From the print edition
Hotel Club del Mar was jumping Saturday night, Sept. 1. The resort, perched at the southern end of the central Pacific beach town of Jacó, hosted a book signing and concert to launch David Scott’s new book, “London Boy.”
Celebrating the release in Costa Rica, the concert raised $800 to benefit La Biblioteca y Centro de Aprendizaje de Jacó, a nonprofit library and learning center.
Philip Edwardes, owner of Hotel Club del Mar, said that The British Community Association donated $3,000 to the project, plus another $1,000 to the nearby one-room school house in Pochote.
“I think that a book-signing followed by the concert was a very appropriate charitable event to raise funds for a library and learning center,” said Edwardes. “It’s with the deepest gratitude that we thank the Brits, David Scott, his wife Margie Scott, plus musicians Steve Arvey and Nancy Buchan. Without their dedicated help these extremely worthwhile projects would still be an impossible dream.”
David Scott’s memoir, “London Boy,” is a fascinating read and remarkable tale of his life, from his birth in the East End of London to the present day. Scott takes you on a whirlwind journey and personal adventure, as he vividly describes how he survived whatever life threw at him by using his quick wit, street smarts and undeniable Cockney personality.
He leads you from the backstreets of London to Franco’s Spain, the life of the rich and famous in California, the unforgettable ’60s and ’70s, plus the world of jazz, blues and rock-n-roll. He tells of how he confronted poverty, crime and punishment, drugs, sex, the depths of despair and the euphoric heights of happiness, love and success that will make you laugh and cry.
When asked how he came to write “London Boy” he said, “It all started with scribbled memories, making my life accountable and what I had done. I’m no literary genius,” he added with a laugh. “My wife Margie persuaded me to start writing a book and I admit I had many stumbling blocks, but would listen to my music collection, which reminded me of people, locations and events in my past.”
Scott arrived in Costa Rica in 1990 and developed skills like cooking, owning a nightclub, writing poetry and songwriting on the fly.
He had come on the advice of a friend, who was working on the movie “1492.”
“I went to the wrong coast and never found where they were shooting,” he chuckles. Nevertheless, he stayed and subsequently became the morning DJ on 107.5. Known as “Dave the Dude,” he was a household name for 10 years, and with his wry humor and London barrow-boy accent, he delighted both English-speaking expats and Costa Ricans alike.
“Dave the Dude” was famous for his wake-up call, and he had a dedicated following wherever The Blind Pig Blues Band played. In 2011, he was named the godfather of blues at the Costa Rica International Blues Festival. After all, he had introduced blues to Costa Rica.
The band had been on hiatus while Scott was working on his book, and their comeback Saturday night was received with enthusiastic applause by friends and fans in the overflowing Hotel Club del Mar bar.
The concert featured Scott, a vocalist, and Chicago Blues legend Steve Arvey, who tours as an electric and solo acoustic artist and has played throughout Europe, the U.S. and Australia. Arvey and Scott have performed together for 12 years and are recording an album of new songs they have written.
Nancy Buchan, a New Orleans musician who now lives south of Jacó in the small beach community of Dominical, plays the electric and acoustic violin. She has recorded with Jimmy Buffet, the legendary Coco Robicheaux and Costa Rica’s Manuel Obregón, plus she has her own all-girls band.
Having made their comeback, The Blind Pig Blues Band will continue entertaining blues fans at venues on the coast and around town, including Jazz Café.
“London Boy” can be purchased at www.amazon.com for $14.99, and also at www.barnes&noble.com and W.H. Smith in England. Librería Internacional is planning to carry the book in Costa Rica.
