text:
This page gives general links to jazz musicians, many who have now passed through the Departure Lounge and there are links to their obituaries. As time has passed, some of these links might no longer work; some newspapers have changed their obituary pages and access to them. As you will see, there are too many references here to continually check them all.
Where there are musicians who at one time or another played with Sandy Brown, links are in yellow, all other musicians' details are in white.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-UandV -W - Y -Z
|John Abercrombie
|b. 16.12.1944
d. 22.8.2017
|Born in New York to immigrant parents from Scotland, guitarist John Abercrombie's early interest in country and rock music became influenced by the jazz of Wes Montgomery and Barney Kessel. Graduating from Berklee School of Music he joined Chico Hamilton's band and with other young musicians began exploring the range of jazz from avant garde / tradition / and rock. From the 1970s he began to record for the ECM label playing in notable collaborations with people such as Jack DeJohnette, Gato Barbieri and Dave Holland. In 2012 he started working with a more traditionally structured but equally distinctive quartet, featuring his longtime associate Marc Copland on piano. That group recorded two albums for ECM, "39 Steps" and "Up and Coming." For John's obituary click here: John Abercrombie.
|Beegie Adair
|b. 11.12.1937
d. 23.1.2022
|Bobbe 'Beegie' Adair was an American pianist and bandleader bron in Kentucky. She partnered with Denis Solee in 1982 to establish the Adair–Solee Quartet, which eventually became the sextet Be-Bop Co-Op. Adair released her first solo album in her name with Escape to New York (1998).She later formed the Beegie Adair Trio, which has sold over 1.5 million albums. Beegie appeared on more than 100 recordings over her career lasting 60 years. Of these, 37 were recorded by her namesake trio, which consisted of Adair, bassist Roger Spencer and percussionist Chris Brown. She was also an adjunct professor of jazz studies at the Blair School of Music in Vanderbilt University. Obituaries: Wikipedia : New York Times : Billboard :
|Johnny Alf
|b. 19.5.1929
d. 4.3.2010
|(Alfredo Jose da Silva) pianist who studied classical music and jazz in Brazil and played at the Hotel Plaza in Copacabana with others including Antonio Carlos Jobim as Bossa Nova was born. For Johnny's obituary click here: Johnny Alf
|Rashied Ali
|b. 1.7.1933
d. 12.8.2009
|(born Robert Patterson) Progressive drummer who played in the John Coltrane Quartet and with Sonny Rollins, Henry Grimes and Sonny Fortune. For Rashied's obituary click here: Rashied Ali
|Geri Allen
|b. 12.6.1957
d. 27.6.2017
American pianist and educator born in Michigan and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where she received a Master's degree in Ethnomusicology. She played with bassists Charlie Haden and Ron Carter and drummers Paul Motian and Tony Williams, and later played with Betty Carter's Quartet and became one of the first pianists since the 1950s to make a commercial recording with the free-jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman. She went on to spend 10 years as an educator at the University of Michigan, becoming a sought-after mentor to young musicians, and in 2013 she returned to the University of Pittsburgh as the director of its jazz studies program. In 2014, she helped found the All-Female Jazz Residency, a summer program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for young jazz musicians in their teens and twenties. For Geri's obituary click here: Geri Allen.
|Henry 'Red' Allen
b. 7.1.1908
|American trumpeter from Luisiana who played with King Oliver, Luis Russell and Fletcher Henderson. Visited London in 1964 and 1966 when Sandy played with him at the Westminster Central Hall and when he joined Sandy's band at the Six Bells in Chelsea. (Live private recordings not issued). More about Red Allen.
|Tony Allen
|b. 12.8.1940
d. 30.4.2020
|Nigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter who lived and worked in France. Tony Allen began playing drums at the age of 18, while working as an engineer for a radio station. He was influenced by music his father listened to Jùjú, a popular Yoruba music from the 1940s, but also American jazz, and the growing Highlife scene in Nigeria and Ghana. He went on to be the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70 from 1968 to 1979, and was one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music. Fela once stated that, "without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat." For more about Tony click here: Tony Allen. The Guardian obituary : The Telegraph obituary : The New York Times obituary :
|Mose Allison
|b. 11.11.1927
d. 15.11.2016
|American jazz / blues pianist, singer and songwriter from Mississippi who in the 1950s worked with Al Cohn, Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan. His work became more popular in style but he never forgot his jazz influences. For Mose's obituary click here: Mose Allison.
|Ernestine Anderson
b. 11.11.1928
|American vocalist born in 1928 in Texas. Her father sang in a gospel quartet. At 12 she won a talent contest and a weekly spot with Russell Jacquet's big band. In 1952 she joined Lionel Hampton's big band. In 1958 she released the album Hot Cargo with Harry Arnold's band, appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival and a year later won the New Star Critic's award in Down Beat magazine. From the 1970s she recorded 15 albums, won Grammy awards and sang with many leading jazz musicians. Click here for Ernestine's obituary: Ernestine Anderson.
|Fred Anderson
|b. 22.3.1929
d. 24.6.2010
|The 'free jazz' tenor saxophonist was born in Louisiana but made his home in Chicago where he founded the jazz club the Velvet Lounge. Cado Bell points out that on the Club's website, Anderson is quoted as saying: 'I got fascinated over this music, and I just wanted to make a contribution. It ain't nothing but folk music, like Hungarian folk music. It is all the same thing. That's why I think Bartok is so good. He was playing and writing Hungarian folk music.' Anderson was also a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. For Fred's obituary click here: Fred Anderson.
|Norrie Anderson
|d. 12. 2009
|Banjo player with the early Sandy Brown Jazz band and close friend of trumpeter Al Fairweather. Went on to teaching art in Scotland. More about Norrie Anderson.
|Ernie Andrews
|b. 25.12.1927
d. 21.2.2022
|American vocalist born in Philadelphia. He was a member of the Harry James Orchestra and recorded with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut Band, Gene Harris, Jay McShann, and the Harper Brothers. Andrews played a leading part in the documentary film, Blues for Central Avenue. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Jazz Journal : Billboard :
|John Armatage
|b. 5.8.1929
|Ian Armit
b. 11.4.1929
|Vic Ash
|b. 9.3.1930
d. 24.10.2014
|UK saxophonist and clarinettist born in East London. He joined Kenny Baker's band with Tubby Hayes in 1951 before joining Vic Lewis. He led his own band in the 1950s, hosted a radio programme, Sunday Break, and toured America before returning to play with Lewis in 1959. He continued to play with UK jazz groups, including the BBC Big Band, for many years, recorded several mainstream albums and his autobiography I Blew It My Way was published in 2006. For details of Vic click here: Vic Ash.
|Micky Ashman
|Double Bass
|b. 12.11.1927
d. 21.8.2015
|UK double bass player who initially worked with Jimmy Skidmore, Brian England and Tony Lofthouse and then in a trio with Chris Barber. Mickey went on to play with Mike Daniels, Humphrey Lyttelton, Chris Barber again, Eric Delaney, Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group, and from 1958 led his own band for seven years before working with Monty Sunshine, and then various bands including those of John Petters and Neville Dickey. He was on the recording Al Fairweather and Sandy Brown made with the Humphrey Lyttelton band in September 1953.
|Svend Asmussen
|b. 28.2.1916
d. 7.2.2017
|Danish jazz violinist, one of the first from Scandinavia, who played with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Inspired by Joe Venuti and Stuff Smith, he led a small group in Copenhagen that went on to open for many visiting jazz stars. He recorded with Stéphane Grappelli, Ray Nance, pianist John Lewis and the vibraphonist Lionel Hampton amongst others. He passed through the Departure Lounge in February at the age of 100. For Svend's obituary click here: Svend Asmussen.
|Tony Augarde
|b. 10.4.1936
d. 24.2.2017
|UK "writer, musician and word expert" was in touch with Sandy Brown Jazz from time to to time and I had the pleasure of spending time with him at his home in Oxford. As his daughter says in Tony's obituary, he was "an accomplished jazz drummer, a newspaper arts editor and word quiz broadcaster". At various times he played with British musicians such as Alan Barnes, George Chisholm, Mark Nightingale, Tommy Whittle, Malcolm Creese and Jim Tomlinson. He wrote for Jazz Rag and Crescendo magazines and broadcast a weekly jazz programme for BBC local radio. Click here for our Profile of Tony. He will be missed.
|Bunny Austin
|b. 1923
d. 30.12.2013
|UK trumpeter born in London who started playing with local dance bands (e.g. Bill Stone). He regularly attended Cook's Ferry Inn jazz club until the club closed and he moved with his family to Hampshire. There, he put together a seven-piece band and helped to run the Southampton Jazz Club. He played regularly in the area until he hung up his trumpet in 2003. Click here for our profile of Bunny: Bunny Austin.
|Bela Bagyari
|Donald Bailey
|b. 26.3.1933
d 15.10 2013
|Jari Salo tells us that drummer Donald 'Duck' Bailey has gone through the Departure Lounge. Born in Philadelphia, Donald started to play the drums when he was ten. He joined the Jimmy Smith Group in 1953 and over the following eight years played on many of Jimmy Smith's seminal albums. Moving to Los Angeles in 1965, he joined Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse Stars and accompanied many jazz musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Hampton Hawes and Kenny Burrell. He then moved on to Japan where he played with a number of Japanese musicians. Click here to listen to some of his music. Click here for Donald's obtuary: Donald Bailey
|David Baker
|b. 21.12. 1931
d. 26.3.2016
|American trombonist and cellist who in 1968 founded Indiana's jazz studies program - one of the first of its kind at an American university. He played in the ensembles of Quincy Jones and George Russell and with Gunther Schuller was an original artistic director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. David Baker was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2000 and a Living Jazz Legend by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2007. For David's obituary click here - David Baker.
|Ginger Baker
|b. 19.8.1939
d. 6.10.2019
|The UK born drummer Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is probably best known for his work with the rock band Cream, but in his early days, having taken lessons from jazz drummer Phil Seamen, his later work incorporated a variety of musical genres, including collaborations with jazz bassist Charlie Haden and guitarist Bill Frisell. His lifestyle and personality have been described as 'eccentric' and 'often self destructive' and he was a regular heroin user. Throughout 2013 and 2014, he toured with the Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion, a quartet comprising Baker, saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, bassist Alec Dankworth, and percussionist Abass Dodoo. For more about Ginger Baker click here: Ginger Baker.
|Kenny Baldock
|d. 22.3.2010
|UK bass player who played with Peter King and the John Dankworth Orchestra in the 1960s and also with Freddy Randall and Ronnie Scott amongst others. Click here for more information: Kenny Baldock.
