ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF XERO SLINGSBY ONE-SHOT

"In 1982, the 'saxophone playing tramp of Leeds', Xero Slingsby, wrote a short story about one day in his life. He recounts his day scrouging pennies off Boar Lane, to busking in Huddersfield, battling bobbies, bystanders and prude shop managers, all with his signature humour and anarchist humility, whilst documenting the changing industrial landscape and societal attitudes of northern cities in the 1980s. Xero Slingsby, AKA Matthew Coe, is a legendary figure in the Leeds jazz scene, arrested over 40 times for busking. Having recorded two albums with his band The Works (1985-86), he was a pioneering powerhouse of punk, free wave, DIY jazz, and although he tragically died in 1988 at just age 30, his legacy is still felt today.

I came across Xero’s story through the wonderful 2023 documentary, and with support and a beautiful biography from Sally Coe, have adapted it into a short comic. It is 24 pages, B&W, and at size A6, fits perfectly into your back pocket or saxophone case."