player Ali Haurand in many different groups. From 1980, Levin worked extensively with saxophonist Paul Dunmall, including as a member of the Quartet Mujician, with Paul Rogers (double bass) and Keith Tippett (piano).

In 1994, Levin released his solo album Spiritual Empathy, again with Dunmall on saxophones. In 2006 he played a trio gig with Dunmall and Rogers featuring Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, Tony Malaby as guests at John Zorn's The Stone in NYC. He later recorded with Dunmall with his son Miles Levin on drums. Levin also ran his own monthly club in Birmingham.

– Stephen Graham and Mike Flynn

All proceeds to tomorrow’s gig at the Rainbow will be donated to Blues Chairs, the Shropshire Blood Trust Fund.

For more go to www.birminghamjazz.co.uk