|Kenny Ball
|b. 22.5.1930
d. 7.3.2013
|UK trumpeter and bandleader who was one of the three popular Trad bands of Ball, Barber and Bilk. His 1962 record Midnight In Moscow was a Top Ten hit both in the UK and the USA, and over time he had fourteen singles in the Top 50. He played with Freddy Randall, Charlie Galbraith, Sid Phillips, Terry Lightfoot and Eric Delaney before forming his own band Kenny Ball's Jazzmen and he went on playing under that name untel not long before he died. For Kenny's obituary click here: Kenny Ball
|Billy Bang
|b. 20.9.1947
d. 11.4.2011
|American jazz violinist born William Vincent Walker in Mobile, Alabama. He became a key figure in New York's 'loft jazz' scene of the 1970s. Played with Don Cherry, Frank Lowe, Sam Rivers and Dennis Charles and formed the Jazz Doctors band with Lowe. For Billy's obituary click here: Billy Bang.
|Chris Barber
|b. 17.4.1930
d. 2.3.2021
|UK trombonist and bandleader who was a significant contributor to the revival of traditional jazz in the 1950s / 1960s, was mainly responsible for arranging the first UK tours of blues artists Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and Muddy Waters, and went on touring with his Jazz and Blues Band and The Chris Barber Big Band to large audiences until he retired in 2019. Click here for more about Chris: Chris Barber.. Obituaries: Guardian : Telegraph : Independent :
|Gato Barbieri
b. 28.11.1932
|Argentinian saxophonist who helped expand the audience for Latin jazz, and whose music for the film "Last Tango in Paris" won a Grammy Award. Influenced by John Coltrane, he 'was a prominent member of the jazz avant-garde, making records with the trumpeter Don Cherry, the pianist and composer Carla Bley and others that challenged the music's harmonic and rhythmic conventions. He later developed a more melodic approach that acknowledged his Latin American heritage, and that won him a large and loyal worldwide audience.' For Gato's obituary click here: Gato Barbieri
|Bob Barnard
b. 24.11.1933
|Australian trumpet and cornet player born in Melbourne. Having played with his brother's band, he went on to play with Ray Price and then Graeme Bell's All Stars, the Daly-Wilson Big Band and others. In the 1990 Australia Day Honours Barnard was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "service to music, particularly jazz". Obituaries: Wikipedia : Sydney Morning Herald :
|Bootsie Barnes
|b. 1937 or 1938
d .22.4.2020
|American jazz saxophonist from Philadelphia who played with various musicians including Lee Morgan, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson and Sonny Stitt. He continued to play in his home town and recorded his album "You Leave Me Breathless!" in 1995. He died as a result of the Coronavirus. For more about Bootsie click here: Bootsie Barnes.. The Inquirer obituary.
|John Barnes
|b. 15.5.1932
d. 4.2022
|UK multi-instrumentalist John (Johnny) Barnes was born in Manchester and at 17 started out playing clarinet. Over time he added saxes, flute, drums and vocals to his repertoire. He played with many notable musicians and bands including the Zenith Six, Mike Daniels, Alan Elsdon, the Midnight Follies, Digby Fairweather, Lennie Hastings, Bruce Turner, Roy Williams, Humphrey Lyttelton, Alan Barnes, Martin Litton, the Great British Jazz Band, Tenor Madness - to mention but a few. In 1969 he was named as 'Rising Star' on baritone sax in Downbeat Magazine. Wikipedia : Tribute by Alan Barnes :
|Dave Bartholomew
|b. 24.12.1918
d. 23.6.2019
|American trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer. He was prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century but he also played rhythm and blues, swing, and rock and roll. In the 1970s and 1980s, he led a traditional Dixieland jazz band in New Orleans, releasing an album, Dave Bartholomew's New Orleans Jazz Band, in 1981. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a key figure in the transition from jump blues and swing to R&B and as "one of the Crescent City's greatest musicians and a true pioneer in the rock and roll revolution." For more about Dave click here: Dave Bartholomew.
|Fontella Bass
|b. 3.7.1940
d. 26.12.2012
|American soul, gospel and jazz singer born in Missouri. She had a hit with the song Rescue Me in 1965 and sang with the free jazz Art Ensemble of Chicago. For Fontella's obituary click here: Fontaella Bass.
|Colin 'Barney' Bates
|b. 1.4.1932
|Phil Bates
|Double Bass
|b. 19.6.1931
|Lionel Batiste
|Bass Drum
|b. 11.2.1932
d. 8.7.1912
|'Uncle' Lionel Batiste was a jazz and blues musician from New Orleans. He was bass drummer and vocalist with the Treme Brass Band and had led the Moldejazz Parade since 2000. Over the years he sefved as a role model for many young musicians. For details of his life and funeral click here: Lionel Batiste.
|Harold Battiste
b. 28.10.1931
American saxophonist from New Orleans where he taught music to young people. He formed the record label AFO (All For One) as a musicians' co-operative. On moving to Los Angeles he met "Mac" Rebennack and developed Rebennack's career as 'Dr John'. In 1989, he returned to New Orleans where he joined the Jazz Studies faculty at the University of New Orleans. For Harold's obituary click here: Harold Battiste.
|Gordon Beck
|b. 16.9.1938
d. 6.11.2011
|Self-taught UK pianist from London who worked with Peter King, Tony Crombie, Vic Ash and Harry Klein before joining Tubby hayes in 1962. He formed his own Trio in 1965 which became the house band at Ronnie Scott's club. In the 1970s he worked with Phil Woods and Ian Carr, and with Allan Holdsworth and with his own Quartet in the 1980s. For Gordon's obituary click here: Gordon Beck.
|Walter Becker
|b. 20.2.1950
d. 3.9.2017
|Guitarist with band Steely Dan. Although Walter Becker, Donald Fagen and the band are seen more in the realms of 'popular music' its jazz influences are unquestionable - just listen to some of the arrangements, particularly if you listen to the Aja album where they brought in celebrated jazz musicians including Wayne Shorter, who plays on the title track, along with studio musicians like guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Steve Gadd and keyboardist Victor Feldman. Walter Becker was born in Forest Hills, Queens in 1950 and met Donald Fagen in 1967 in Bard's College (My Old School). By the time they recorded Gaucho, Walter Becker had become addicted to heroin and in 1981 the band broke up but got together again in 1993. There are many jazz musicians who reference Steely Dan in their influences. For Walter's obituary click here: Walter Becker.
|Harry Beckett
|b. 30.5.1935
d. 22.7.2010
|Barbados born trumpet and flugel horn player and composer who lived in London from 1954. Played with Mike Westbrook, Mike Gibbs, Chris McGregor, Graham Collier, Mike Osborne and the Jazz Warriors. Played with Sandy Brown at the Conway Hall, London on 14 March 1969 when Sandy played with the Graham Collier Sextet. For Harry's obituary click here: Harry Beckett
|Graeme Bell
|b. 7.9.1914
d 13.6.2012
|Australian jazz pianist and band leader who was one of the leading promoters of jazz in that country. He toured Europe with his band and brought well know musicians to Australia. In 1978, he was awarded the MBE for 'valuable services to jazz music' and in 1997 he was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame. He was still playing at the age of 90. For Graeme's obituary click here: Graeme Bell
|Roger Bell
|b. 4.1.1919
d. 17.6.2008
|Cornet player and brother of Australian band leader Graeme Bell. More about Roger.
|Carey Bell
|b. 14.11.36
d. 7.5.2007
|American harmonica player, veteran of the Chicago Blues scene. Toured with Muddy Waters, Lowell Fulson and Willie Dixon. Click here for obituary. Carey Bell.
|Graeme Bell
|b. 14.9.1917
d. 12.6.2012
|Australian pianist and bandleader who put jazz on the map in Australia. Born in 1917, he toured with his band extensively after the second world war. He was the founder of the Swaggie record label. For Graeme's obituary click here: Graeme Bell
|Louie Bellson
|b. 6.7.1924
d. 14.2.2009
|Drummer with Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Harry James and Count Basie, and replaced Sonny Greer in the Duke Ellington band. Also led his own bands. More subtle than Buddy Rich but as influential. Click here forLouie's obituary: Louie Bellson
|Sandor Benko
|Richard Rodney Bennett
|b. 29.3.1936
d. 24.12.2012
|UK pianist and composer whose work covered many genres, including jazz. He worked with Cleo Laine, Annie Ross, Chris Connor, Marion Montgomery and Claire Martin, and his Jazz Calendar was choreographed for the Royal Ballet. He was knighted in 1998. For Sir Richard's obituary click here: Richard Rodney Bennett.
|Sean Bergin
|b. 29.6.1948
d. 1.9.2012
|South African avant-garde saxophonist and flautist who performed illegally with black musicians during apartheid. He worked with Mal Waldron, Louis Moholo, Boi Akih and Miriam Makeba amongst others and moved to Amsterdam in 1976. For more about Sean click here: Sean Bergin
|Warren Bernhardt
|b. 13.11.1938
d. 19.8.2022
|American pianist born in Wisconsin. After the death of his father in 1952 he suffered a period of depression and quit music for a time then studied chemistry and physics at the University of Chicago where he was exposed to blues and jazz, which influenced the rest of his career. He worked with Paul Winter, George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Evans; toured as the musical director with Steely Dan, released solo albums and was a member of the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead. Obituaries: Wikipedia : WBGO :
|Eddie Bert
|b. 16.5.1922
d. 28.9.2012
|American trombone player who was coached by Benny Morton and Trummy Young and who first recorded with Mildred Bailey. The list of musicians and bands with whom he played is staggering and included Shorty Rogers, Sam Donahue, Red Norvo, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Stan Jenton, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding and Illinois Jacquet. For Eddie's obituary click here: Eddie Bert
|Salome Bey
|b. 10.10.1933
d. 8.10.2020
|American-born Canadian singer-songwriter, composer, and actressborn in New Jersey. After moving to Toronto in 1964 and playing the jazz club circuit, she became known as "Canada's First Lady of Blues". Bey appeared on Broadway in Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award for her work on the cast album. She put together a blues & jazz cabaret show on the history of black music, Indigo - which earned her the Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding performance. The show was later taped for TV networks. Bey recorded two albums with Horace Silver, and released live albums of her performances with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and at the Montreux Jazz Festival. For more about Salome click here: Salome Bay. Obituaries: New York Times :
|Acker Bilk
|b. 28.1.1929
d. 2.11.2014
|British clarinettist and band leader. Recorded with Sandy and others on 'Clarinet Jamboree' album in October 1959. Members of Sandy's band went on to play with Acker. Bernard 'Acker' Bilk M.B.E. was born in Somerset and apart from a period in London, lived there for much of his life. He was a key figure in the British Traditional jazz revival and continued to play and tour with his Paramount Jazz Band until a year before his death. Many well-known UK jazz musicians passed through his band including Stan Greig, Al Fairweather, Mike Cotton, Bruce Turner, Johnny Mortimer and Ron McKay. His composition and recording Stranger On The Shore was a lasting popular music hit but contribution to jazz will be remembered..For Acker's obituary click here: Acker Bilk.
