A MUSICIAN has been wowing residents with amazing doorstep performances to cheer up his village during the lockdown.

Christian Beck, 50, of Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, has been treating residents to musical performances with his trusty saxophone.

After playing since the age of eight, Christian got to perform with some of the biggest names in music, including the Wailers and Jimmy Cliff, when he lived in Jamaica.

Now the saxophonist is spreading musical cheer among residents by performing two-hour shows every Saturday.

Christian said: “I went over to Jamaica back in the Nineties to work in a children’s home for a year but I ended up staying for six years.

“I mainly worked in the reggae music scene and I’ve managed to get my patois down well.

“I’ve always played the saxophone and I’d be over there jamming with various people and doing some studio work.

“Jamaica is a small country and people knew about me through word of mouth so eventually I’d find myself sharing the studio with some pretty famous artists like the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Shabba Ranks and Maxi Priest.

“I did all kinds of work with them at live concerts and recording in the studio.

“I also met a music producer while I was there called Alan Glass and his brother was working with Whitney Houston at the time.

“They asked if I wanted to go and work with Whitney but I wasn’t able to do it at the time.

“Since I came back from Jamaica I’ve been doing gigs around the UK.

“I’ve had to get a day job to pay the bills and I do that from Monday to Friday but I play on the weekends.

“We started up a little fundraiser for NHS charities to raise £250 on my Facebook page and we actually managed to hit that within the day.”

Passers-by have been stopping to watch and show their support, with Christian’s performances becoming a regular fixture.

Partner Debbie Line, 51, said: “Christian decided to support and cheer up the local community by playing his sax and singing.

“He has been overwhelmed by the comments from people.”

People have been watching from a safe distance.

The performances have also become a favourite of residents and staff at the nearby Forest Home care home who regularly watch Christian play.

Debbie added: “The patients from Forest Home and their wonderful carers have come out to watch.

“It really has lifted people’s spirits and everyone looks forward to hearing him again.

“He comes out on to the doorstep every Saturday afternoon to perform and it’s really quite emotional – it’s really lovely.

“People walking by have been stopping and it’s amazing to see all their support.”

Christian has now set up an online fundraiser for NHS Charities Together.

He aimed to raise £250 but smashed his target in just one day.

To donate, visit Christian's Facebook page at bit.ly/ DoorstepSaxFundraiser.