Music community rallies, funds fight against COVID-19 for Derek Julien

RENOWNED BLUES MUSICIAN BATTLES FOR LIFE

Well-known artistes and fans of the accomplished guitarist, 70, are taking to social media to issue appeals, trying to ensure that he gets good care during a difficult phase for all

Widely recognised as one of the finest blues musicians in India, 70-year-old Derek Julien is today fighting for his life at Jehangir Hospital. Julien, whose condition is said to be critical, was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the facility due to a severe COVID-19 infection about a fortnight ago. He has also developed pneumonia. Although the guitarist’s deteriorating health augurs a bleak moment for the music scene in the city, what’s encouraging, however, is that Julien is receiving monetary support from fellow musicians and well-wishers to meet the astronomical cost of the coronavirus disease treatment.

His wife Maria Julien and daughter Danielle Julien were also infected by the virus three weeks ago, but the musician’s condition worsened as his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. The family resides at a society in Viman Nagar.

Soon after Julien’s health went downhill, Roger Dragonette, who is his brother-in-law and a musician himself, uploaded a song that they had recorded on YouTube as an appeal for help — and that’s when he started receiving phenomenal support from musicians across the country, including Ehsaan Noorani of the famous Bollywood music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and Rudy Wallang, a blues musician from Shillong. Noorani and Wallang posted heartfelt messages on Facebook encouraging people to help Julien. A gig was also organised in Goa on April 12 to raise funds for the senior guitarist.

Dr Lalit Shimpi was approached by local musicians Albert Dennis and Christopher Fonseca to help Julien find a hospital. “I decided to put in a word, since I am attached to Jehangir Hospital. I also chipped in a little to help the family,” said Dr Shimpi, who pursues music as a hobby. “I check on him every alternate day. He has a high requirement for oxygen, and he is still not out of the woods,” he added.

Gerry Rebello, a musician and an acclaimed experience designer, also contributed to help the ailing guitarist. “Derek is like a candle flame, burning and guiding aspiring musicians and music lovers — he is an inspiration to all,” said Rebello. Ashwin Panemangalore, founder of the Pune Jazz and Blues Club, echoed Rebello’s respect for Julien. “Derek is easily the best blues guitarist in the country, who has entertained thousands of people. So I think it is imperative for us to support an artiste like him, or be it an Indian classical musician or a ghazal singer, because they have nothing else to fall back on,” said Panemangalore.

Maria and Danielle are hopeful that Julien will soon recover. “The doctors are not too sure when my father will recuperate. He is on antibiotics right now, the results of which are yet to be seen,” informed Danielle. She posted an update on Wednesday on the WhatsApp group Derek’s Friends, which was created to inform well-wishers about his condition. The message read: “Derek’s oxygen levels were better today, staying consistently above 90 per cent on high-flow. However, his condition is still critical and he is being monitored closely. We should know by tomorrow whether the antibiotics have taken effect.”

Julien was born and brought up in Bombay, but he later moved to Pune. He was a part of the band Waterfront, which in 1973 became the first Indian band to tour Europe. The group comprised distinguished musicians such as Trilok Gurtu and Ranjit Barot. Before being hospitalised, the guitarist spent much of his time in Goa playing gigs.