|Big Bill Bissonette
b. 5.2.1937
|American jazz trombonist, drummer and producer who was a strong advocate of New Orleans music. He led the Easy Riders Jazz Band and founded the Jazz Crusade record label. On his drumset sat the wooden ratchet used by Baby Dodds on his famous drum instruction recordings; he used a slapstick made for him by Kid Thomas Valentine and one of Jim Robinson's mouthpieces sat on a shelf in his living room. For Bill's obituary click here: Bill Bissonette.
|Paul Bley
|b. 10.11.1932
d. 3.1.2016
Canadian pianist influenced by Bud Powell. His first wife was pianist Carla Bley, who as well as Annette Peacock, was a strong musical collaborator with Paul. At 18 he had the opportunity to accompany such giants as Lester Young and Charlie Parker; in 1953 he was invited by Charles Mingus to supervise a recording by the bassist's 10-piece band, and in return he was given his own first session as a leader, in a trio with Mingus on bass and Art Blakey on drums. With Carla, their band was joined by alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman and the trumpeter Don Cherry - changing not just the line-up of the group, which became a quintet completed by the bassist Charlie Haden and the drummer Billy Higgins, but its entire approach. He would go on to play with Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Archie Shepp and Cecil Taylor amongst many others. For Paul's obituary click here: Paul Bley.
|Hamiet Bluiett
|Baritone Sax
Bass Saxophone,
E-flat alto clarinet,
E-flat contra-alto clarinet
W ooden flute
|b. 16.9. 1940
d. 4.10. 2018
|American saxophonist, clarinettist and composer born in Illinois whose primary instrument was the baritone sax. He was a member of the World Saxophone Quartet and also recorded with the bass saxophone, E-flat alto clarinet, E-flat contra-alto clarinet, and wooden flute. In 1972 he joined and toured with Charles Mingus; in the 1980s, he also founded the Clarinet Family, a group of eight clarinetists playing clarinets of various sizes ranging from E-flat soprano to contrabass. Ffrom the 1990s Bluiett led a virtuosic quartet, the Bluiett Baritone Nation, made up entirely of baritone saxophones, with drum set accompaniment. For more about hamiet click here: Hamiet Bluiett
|Arthur Blythe
|Alto Saxophone
|b. 5.7.1940
d. 27.3.2017
|American alto saxophonist and composer born in Los Angeles. He took up the alto saxophone at the age of nine, playing R&B until his mid-teens when he discovered jazz. In the mid-1960s, he was part of The Underground Musicians and Artists Association founded by Horace Tapscott, on whose 1969 The Giant Is Awakened he made his recording debut. Arthur Blythe played as a sideman for Chico Hamilton, was part of the Gil Evans' Orchestra and worked with Jack DeJohnette and McCoy Tyner. He recorded as a leader on albums such as The Grip and Metamorphosis. He joined the World Saxophone Quartet and from 2000 he made recordings on Savant Records which included Exhale (2003) with John Hicks (piano), Bob Stewart (tuba), and Cecil Brooks III (drums). For more about Arthur click here: Arthur Blythe.
|Claude Bolling
|b. 10.4.1930
d. 29.12.2020
|French jazz pianist, composer and arranger born in Cannes. By the age of 14 he was playing jazz piano professionally, with Lionel Hampton, Roy Eldridge, and Kenny Clarke. Bolling's books on jazz technique show that he did not delve far beyond bebop and was a major part of the traditional jazz revival in the late 1960s, and he became friends with Oscar Peterson. Following work with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Bolling went on to work with many other musicians, from different genres, including guitarist Alexandre Lagoya, violinist Pinchas Zukerman, trumpeter Maurice André, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. For more about Claude click here: Claude Bolling. Obituaries: New York Times : The Guardian : Billboard :
|Colin Bowden
|b. 29.2.1932
d. 1.8.2021
Laurel Lindström has let me know of the sad passing of her father, the UK drummer Colin Bowden. Colin passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on 1st August. Colin began drumming around the age of ten. He went on to play with Steve Lane, Cy Laurie, Sonny Morris, Ken Colyer, Alan Elsdon, Ken Sims, Mike Daniels Delta Jazzmen, the New Crane River Jazz band, Chris Barber and many others. He has been a substantial part of the UK jazz story and will be missed and remembered by many. For more about Colin click here: Colin Bowden. Obituaries: Syncopated Times ;
|Geoff Bradford
|b. 13.1.1934
d. 24.3.2014
|Played with Kevin Scott at The Roundhouse Blues Club and formed the band Blues By Six with Brian Knight and Charlie Watts. He played with Alexis Korner and Long John Baldry. He later joined Cyril Davies's band the R&B All Stars. For more about Geoff click here: Geoff Bradford
|Sonny Bradshaw
|b. 28.3.1926
d. 10.10.2009
|The 'Dean' of Jamaican music. Trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist who formed the Jamaican Big Band and the Sonny Bradshaw 7 and who launched the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. Click here for obituary: Sonny Bradshaw.
|Bill Bramwell
b. 16.7.1922
|1947 Young Musician of the Year who played with a number of bands including Freddie Randall and Mick Mulligan and with others as a session musician. Recorded with Sandy Brown in the 1960s. More about Bill.
|Jamie Branch
|b. 17.6.1983
d. 22.8.2022
|American jazz trumpeter and composer born in New York. She started playing trumpet at age nine. At age 14, she moved to Chicago and attended the New England Conservatory of Music. After graduating, she moved back to Chicago, working as a musician, organizer, and sound engineer on the local music scene. She founded the record label Pionic Records, which released the music of her group Bomb Shelter. After two years, she dropped out of Towson, and six months later she moved to New York to seek treatment for heroin addiction. In 2017 she released her debut solo album, Fly or Die which was chosen as one of NPR Music's Top 50 Albums of that year. Obituaries Wikipedia : The Guardian : Jazz Times : New York Times :
|Jim Bray
|Double Bass
|b. 24.4.1927
|Marko Breskovic
|b. 1942
|Anyone with an interest in jazz and who has visited Dubrovnik in Croatia will have come across Marko's jazz cafe Troubadour. Click here for Ricardo Lago's tribute to this bass player who together with his sons was a key figure in Croatian jazz. For Marko's obituary click here: Marko Breskovic
|Willem Breuker
|b. 4.11.1944
d. 23.7.2010
|Dutch saxophonist, clarinetist and bandleader who founded the Amsterdam Kollectief and was one of the foremost free-jazz European stars. For Willem's obituary click here: Willem Breuker
|Bunny Briggs
Tap Dance
|b. 26.2.1922
d. 15.11.2014
|American percussionist and tap dancer born in Harlem and described by Duke Ellington as 'the most superleviathonic, rhythmaturgically syncopated, tapsthamaticianismatist'. Inspired by Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson he started performing as a child and his career developed through working with big bands, in movies and in clubs and theatres. In 2002 Briggs was given a doctorate in performing arts by Oklahoma City University, and was inducted into the Tap Dance Hall of Fame.For Bunny's obituary click here: Bunny Briggs.
|Brian Brocklehurst
|Double Bass
|UK bass player born in Buxton, Derbyshire. From playing with Eddie Thompson's Trio, Brian moved to London in 1952, he played with the bands of Ken Mackintosh, Jack Parnell and Tommy Whittle before joining Humphrey Lyttelton's band as the band strated to play more mainstream music. Brian went on to become a successful session musician backing many famous singers. (Brian recorded with Sandy Brown as part of the Dick Heckstall-Smith Quintet in 1957). For Brian's obituary click here: Brian Brocklehurst
|Bob Brookmeyer
|b. 19.12.1929
d. 15.12 2011
|One of the best loved jazz trombonists, Bob Brookmeyer took up the trombone at the age of 13. He played piano for Tex Beneke's band before joining Claude Thornhill on trombone in 1952, played with Woody Herman and Stan Getz and in January 1954 became part of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. In 1958 he joined Jimmy Giuffre's Trio and then worked with Bill Evans, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. From 1981 he directed the Mel Lewis Orchestra. He toured Europe with Tony Coe in 1995, and in 2011 released his last album Standards. For Bob's obituary click here: Bob Brookmeyer
|Lonnie Brooks
|b. 18.12.1933
d. 1.4.2017
|American Blues singer and guitarist from Louisiana born Lee Baker Jr. who called himself 'Guitar Junior' until he changed his name so not as to be confused with another Blues guitarist in Chicago. His recording of Robert Johnson's Sweet Home Chicago became a hit in 1980. He toured for many years with his sons Wayne and Ronnie, both guitar players, and appeared in the 1998 film The Blues Brothers. For Lonnie's obituary click here: Lonnie Brooks.
|Ernest ' Brownie' Brown
|Tap Dancer
|b. 25.4.1916
d. 21.8.2009
|Tap dancer who partnered Charles Cook as part of the Cotton Club Revue led by the Claude Hopkins Orchestra. They went on to dance with the orchestras of Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins and Count Basie and appeared at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. For Brownie's obituary click here: Brownie Brown
|Marion Brown
|b. 8.9.1931
d. 18.10.2010
|Alto saxophone player from Atlanta, Georgia who was a member of the avante-garde scene in New York in the 1960s. He played with John Coltrane, Archie Shepp and John Tchicai amongst others and provided the soundtrack to the Marcle Camus 1970s film Le Temps Fou. For Marion's obituary click here: Marion Brown.
|Dave Brubeck
|b. 6.12.1920
d. 5.12.2012
|American pianist, bandleader and composer particularly well known for his 1959 Quartet album Time Out that explored the use of varied time signatures. He made many other successful records over a long career and received many awards for his significant contribution to jazz. For Dave's obituary click here: Dave Brubeck.
|Dru Bruce
|Jack Bruce
|Bass Guitar
|b. 14.5.1943
d. 25.10.2014
|A founder-member of the group Cream, the bass guitarist Jack Bruce was born near Glasgow. His father and brother were jazz fans who favoured different genres, and Jack went to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music to study piano and cello. In 1960, he toured Italy with the Murray Campbell Big Band before joining the Scottsville Jazzmen. He went on to work with Alexis Korner, John Mayall and then Manfred Mann. After Cream dissolved, Bruce recorded Things We Like, dissolving the boundaries between rock and jazz with tunes that he had written as a boy. He played the double-bass, and was joined by the saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, guitarist John McLaughlin and drummer Jon Hiseman. He went on to play with many musicians over various music genres. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. For Jack's obituary click here: Jack Bruce.
|'Ma' Bruce
|Clora Bryant
|b. 30.5.1927
d. 25.8.2019
|American jazz trumpeter born in Texas. 'When her brother Fred joined the military, he left his trumpet, which she learned how to play. In high school she played trumpet in the marching band ... she heard bebop for the first time on Central Avenue ... became a member of the Sweethearts of Rhythm, a female jazz band, and dropped out of school. Dizzy Gillespie became her mentor and provided her with work.' She went on to play with the black female jazz band the Queens of Swing as a drummer, played trumpet with Josephine Baker and Billie Holiday, and played with Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Charlie Parker and others. For more about Clora click here: Clora Bryant.
