Oliver Weindling writes:
Adam was the mover and shaker behind much of the revival of Dalston, in a manner sensitive to the community. Certainly a visionary. As head of Hackney Co-operative Developments (HC), he had overseen the initial improvement of the Bradbury Street offices, on the south side of the Square and helped find the money to build the Dalston Culture House and Gillett Square. The principle was based on that of Richard Florida, who regarded culture as an important motor of regeneration.
If it hadn’t been for Adam Hart, The Vortex wouldn’t be in Dalston! We were starting to look for new premises in 2002, as the old Vortex’s building in Stoke Newington had fallen into the hands of a property speculator. It happened that Adam was at the album launch of a band including his brother, ace violinist Charlie, and I had made a plea, in the introduction of the band, for any suggestions for where we could move. Adam responded! “And the rest is history”, as they say. Adam was also the chair of our charitable foundation.
In the end, HCD in this block ended up as landlord for three live music venues. Not just the Vortex but also SJQ and Dalston Jazz Bar! He also was an adviser to Cafe Oto when it was setting up. So he really was a major influence on Dalston becoming a live music hub.
He himself was an enthusiastic jazz lover, regularly coming to gigs and proudly telling us that he had been to hear Thelonious Monk at the 5 Spot in 1962!
He was also a musician, playing trombone and piano in The People Band. He loved boogie woogie and blues, which was mainly what we heard him playing the piano.
He had a skill at not only understanding the locals here in Dalston – he lived up the road – but had the erudite skills (picked up from a top academic family?) that meant that he knew how to talk to funders and others persuasively.
His attitude was strongly influenced by Buddhism, socialism and more. He won’t be forgotten, as we shall work hard to protect his legacy.