|Ray Bryant
|b. 24.12.1931
d. 2.6.2011
|American mainstream and hard bop pianist who played with Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Jo Jones and many others. He was also Carmen McRae's accompanist for two years. For Ray's obituary click here: Ray Bryant.
|Owen Bryce
b. 1920
Cornet player who joined George Webb's Dixielanders in 1943 with Wally Fawkes and Reg Rigden. The first band to play at the Red Barn in Barnehurst at the start of the Trad revival in the UK. Humphrey Lyttelton eventually took over from Reg Rigden. Owen refused to let a young banjo player, called Lonnie Donegan, sing with the band because he didn't like his voice. Owen went on playing at the same time as running a shop with his wife, Iris, and then in retirement, had a narrow boat named 'Bix'. John Westwood send this photo saying that the boat 'was almost certainly the only one in the world that had a piano on board!' Click here for Owen's obituary: Owen Bryce. Click here for another tribute by Mary Mills.
|Beryl Bryden
|b. 11.5.1920
d. 1998
|Hiram Bullock
|b. 11.9.1955
d. 25.7.2008
|Jazz-rock guitarist of the avant-garde New York jazz scene. Born in Japan he played with David Sanborn and the Brecker Brothers band, Carla Bley and Gil Evans. For Hiram's obituary click here: Hiram Bullock.
|John Bunch
|b. 1.12.1921
d. 30.3.2010
|American pianist who played withGeorgie Auld, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman and who was the musical director and conductor for singer Tony Bennett. For John's obituary click here: John Bunch
|Graham Burbidge
|b. 1.10.1933
|Peter Burden
|d. 2016
|Just heard of passing today of Peter Burden. Altoist Peter Burden was a presence on the Hastings and Brighton circuit for decades and was playing up to a few weeks ago. His early career started with the Southampton University Big Band and a subsequent highlight was as a member of Joe Lee Wilson's backing group, the Joy Of Jazz, leading to appearances at the Ljubljana and Camden festivals. More recently he ran a workshop in Bexhill and made local appearances backing Chris Hutchinson (son of Hutch). We do not yet have an obituary for Peter.
|Geoffrey Burgon
|b. 15.7.1941
d. 21.9.2010
|UK composer whose early ambition was to be a jazz trumpeter. 'I'd realised that I was not going to be the next Miles Davis,' he said, so he turned to composing, particularly for television. For Geoffrey's obituary click here: Geoffrey Burgon.
|Campbell Burnap
|b. 10.9.1939
d. 30.5.2008
|Born in Derby, Campbell emigrated to New Zealand when he was 19 and took up the trombone. He moved to Australia, toured the United States and then returned to England and joined Terry Lightfoot and then Monty Sunshine. He returned to Australia but came back to England to play with Ian Armit, Alan Elsdon, the Midnite Follies Orchestra, Pat Halcox All Stars, Pete Allen and Keith Smith. He joined Acker Bilk in 1980 and stayed with Acker until 1987. Campbell made regular broadcasts as a presenter for the BBC, Jazz FM and theJazz. For Campbell's obituary click here: Cambell Burnap
|Bob Burns
Tenor Saxophone
|b. 16.5.1923
|Tito Burns
|b. 7.2.1921
d. 23.8.2010
|Accordionist and bandleader born Nathan Bernstein, who included in his band John Dankworth, Ronnie Scott, Tony Crombie, Ray Ellington, Benny Green and Harry Klein. Went on to become a manager and promoter of acts including Cliff Richard and The Searchers. For Tito's obituary click here: Tito Burns
|Willie Burns
b. 5.11.1932
|Drummer with Sandy Brown's first band who grew up in Joppa with Stan Greig and Johnny Twiss. More about Willie.
|Lennie Bush
|Double Bass
|b. 6.6.1927
|Henry Butler
|b. 21.9.1948
d. 2.7.2018
|American pianist and photographer. Known for his technique and his ability to play in many styles of music, he had been blinded by glaucoma as a child. He attended Louisiana State School for the Blind, where he learned to play valve trombone, baritone horn and drums before focusing his talents on singing and piano.[ Butler was mentored by clarinettist and educator Alvin Batiste and went on to receive a Master's degree in music at Michigan State University. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home and 1925 Mason & Hamlin piano and he moved to Colorado and New York. For more about Henry click here: Henry Butler.
|Donald Byrd
|b .9.12.1932
d. 4.2.2013
|American trumpeter born in Detroit who worked with Art Blakey and Pepper Adams and played on studio sessions with many other well known jazz musicians during the 1950s and 1960s. Co-led bands with Gigi Gryce and Pepper Adams and continued to record through the 1960s and 1970s releasing his album Black Byrd in 1973. Continued playing and went on to teach at universities in Washington and Delaware and worked with jazz students from North Carolina University. For Donald's obituary click here: Donald Byrd.
|Terry Callier
|b. 24.5.1945
d. 28.10 2012
American jazz, folk and sould singer and guitarist who became a jazz-soul icon of the 1990s in the UK performing at the 100 Club and the Jazz Cafe in London. For Terry's obituary click here: Terry Callier
|Candido Camero
|b. 22.4.1921
d. 7.11 2020
|Cándido Camero Guerra , known simply as Cándido, was a Cuban conga and bongo player. He is considered a pioneer of Afro-Cuban jazz and an innovator in conga drumming. He was responsible for the development of tuneable conga sets, as well as the combination of congas and bongos, and other instruments such as the foot-operated cowbell. After moving to New York in 1946, Camero played with Billy Taylor and Stan Kenton and Dizzy Gillespie - when Chano Pozo was murdered in 1948 (he arrived in New York shortly after Cándido), Dizzy Gillespie contacted Camero and they began a fruitful collaboration that culminated in the 1954 recording of Afro. From 1956 he recorded several albums as a leader. For more about Candido click here: Candido Camero. Obituaries: New York Times : Pitchfork : Downbeat :
|Duncan Campbell
|d. 12 2013
|Tony Augarde tells us that trumpeter Duncan Campbell passed through the Departure Lounge in December: 'He was best known for playing in Ted Heath's orchestra - and for his uproarious falsetto singing. I knew him when he and I played in Humphrey Carpenter's band called Vile Bodies, which had a residency at the Ritz in London for some years. I quite often drove him to and/or fro his home in Ickenham and I enjoyed his humour and devil-may-care approach to life. Like his fellow Scot, Tommy McQuater (another wonderful man who also played for Vile Bodies), Duncan could drink for Britain. When he was playing in the band and had 16 bars' rest, he often took out a miniature of whisky to imbibe surreptitiously. But he was a magnificent trumpeter'.
|Pete Candoli
|b. 28.6.1923
d. 11.1.2008
|Trumpeter with Sonny Dunham, Will Bradley, Ray McKinley, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Woody Herman. Known as 'Superman with a Horn'. Click here for obituary: Pete Candoli.
|Dave Carpenter
|b. 4.11.1959
d. 24.6.2008
|Bass player Dave Carpenter studied at Ohio State University before playing professionally with many bands including Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman. His later work was the Peter Erskine Trio. He performed on over two hundred recordings and on dozens of television and film soundtracks. Click here for obituary: Dave Carpenter.
|Ian Carr
|b. 21.4.1933
d. 25.2.2009
|Trumpeter from Dumfries who grew up in Northumberland, moved to London to play with Harold McNair, Don Rendell and New Jazz Orchestra. Formed band Nucleus in 1969 that included at various times Tony Coe, Chris Spedding and Ron Mathewson and played Newport and Montreaux Festivals in 1970. Took took forward rock-jazz movement. Was Associate Professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was given award for Services To Jazz at 2006 BBC Jazz Awards. Click here for obituary: Ian Carr
|Mike Carr
|b. 7.12.1937
d. 22.9.2017
|UK jazz organist, pianist and vibraphone player born in South Shields and brother of trumpeter Ian Carr, who joined Mike in his band the EmCee Five, a band that played in the style of the Jazz Messengers. Mike went on to play with many UK and American jazz musicians both in the UK and abroad including Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Illinois Jacquet, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Benny Waters, Johnny Griffin and singer Jimmy Witherspoon. For Mike's obituary click here: Mike Carr.
|Barbara Carroll
|b. 25.1.1925
d. 12.2.2017
|American pianist and singer born in in Worcester, Massachusetts. Sometimes called 'the first lady of jazz piano' she performed regularly at Birdland in Manhattan. 'When she moved to New York in 1947, a friend arranged her first booking under the name Bobbie Carroll, never mentioning her gender until it was too late to get anyone else.' A friend of Tony Bennett, she was a major interpreter of the songs of Cole Porter, Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, and Stephen Sondheim. For Barbara's obituary click here: Barbara Carroll.
|Heinz Carstens
|Stewart Carter
|d. circa 2005
|Steve Fletcher asked if any readers knew of a fine trumpet player named Stewart Carter who ran a band in the Ponders End district of North London in the early 1950s. Eric Jackson replied that Stu moved to the Wirral where he played with the Peninsula Jazz Man, but sadly died around 2005.Please contact us if have any more information.
|Geoff Castle
|b. 8.6.1949
d. 15.1.2020
|UK pianist and composer born in North London. He played and toured with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for three years before joining Graham Collier's septet. He went on to play with Ian Carr's Nucleus and in 1980 played with his 10 piece Impressions of New York band at the Camden Jazz festival. In the 1980s he worked with Latin band Paz and in 1983 Geoff went to work in New Zealand where he recorded the music for the movie Should I Be Good? For more about Geoff click here: Geoff Castle.
|Malcolm Cecil
|b. 9.1.1937
d. 28.3.2021
|British jazz bassist, record producer, engineer and electronic musician. Born in London, he was a founding member of the Jazz Couriers and went on to play with Dick Morrissey, Tony Crombie and Ronnie Scott. With Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner he was an original member of Blues Incorporated. He then collaborated with Robert Margouleff in TONTO's Expanding Head Band, a project based on a unique combination of synthesizers which led to them collaborating on and co-producing several of Stevie Wonder's Grammy-winning albums of the early 1970s. The TONTO synthesizer was described by Rolling Stone as "revolutionary". For more about Malcolm click here: Malcolm Cecil. Obituaries: Telegraph, New York Times
|Duncan Chalmers
|b. 9.1941
d. 1.4.2020
|UK banjo player. Jane Hunter-Randall writes: 'Born in Banstead, Surrey, Duncan started showing an interest in musical instruments after leaving college, and developed a liking for jazz. He chose to learn the banjo, saying it was the easiest to master. Bands he worked with include, Monty Sunshine, The Original East Side Stompers, Micky Ashman's All Stars, Max Collie's Rhythm Aces and The New Stompers. Duncan had to retire from playing some 10 years ago due to an accident damaging his right hand. He had a big personality and spread laughter wherever he went. He will be greatly missed by his friends and on the jazz circuit.' Facebook memories of Duncan Chalmers.
|Leon Ndugu Chancler
b. 1.7. 1952
|Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1952, drummer Leon Ndugu Chancler began playing drums when he was thirteen years old. He graduated from California State University with a degree in music education. By then he had already performed with Herbie Hancock and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Bobby Hutcherson. He recorded as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including the iconic and instantly recognizable drums on Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. In 2006, he became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. For more about Leon click here: Ndugu Chancler.
|Teddy Charles
|b. 13.4.1928
d. 16.4.2012
|US vibes player born in Massachusetts. He studied piano and drums at Juilliard when BeBop was the rage in New York and socialised with Stan Getz, Brew Moore and Ed Shaughnessy. Taught himself vibes and then played with Benny Goodman, Chubby Jackson, Buddy De Franco and Artie Shaw. He joined Charles Mingus's Jazz Composers Workshop bands and then in the 1950s became more of a producer and session player before moving out of jazz to set up a sailing business in the 1960s. For Teddy's obituary click here: Teddy Charles.
|Dick Charlesworth
b. 8.1.1932
|UK clarinet and saxophone player from Sheffield who joined Jim Wheeler's Jazzmen but went on to form his own band 'The City Gents' - voted second and third in the 1961 Melody Maker and Jazz News polls. Joined cruise ships when the Trad boom ended and then played with Alan Littlejohn. Click here for Dick's obituary: Dick Charlesworth.
|Laurie Chescoe
|b. 18.4.1933
d. 2021
|A number of people have contacted us to say that UK drummer Laurie Chescoe has passed through the Departure Lounge. Laurie started his professional career in 1957 with the Teddy Layton Band and went on to play with Monty Sunshine, Dick Charlesworth, Bruce Turner's Jump Band, Bob Wallis, George Webb's reformed Dixielanders and then became a founder member of the Midnite Follies. He joined the Alex Welsh band in 1979 and worked in Alex's band for two years right up to Alex's untimely death. Since then Laurie has been working regularly in the Alan Elsdon Band, The Midnite Follies Orchestra, the Alex Welsh Reunion Band as well as leading his own band. Laurie joined Phil Mason's All Stars Band in 2003 and worked with them up to Phil's retirement in 2010. Laurie joined Bob Dwyer's Bix and Pieces in 2010. Phil Kent says: 'I knew Laurie well as he often sat in on drums when I was with Bob Wallis. Most of the time he was with Acker Bilk.' We do not have an obituary for Laurie or the date when he passed away (he was born on18th April 1933). Please let us know if you can help further.
|Buddy Childers
|b. 12.2.1926
d. 24.5.2007
|American trumpeter and bandleader who was lead trumpeter for Stan Kenton. Also played with Benny Carter, Andre Previn, Les Brown, Vido Musso, Tommy Dorsey and Charlie Barnet. Click here for obituary. Buddy Childers.
|John Chilton
b. 16.7.1932
|UK Jazz trumpeter and bandleader born in London. in 1944, John bought a cornet on first hearing a Jelly Roll Morton recording, transferred to trumpet and began playing locally. He joined Bruce Turner's Jump Band. He formed his Swing Kings in 1966 and toured with visiting US musicians. In 1970 he published Who's Who Of Jazz : From Storyville to Swing Street. Other books followed including the famous Who's Who of British Jazz and his 2007 autobiography Hot Jazz, Warm Feet. His later Feetwarmers band became a firm part of the British jazz scene, not least for its performances with singer George Melly. Click here for John's obituary: John Chilton.
|John China
|d. 2012
|UK pianist who was part of Laurie Morgan's house trio at Crouch end.
|George Chisholm
b. 29.3.1915
|Ian Christie
|b. 2.6.1927
d. 19.1.2010
|UK clarinet player who with his brother, trombonist Keith, led the Christie Brothers Stompers initially with Ken Colyer on cornet. Ian went on to join Alex Welsh's band and then Mick Mulligan before becoming a writer on Fleet Street. Click here for Ian's obituary: Ian Christie
|Keith Christie
|b. 6.1.1931
d. 16.12.1980
|Gene Cipriano
b. 13./7.1928
|American woodwind musician born in Connecticut. Know as 'Cip', he played with Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra and then with Lee Konitz, Claude Thornhill and the continuation Glenn Miller Orchestra under Tex Beneke. He went on to play for TV and film and as a respected session musician for countless musicians and bands. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Hollywood Reporter : Billboard :
|Helen Clare
|b. 29.11.1916
d. 15.9.2018
|Vocalist born in Bradford, UK. As a child Helen Clare was billed as "Little Nellie Harrison-Child Wonder" during the 1920s where she was taken at the age of four. By 1936 she had joined Jack Jackson and his orchestra at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Just after the War she moved down to Bristol with the BBC Variety Department. She recorded with many bands including Carroll Gibbons, Billy Thorburn, Henry Hall, Billy Ternent, Jay Wilbur, Van Philips and Harry Leader and on one occasion Jack Hylton. She became a freelance singer in 1941. 'After leaving broadcasting and the concert platform Helen gave singing lessons and master classes and appeared often with the Wallington Operatic Society until the age of 90'. For more about Helen click here: Helen Clare.
|Jimmy Clark
|Tap Dance
|b. 23.7.1922
d. 30.10.2009
Tap dancer who with brother Steve dancxed alongside Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Click here for obituary: Jimmy Clark.
|Frank Clarke
|Eddy Clearwater
|b. 10.1.1935
d. 1.6.2018
|Mississippi-born Chicago bluesman who billed himself as "The Chief" and often performed in a feathered headdress. A self-taught musician, Mr. Clearwater played guitar left-handed and upside down. His music merged his rural Mississippi upbringing with the aggressive attack of West Side Chicago blues and a deep admiration for Chuck Berry. His Native American regalia, and songs like "Reservation Blues," paid tribute to his grandmother, who he said was a full-blooded Cherokee. For Eddy's obituary click here: Eddy Clearwater.
|Jeff Clyne
|b. 29.1.1937
d. 16.11.2009
|British bass player who played with Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Stan Tracey, Dudley Moore and many others, and led his own band Turning Point. Click here for obituary: Jeff Clyne
|Jimmy Cobb
|b. 20.1.1929
d. 4.5.2020
|American drummer born in Washington D.C. who was part of Miles Davis's First Great Sextet. He left the band in 1963 and formed a trio with Wynton Kelly and Paul Chambers, and then another with Hank Jones and Eddie Gómez. He also toured with Sarah Vaughan during the 1970s, and taught at Stanford University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Berklee College of Music. During his career he played with countless prominent jazz musicians.For more about Jimmy click here.: Jimmy Cobb. The Guardian obituary : The New York Times obituary :
|Peter Coe
|b. 21.11.1930
d. 16.3.2009
|Saxophonist who led an occasional jazz quartet around London in the early 1970s before moving to Marbella where he played at Magnum's Jazz Bar. He had also led his own big band in the Wimbledon area of South West London and often worked with pianist Tony Lee.More well-known for playing with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, and for playing on the Bealtes' number 'Got To Get You Into My Life'. For Peter's obituary click here or here: Peter Coe
|Tony Coe
|b. 29.11.1934
|John Cole
|With Alan Lomax and the Ramblers folk group when Sandy recorded 3 tracks with them on 2 August 1956.
|Maria Hawkins Cole
|b. 1.8.1922
d. 10.7.2012
|American jazz singer from Boston who sang with Benny Carter, Count Basie and Duke Ellington in the 1940s before marrying Nat 'King' Cole. She performed with Nat in the 1950s and then returned again to singing in 1966 after his death. For Maria's obituary click here: Maria Hawkins Cole
|Richie Cole
|b. 29.2.1948
d. 2.5.2020
|American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger born in New Jersey. He began to play alto saxophone when he was ten years old, encouraged by his father, who owned a jazz club there. he played in the big bands of Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton and Doc Severinsen and performed and recorded with many other musicians including Nancy Wilson, Phil Woods, Art Pepper and Sonny Stitt. Under his own name he recorded the albums Hollywood Madness and Richie Cole Plays West Side Story. He served on the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization and the Board for the National Endowment for the Arts where he served as chairman for one year and was a charter member of the International Association of Jazz Educators. For more about Richie click here: Richie Cole. Jazz Times obituary : Jazz Journal obituary:
|Ornette Coleman
|b. 9.3.1930
d. 11.6.2015
|American saxophonist initially influenced by Charlie Parker who worked obsessively on radically rethinking the relationship between melody, harmony and rhythm in jazz to set improvisation free. Click here for Ornette's obituary: Ornette Coleman.
|Buddy Collette
|b. 6.8.1921
d. 19.9.2010
|American West Coast saxophone, clarinet and flute player who worked with Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and others. Buddy was also a pioneer civil rights activist, working to desegregate the musicians union of Los Angeles.or Buddy's obituary click here: Buddy Collette.
|Max Collie
|b. 21.2.1931
d. 2017?
|(I have only received this information from a message - I have not been able to verify it elsewhere through an obituary. Any other information would be welcome). Max Collie was an Australian trombonist born in Melbourne. Max led part time groups the Jazz Bandits (1948-1950) and the Jazz Kings (1950-1962). In 1962, he joined the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band. When they visited England in 1963, he stayed overseas, becoming a member of the London City Stompers. In 1966, he became the group's leader and they were renamed Rhythm Aces. They released their first record in 1971 and in 1975 they won a world championship in traditional jazz against 14 North American jazz band. In 2013 he had suffered a stroke and lost the sight in one eye. For more information click here: Max Collie.
|Graham Collier
Double Bass
|b. 21.2.1937
d. 9.9.2011
|UK trumpeter, drummer and bass player (he played bass with the Jimmy Dorsey swing band), but was best known for his work as a jazz composer and educator. He was the first Briton to graduate from the jazz course at Berklee College of Music, Boston and in 1968, the first composer to receive an Arts Council bursary for his Workpoint jazz project. It was Graham who initiated the jazz course at the Royal Academy of Music. He founded Graham Collier Music as an ensemble to play his compositions and at various times, the ensemble included Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, John Surman, Karl jenkins, Mike Gibbs, Art Themen, Chris Biscoe and James Allsopp. He was awarded an OBE in 1987. Sandy Brown played a live gig with Graham's band in 1969. For Graham's obituary click here: Graham Collier
|Shirley Collins
|John Collinson
|d. 2013
|Pianist with the Jazz Caveners Band. Click here for Eric Jackson's memories of John: John Collinson.
|Les Condon
|b. 23.2.1930
d. 11.2007
|Trumpeter with Tony Crombie, Tony Kinsey and Tubby Hayes. Obituary in Jazz Journal International Vol 61 No 2 February 2008.
|Gene 'Mighty Flea' Conners
|b. 28.12.1930
d. 10.6.2010
|American trombone player who owed much to JJ Johnson's slide trombone style. Played with Lionel Hampton and depped for the Count Basie and Ray Charles Orchestras. For Gene's obituary click here: Gene Conners
|Chris Connor
|b. 8.11.1927
d. 29.8.2009
|Singer with the Stan Kenton Band and last of the big band vocalists who became a solo star in her own right. Click here for obituary: Chris Connor
|Alan Cooper
|b. 1931
d. 2007
|Clarinet player with the Temperence Seven. More about Alan.
|George 'Buster' Cooper
|b. 4.4.1929
d. 13.5.2016
|American trombonist from Florida who started out in his cousin's 16-piece band and then went to the Hartnett School of Music in New York. A friend of Cannonball Adderley, he joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra where he met many other top jazz musicians, worked briefly with Benny Goodman and then, with his brother, formed their own band. He was invited to join Duke Ellington's Orchestra three times. He turned down the first two offers but joined Duke in 1962 alongside Lawrence Brown. After leaving Ellington he became a studio musician and played in big bands behind singers like Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. For Buster's obituary click here: George 'Buster' Cooper.
|Bryan Corbett
|b. 1974
|Trumpet player namedin Jazzwise magazine as someone to look out for in 2008. Based in the U.K. Midlands, Bryan plays with his own Quartet andguest solos with other bands. More about Bryan.
|Chick Corea
|b. 12.6.1941
d. 9.2.2021
|American keyboard player, percussionist, bandleader and composer born in Massachusetts. He was a member of Miles Davis' band in the late 1960s and participated in the birth of jazz fusion. He is considered one of the foremost jazz pianists of the post-John Coltrane era. He collaborated frequently with many other musicians while exploring different musical styles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He won 23 Grammy Awards and was nominated over 60 times. Chick Corea celebrated his 75th birthday in 2016 by playing with more than 20 different groups during a six-week stand at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, New York City. "I pretty well ignore the numbers that make up 'age'. It seems to be the best way to go. I have always just concentrated on having the most fun I can with the adventure of music." For more about Chick click here: Chick Corea. Obituaries: New York Times : The Guardian.
|Larry Coryell
|b. 2.4.1943
d. 19.2.2017
|American guitarist born in Galveston, Texas. Remembered for his work on the fusion of rock and jazz. He worked with Gary Burton, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins as well as leading and recording with his own band. In 1972 he formed the Eleventh House, a fusion band that included drummer Alphonse Mouzon and that 'emphasized complex, thunderous compositions and flashy, rapid-fire solos'. For Larry's obituary click here: Larry Coryell.
|Pete Cosey
|b. 9.10.1943
d. 30.5.2012
|American guitarist who started out as a session musician for Chess records before joining and recording with Miles Davis from 1973 to 1975. He went on to play with Herbie Hancock and Akira Sakata and in 2007-2008, contributed to the Miles from India CD which celebrated the music of Miles Davis. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete Cosey.
|James Cotton
|b. 1.7.1935
d. 16.3.2017
|Harmonica Blues player born in Mississippi to parents who were sharecroppers working on a cotton plantation. His father was also the preacher at the local Baptist church. He worked with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf and helped establish his instrument as an integral part of modern blues. His prowess on the harmonica 'earned him the nickname Superharp (the term "harp" is common parlance for the harmonica), released some two dozen albums, with small and larger ensembles, for a variety of labels, including Alligator, Vanguard and Telarc. His Deep in the Blues (Verve) won a Grammy for best traditional blues album in 1997'. His most recent album, Cotton Mouth Man, was released in 2013 and nominated for a Grammy. For James's obituary click here: James Cotton.
|Stanley Cowell
|b. 5.5.1941
d. 17.12.2020
|American pianist born in Ohio. At college he played with Roland Kirk and then went on to play with Marion Brown, Max Roach, Bobby Hutcherson, Clifford Jordan Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Charles Moore and others in the Detroit Artist's Workshop Jazz Ensemble, and J J Johnson. In 1971, Cowell founded the record label Strata-East together with trumpeter Charles Tolliver. The label would become one of the most successful Black-led, independent labels of all time. For more about Stanley click here: Stanley Cowell. Obituaries: New York Times; Jazz Times : Washington Post :
|Terry Cox
|b. 13.3.1937
|Terry played drums with the Fairweather-Brown Band between 1962 and 1964 before going on to play with John Mayall and to formthe band Pentangle. More about Terry.
|Lol Coxhill
|b. 19.9.1932
d. 10.7.2012
|UK saxophone player born in Hampshire. He played with Denzil Bailey's Afro-Cubans, the Graham Fleming Combo and collaborated with many musicians including David Bedford, Robert Wyatt, Jasper van't Hof, Morgan Fletcher, Trevor Watts's Moiré Music and The Recendents. For Lol's obituary click here: Lol Coxhill.
|Bob Craig
b. 1927
|Schoolfriend of Sandy Brown who played trombone in Sandy's Edinburgh band when Al Fairweather changed to trumpet. Remained working in Scotland in a variety of jobs and continued playing jazz trombone. More about Bob.
|Danny Craig
|b. c1924
|Ray Crane
|b. 31.10.1930
d. 29.6.1994
|Bob Cranshaw
|b. 10.12.1932
d. 2.11.2016
|Bass player from Chicago who worked and recorded for many years with Sonny Rollins and played on many classic albums such as Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder and Joe Henderson's Inner Urge. He went on to work regularly as a session musician and on various television programmes such as with the band for Saturday Night Live. For Bob's obituary click here: Bob Cranshaw.
|Roy Crimmins
|b. 2.8.1929
d. 27.8. 2014
|Trombone player who played with Mick Mulligan and Freddy Randall before joining the Alex Welsh band. Eventually moved to Israel. More about Roy.
|John Critchinson
|b. 24.12.1934
d. 15.12.2017
|'Critch' - an English jazz pianist born in London who started out as a part-time musician with Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes. He was a member of Ronnie Sctott's Quartet until 1995 and during that time he worked with many visiting American musicians. In the early 1980s he was associated with British jazz fusion. He recorded with Dick Morrissey and was a member of Martin Drew's Our Band and in 1995, John formed a quartet with Art Themen on saxophone, Dave Green on bass and Dave Barry on drums. When Ronnie Scott died in 1996, John formed the Ronnie Scott Legacy band with Pat Crumly on saxophone and flute. More recently he had been playing and recording with saxophonist Simon Spillett. For more about John click here: John Critchinson.
|George Crockett
|d. 1990s
|Drummer with Sandy Brown's early band in 1946/1947 Edinburgh. More about George.
|Connie Crothers
|b. 2.5.1941
d 13.8.2016
|American pianist and composer mentored by Lennie Tristano. Her playing encompassed 'free jazz' although she avoided labelling her music. She recorded a duo album, Swish, in 1982 with Max Roach and together they founded New Artists Records that continues to operate today. For Connie's obituary click here: Connie Crothers.
|Pat Crumly
|b. 9.2.1942
d. 28.9.2008
|Clarinettist and Saxophonist who in the early 1970s formed a band named 'Edge' which included pianist Michael Garrick. He toured with John Dankworth in 1973 and went on to play with singers Jack Jones, Helen Reddy, Zoot Money and Alan Price. His Quartet played at Ronnie Scott's in the early 2000s having been a good friend of Ronnie's and in whose Legacy Band he was a key member after Ronnie died. For Pat's obituary click here: Pat Crumly. There are some errors in Pat's obituary which are corrected if you also click here.
|Ronnie Cuber
|b. 25.12.1941
d. 7.10 2022
|American saxophonist born in New York City who also played in Latin, pop, rock, and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he played tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, and flute. At various times Ronnie played with B.B. King, Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Frank Zappa, Lee Konitz and the Mingus Big Band. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Jazz Times : WBGO :
|Alexander Cullen
|b. 30.4.1920
d. 28.12.2013
|Professor Alexander Cullen, an electrical engineer, who made important contributions in the field of microwave research was also an accomplished jazz musician and in later life took up the vibraphone. He formed a schoolboy jazz band with the future television presenter Steve Race and during his spare moments from work he played the drums in a semi-professional jazz band. At the age of 89 he took up the vibraphone and taught himself to play. He also wrote a series of songs, some of which his son David arranged to be recorded by the Radio Big Band. Click here for Alexander's obituary: Alexander Cullen.
|Jim Cullum Jr
|b. 20.9.1941
d. 11.8.2019
|American jazz cornetist known for his contributions to Dixieland jazz. His father was Jim Cullum Sr., a clarinetist who led the Happy Jazz Band until 1973. Jim Cullum Jr. led the Jim Cullum Jazz Band as its successor. His band mates included Evan Christopher, Allan Vaché, and John Sheridan. Cullum performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Austin City Limits. He recorded for the Jazzology, Columbia, Audiophile and Stomp Off labels as well as his own label, Riverwalk. From 1993 until 2005, Cullum and his band were on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University in California. In 2011, Stanford University Libraries acquired Cullum's "Riverwalk Jazz" archives, comprising over 400 radio show programs. In January 2013, Stanford's Archive of Recorded Sound made the recordings available to listen to on its web site. He remained active even after the radio show and his longstanding residency at The Landing ended in 2012. In his final years, he appeared in weekly performances at the Cookhouse Restaurant in San Antonio and scheduled many other appearances with his band. His last public performance was just two days before his death. For more about Jim click here: Jim Cullum Jr.
|Ted (Theodore) Curson
|b. 3.6.1935
d. 4.11.2012
|American trumpeter born in Philadelphia where he attended the Granoff School of Music. It was Miles Davis who suggested he move to New York where he worked with Cecil Taylor. His composition Tears For Dolphy has been used in many films. He is probably best known for recording and performing with Charles Mingus, but he was also popular in Finland where he performed regularly at the Pori Jazz Festival. For Ted's obituary click here: Ted Curson
|Chris Dagley
|b. 23.6.1971
d. 28.7.2010
|Chris who was only 38, was a member of Ronnie Scott's house band (the James Pearson Trio). He died in a motorcycle accident after a gig at Ronnie's. He had been a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and had worked with Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Jim Mullen, Don Weller, and the BBC Big Band, amongst others. For Chris's obituary click here: Chris Dagley
|Bryan Daly
|Pino Daniele
|b. 19.3.1955
d. 4.1.2015
|Born in Naples, Pino was an Italian singer, songwriter and guitarist whose work was a fusion of blues, jazz, rock and traditional Neapolitan music. In his 1980 hit album Nero a Meta (Half-black), Daniele blended the blues with popular Neapolitan songs. Absorbing jazz into his work, he performed with such jazz musicians as Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea. For Pino's obituary click here: Pino Daniele.
|Mike Daniels
|b. 13.4.1928
d. 18. 10.2016
|Keith Wicks tells me that he has heard from Don Smith, bass player, that Mike Daniels trumpet player with the Delta Jazzmen passed through the Departure Lounge mid-October. I have not seen any formal announcement of this yet to confirm the news. Keith says: 'I last saw Mike a few years ago at the Spice of Life pub, London, where the Delta Jazzmen had a Friday lunchtime session. The band didn't perform much after that and Mike eventually retired because he felt his playing was not as good as it should be. I admire that.' Formed in 1948, the Delta Jazzmen were a prominent band during revival of New Orleans jazz in England. Mike moved to Spain in the 1960s but he came out of retirement in the 1980s with founding members John Barnes (clarinet and baritone saxophone), Gordon Blundy (trombone), Des Bacon (piano), Geoff Over (banjo), Don Smith (sousaphone and string bass), and Arthur Fryatt (drums, washboard and vocals). With some changes, the band remained active for some time. For Mike's obituary click here: Mike Daniels.
|Sir John Dankworth
Alto Saxophone
|b. 20.9.1927
d. 6.2.2010
|Renowned UK saxophonist, composer and bandleader who was in the vanguard of those bringing modern jazz to Britain. He formed the Johnny Dankworth Seven in 1940 and then various other bands through which passed many top jazz musicians. He gave up the band in 1960 to concentrate of composing and to act as musical director for his wife, vocalist Cleo Laine. They have a son Alec who is a leading bass player and a daughter Jacqui who is an eminent vocalist. Click here for Sir John's obituary: Sir John Dankworth
|James Dapogny
|b. 3.9.1940
d. 6.3.2019
|American jazz musicologist, pianist and bandleader, active principally in the traditional jazz revival scene. Dapogny led an ensemble called the Chicago Jazz Band, founded in 1975, and made many appearances on Prairie Home Companion. He earned a Ph.D in composition, and taught at the University of Michigan beginning in 1966. Dapogny wrote extensively about Jelly Roll Morton, including liner notes for the release of his Library of Congress recordings. He also edited Jazz Masterworks Editions, a series initiated by Oberlin College and the Smithsonian Institute. For more about James click here: James Dupogny.
|Kenny Davern
Soprano Saxophone
|b. 7.1.1935
d. 12.12.2006
|American clarinettist and saxophonist. Click here for obituary. Kenny Davern
|Alan Davie
|b. 28.9.1920
d. 5.4.2014
|Scottish jazz pianist and artist. The Alan Davie Music Workshop made records in the early 1970s and in 1971 gave public music recitals at Gimpels, at the Tate Gallery and at the Camden Arts Centre. There is an album by Alan Davie and Tony Oxley on drums and electronics from the mid-1970s that you can sample and read about if you click here. Click here for Alan's obituary: Alan Davie.
|Cyril Davies
|Blues Harp
|b. 1932
d. 1964
|'Father of the British Blues Harp'. More about Cyril.
|John R.T. Davies
|b. 20.3.1927
d. 24.5.2004
|Trombonist with Sandy Brown and other post-war jazz bands including Mick Mulligan, Ken Colyer, and Acker Bilk. Adopted the name Sheikh Wadi El Yadounia and a fez to play with the Temperence Seven. Started Ristic record label and went on tobecome a major contributor to remastering old recordings. Click here for John's obituary. John R.T. Davies
|Julian Davies
|b. 27.5.1931
d. 14.11.2013
|UK bass player with the Crane River Jazz Band. He was educated in Stowe and was a keen record collector as a young man. He was working for EMI when he heard Keny Colyer and the Cran River band and approached Ken who invited him to join the band. The two became friends, Colyer taking Julian under his wing and teaching him to play jazz and he was soon playing alongside Ken, Monty Sunshine and John R.T. Davies.When the band split up, Julian went to study concrete technology at Nottingham University, but he continued to play and joined the Crane's for there occasional reunions. He retired to Dorset from where he chaired the Ken Colyer Trust as well as continuing to play with the Sunset Cafe Stompers. For Julian's obituary click here: Julian Davies.
|Art Davis
|b. 5.12.1934
d. 29.7.2007
|Played with Max Roachand Dizzy Gillespie from around 1958 to 1961, and with John Coltrane, Quincy Jones and many others. Click here for obituary. Art Davis.
|Beryl Davis
|b. 16.3.1924
d. 28.10.2011
|The singer was born in the Palace Theatre in Plymouth, Devon and her parents were Queenie and Harry Davis. Harry played guitar and banjo and led Oscar Rabin's dance band. Beryl recorded with Al Bowlly when she was twelve, toured and with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, worked with Paul Fenoulhet, Geraldo and Nat Temple and sang at Glenn Miller's last concert before his plane was lost. She moved to Hollywood where she re-married to Buck Stapleton, a drummer with Glen Miller's band. For Beryl's obituary click here: Beryl Davis.
|Charles Davis
|b. 20.5.1933
d. 15.7.2016
|American baritone and tenor saxophonist born in Mississippi who played with Clark Terry, Sun Ra, Kenny Dorham and then in the 1970s played with many of the other top musicians of the time including John Coltrane, Philly Jo Jones and Dizzy Gillespie. In recent years, Charles had returned to playing tenor saxophone with the all-star Jimmy Heath big band while still taking the occasional tour with Marshall Allen's Sun Ra Arkestra. For Charles's obituary click here: Charles Davis.
|Kay Davis
|b. 5.12.1920
d. 27.1.2012
|Clasically trained American singer from Illinois who with Joyce Sherrill and Marie Ellington was one of the three singers in Duke Ellington's band. She sang with Ellington until 1950 when she left to get married and trained to be cordon bleu cook. Click here for Kay's obituary: Kay Davis
|Leo Davis
|Mark of Ealing tells us of the passing of this UK trumpeter - 'A wonderful New Orleans trumpet player. He was with us at the Lord Hood a few times". On the Colchester Jazz Club website, Leo wrote: "I grew up in the East End of London and caught the jazz bug during my final years at school in the late 1950s during what became known as the Trad Boom. I began to go to performances by these bands and as money allowed to buy records. Things changed for me when I heard the Ken Colyer band in 1960 and that took me down the path of listening to the real thing in the shape of the veteran New Orleans musicians ... In 1977, by which time I was living in Havering, I answered an advert in the Melody Maker for a trumpet player to join a New Orleans band which subsequently became the Liberty Hall Stompers .. In 1978 I started the Superior Brass band and still play the occasional parade with the band. In 1998 I moved permanently down to Kent and for a brief period lead a N.O style band called the Rose Leaf Ramblers. I now play in a couple of bands down here and make the occasional foray back into Essex to play with Red Beans n Rice". We do not have an obituary or dates for Leo - perhaps readers can help?
|Nathan Davis
|b. 15.2.1937
d. 8.4.2018
|American saxophonist born in Kansas who played in Paris during the 1960s but returned to the United States in 1969 to become the founding director of the jazz studies program at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1970 he started an annual jazz seminar that continues today; its first edition featured performances and discussions from prominent musicians, including the drummer Art Blakey. (Mr. Davis had played in Blakey's band in Europe.) He also founded the university's Sonny Rollins International Jazz Archives and its International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame. In the 1980s he formed the Paris Reunion Band, a midsize ensemble featuring heavyweight musicians who had played on the Paris scene in the 1960s, among them the saxophonist Joe Henderson and Mr. Shaw. For more about Nathan click here: Nathan Davis.
|Blossom Dearie
|b. 29.4.1926
d. 7.2.2009
|Songwriter, singer and pianist who sang with the Woody Herman and Alvino Rey vocal groups. Moved to Paris in 1952 and formed the Blue Stars of Paris vocal group. Played regularly at Ronnie Scott's Club in London. Click here for Blossom's obituary: Blossom Dearie
|Buddy DeFranco
|b. 17.2.1923
d. 24.12.2014
|American clarinettist born to an Italian/American family who played with Tommy Dorsey, George Shearing, Count Basie and Terry Gibbs amongst many others. His own early quartet included Art Blakey and more recently, in 2006, he received a Jazz Masters Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. His last playing appearance was in 2012. For Buddy's obituary click here: Buddy DeFranco.
|Joey DeFranceso
|b. 10.4.1971
d. 25.8.2022
American jazz organist, trumpeter, saxophonist and occasional singer born in Pennsylvania. He released more than 30 albums under his own name, and recorded extensively as a sideman with such leading jazz musicians as trumpeter Miles Davis, Houston Person and John McLaughlin and many others. 'DeFrancesco's music style was referred to as a swinging Philly sound which he "embellished with his own ferocity and improvisation." He played 200-plus nights a year throughout the course of his career, a feat that he cut back on as of 2013'. Joey DeFrancesco was a four time Grammy Award-nominee, with more than 30 recordings as a leader. In addition to Grammy nominations in 2004, 2010, and 2020, DeFrancesco was a 9-time winner of the Down Beat Critics Poll (organ) and won the Down Beat Readers Poll every year since 2005. He won a number of JazzTimes Awards as well. Obituaries:Wikipedia : New York Times : Music Times :
|Eric Delaney
|b. 22.5.1924
d. 14.7.2011
|UK drummer who won the Best Swing Drummer Award at the age of sixteen, played with Bert Ambrose and formed his own band in 1954. For Eric's obituary click here: Eric Delaney.
|Gloria DeNard
|b. 11.10.1926
d. 30.5.2020
|American vocalist born in New York. A graduate from the Juilliard School Of Music she was the recipient of numerous awards for her ceaseless dedication to her community and the arts. She received the New York City Council Citation for Community Service and the Community Arts Service Award of the 23rd Precinct, plus proclamations from Congressmen, Senators and Governors. In 1967, she established Manna House Workshops that began as a monthly coffee house in the basement of Ascension Church in East Harlem. Music became the major focus and the workshops were moved to a storefront, where economically disadvantaged neighbours could be served. In 1970, with funding from Riverside Church and Chemical Bank, DeNard purchased the building at 338 E 106th Street, in Manhattan and Manna House had a permanent home. The center is a beacon of light in a blighted neighborhood, where students learn the creative power within through music education and concert presentations in East Harlem and the greater New York area. For three generations, the school has prepared hundreds of children for Middle School at Juilliard and for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Obituaries: World NewJ
|Manu Dibango
|b. 12.12.1933
d. 24.3.2020
|Saxophonist / pianist born in the Cameroon who has died in France from Covid-19. His 1972 hit Soul Makossa brought African music to the pop charts, but he recorded and toured with many other musicians. Manu recorded and toured prolifically, appearing worldwide and collaborating with musicians including Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti, Peter Gabriel, and others. At 15 he was sent to Europe to study classical piano and music theory in Paris and Brussels, but he was drawn to jazz, and he began playing saxophone in the early l950s. For more about Manu click here: Manu Dibango.
|Bill Dillard
|Paul Dioro
|b. 6.8.1936
d. 2.2.2022
|American Guitarist born in Connecticut. Joe played with Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, Anita O'Day, Freddie Hubbard and others. Diorio taught at the University of Southern California. He was also one of the first instructors for the Guitar Institute of Technology. He published several instructional books and videos, and released ten albums under his name. Obituaries: Wikipedia : AllAboutJazz : Jazz Guitar Life :
|Diz Disley
b. 27.5.1931
|Born in Shropshire but brought up in Canada, guitar player Diz was a prominent player with many UK jazz bands from the 1940s including recording with Sandy Brown and Al Fairweather in 1956. Influenced by Django Reinhardt he played with Stephane Grapelli and after moving to the Folk scene in the 1960s, in 1984 was involved in forming a hot club quintet for Nigel Kennedy. Click here for more Diz's obotuary: Diz Disley. Click here for more informationn: Diz Disley
|Bill Dixon
|b. 5.10.1925
d. 16.6.2010
|Jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer who founded the United Nations Jazz Society, promoted avante-garde jazz in New York, worked to develop the jazz scene in Greenwich Village coffee houses and taught at Bennington College. Click here for Bill's obituary: Bill Dixon.
|Dottie Dodgion
b. 23.9.1929
|American drummer and singer born Dorothy Giamio in California. As a teenager she sang with Nick Esposito and Charles Mingus and she went on to play drums with many well known jazz musicians including Carl Fontana, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Marian McPartland, Eddie Gomez, Wild Bill Davison, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Ruby Braff, Joe Venuti, Tommy Flanagan and many others. An autobiography, The Lady Swings: Memoirs of a Jazz Drummer was published in March 2021. For more about Dottie click here: Dottie Dodgion. Obituaries: New York Times : Syncopated Times :
|Arne Domnerus
|b. 20.12.1924
d. 2.9.2008
|Swedish alto saxophonist who developed the jazz scene in Stockholm and welcomed many jazz greats to play in that country. and recorded with Clark terry and Benny Carter in the 1990s.For Arne's obituary click here: Arne Domnerus.
|Bob Dorough
|b. 12.12.1923
d. 23.4.2018
|American bebop and cool jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger and producer. He worked with Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie and his adventurous style influenced Mose Allison. During World War II, he participated in Army bands as pianist, clarinetist, saxophonist, and arranger. After that, he attended North Texas State University, where he studied composition and piano. Miles Davis liked the album, and in 1962 when Columbia Records asked Davis to make a Christmas record, he sought out Dorough to provide lyrics and vocals. Blue Xmas appeared on the compilation album Jingle Bell Jazz. During that session Dorough recorded another song for Davis, "Nothing Like You," which appeared a few years later at the end of the Sorcerer album, making Dorough one of the few musicians with a vocal performance on a Miles Davis record. For more about Bob click here: Bob Dorough
|Jackie Dougan
b. c1930
|Jim Douglas
|b. 1942
|Friend and fellow musician who played with Sandy in the 1960s. Also member of Alex Welsh band. For letter from Jim click here.
|Kit Downes
|b. 26.5.1986
|British pianist who started out with the bands Empirical. Named by Helen Mayhew in Jazzwise as a musician to look out for in 2008. Since then he has expanded his various projects and bands to become one of the most respected jazz musicians in the UK. More about Kit.
|Martin Drew
b. 11.2.1944
|The British drummer who worked for Ronnie Scott and Oscar Peterson died at Harefield hospital following a heart attack at his home in Wembley. He worked with many musicians whilst he was at Ronnie's including Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Dexter Gordon. For Martin's obituary click here: Martin Drew.
|Geoff Driscoll
|d. 2016
|Information needed. Please contact us.
|Brian 'Dipper' Duddy
|d. 2015
|UK drummer with the Canal Street Jazz Band. Bass player Ron Drakeford says: 'When Canal Street was disbanded, Dipper went on to play with numerous bands and musicians - the Georgia Jazz Band, Mac Duncan's Band, and for a good period towards the end of his playing he was with Vintage Jazz. Click here for our page on Dipper Duddy.
|George Duke
|b. 12.1.1946
d. 5.8.2013
American keyboard player, vocalist, composer and producer who collaborated with Cannonball Adderley, Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Quincy Jones, Frank Zappa, Billy Cobham, John Scofield and Michael Jackson. He led his own jazz-fusion band and partnered bassist Stanley Clarke. His most popular album was A Brazilian Love Affair, reflecting his passion for the country and its music. He played often at the Montreux Jazz Festival. For George's obituary click here: George Duke.
|Johnny Duncan
|Mac Duncan
|b. 9.2.1930
d. 27.10.1981
|Jerzy Dunin-Kozicki
|Cornell Dupree
|b. 19.12.1942
d. 8.5.2011
|Born in Texas, he first learned saxophone before switching to guitar. He joined King Curtis band the King Pins and went on to work on many historic recordings by Miles Davis, Etta James, Archie Shepp, Lena Horne and especially Aretha Franklin. For Cornell's obituary click here: Cornell Dupree.
|Bobby Durham
|b. 3.2.1937
d. 6.7.2008
|Drummer Bobby Durham was born in Philadelphia. He was fired by Duke Ellington but worked with a string of other prominent bands including those of Oscar Peterson, Cat Anderson, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. For Bobby's obituary click here: Bobby Durham
|Eddie Durham
|b. 19.8.1906
d. 6.3.1987
|American jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer, and arranger. He was one of the pioneers of the electric guitar in jazz. The orchestras of Bennie Moten, Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. Obituaries: Wikipedia :
|Judith Durham
|b. 3.7.1943
d. 5 8. 2022
Australian singer best know as the lead singer for the folk group The Seekers, but in her early life she trained as a classical pianist and then had classical vocal training and performed blues, gospel and jazz pieces. 'Her singing career began one night at the age of 18 when she asked Nicholas Ribush, leader of the Melbourne University Jazz Band, at the Memphis Jazz Club in Malvern, whether she could sing with the band. In 1963, she began performing at the same club with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers, using her mother's maiden name of Durham. In that year she also recorded her first EP, Judy Durham, with Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers for W&G Records.' Obituaries: Wikipedia : The Telegraph : The Independent :
|Snooks Eaglin
|b. 21.1.1936
d. 18.2.2009
|Fird Eaglin Jr - a blind New Orleans guitar player with an amazing ability to remember over 2,000 tunes and used his incredibly long fingers rather than a plectrum. Played with Allen Toussaint in a band called the Flamingoes, but remained in New Orleans for most of his life. Inspired many rock and R&B guitar players. For Snook's obituary click here: Snooks Eaglin.
|Stu Eaton
|b. 19.4.1927
|Early school friend of Sandy and Al. Trumpet player with Sandy's first band. More about Stu.
|David 'Honeyboy' Edwards
|Blues guitar
|b. 28.6.1915
d. 29.8.2011
American blues guitarist and singer who was thought to be the last of the Delta bluesmen who included Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Big Joe Williams. He is reported to have said of white blues players: 'They've got good fingers, but most of them don't have the voice. Let me tell you something, the blues was meant to be played slow, and they play it too fast.' Click here for Honeyboy's obituary: Honeyboy Edwards.
|Ramblin' Jack Elliott
|Herb Ellis
|b. 4.8.1921
d. 28.3.2010
|Guitar player from Farmersville, near Dallas, who joined Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra in the 1940s and later became the guitarist with the Oscar Peterson Trio. Herb also played with many other jazz greats throughout his career. For Herb's obituary click here: Herb Ellis
|Pee Wee Ellis
|b. 21.4.1941
d. 23.9.2021
|American saxophonist born Alfred Ellis in Florida but who lived in England for the last 30 years of his life. Still at high school he played with Ron Carter and Chuck Mangione. He has lessons with Sonny Rollins and went to Manhattan School of Music. He joined James Brown in 1965. As well as leading his own groups he played at various times with many other musicians including George Benson, David Liebman, Maceo Parker, Van Morrison and Ginger Baker establishing 'Jazz Funk'. In 2014 he received an honorary doctorate from Bath Spa University. For more about Pee Wee click here: Pee Wee Ellis. Obituaries: The Independent : The Guardian :
|John Ellson
|b. 1954
|UK Trumpeter, but primarily a manager and concert producer. He worked with John Cumming on the Camden Jazz Festival and they expanded it to become the London Jazz Festival. He managed musicians such as saxophonists John Surman and Andy Sheppard; with Emma Perry set up Global Mix, a record company that let musicians retain ownership and copyright of their albums, and brought his pioneering Made in the UK series to the Xerox Rochester international jazz festival in the US from 2008, thereby helping to launch the careers of young British jazz artists in the States. For John's obituary click here: John Ellson.
|Dave Evans
|b. 8.2.1942
d. 03.1.2017
|Self-taught UK drummer who played with Keith Smith's Climax Jazz Band and accompanied many visiting musicians including Lil Hardin. He also played in New York and Minnesota on Garrison Keiller's Prairie Home Companion radio show with Butch Thompson's Anglo-US King Oliver Centennial Band; the Confederates Jazz Band; Johnny Parker's Reunion Band and, until the end with the One More Time Band at The Brewery Tap and various clubs and festivals with The Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band. For an appreciation of Dave click here: Dave Evans.
|Jamie Evans
|b. 16.10.41
Started playing on the London scene in the late '50s and piano positions included bands of Dick Williams, Bill Nile, Cy Preston, Clyde Valley Stompers, Sonny Dee Big Band, John Chilton, Bill Greenow, Al Fairweather, Alvin Roy, Ted Wood, Lennie Hastings Ooh-yah Band, Alan Cooper Trio, plus gigs with just about everyone around at various times. Lives in south-west London.
|Nick Evans
|b. 9.7.1947
|Bob Fairley
|Al Fairweather
b. 12.6.1927
|Close friend from Edinburgh's Royal High School days who for a number of years shared leadership of the band with Sandy. Left to join Acker Bilk's band in 1966. Later played with Stan Greig's London Jazz Big Band and Ralph Laing's Groove Juice
|Jack Fallon
|Double Bass
Bass Guitar
|b. 13.10.1915
|Wally Fawkes
Sprano Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
|b. 21.6.1924
|Alvin Fielder
|b. 23.11.1935
d. 5.1.2019
|American drummer bor in Mississippi and initially influenced by Max Roach. He was a founder member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), Black Arts Music Society, Improvisational Arts Trio/Quartet/Quintet, and was a founding faculty member of the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp. Played with Sun Ra, Eddie Harris, Fred Anderson, Roscoe Mitchell and kidd Jordan amongst others. For more about Alvin click here: Alvin Fielder.
|Wilton Felder
|Tenor Saxophone
|b. 31.8.1940
d. 27.9.2015
|A tenor saxophonist from Texas who also played bass guitar and who was part of the original Jazz Crusaders. He can be heard on the famous Street Life recording. His bass guitar playing secured him work in the Hollywood studios although he did release albums under his own name in the 1970s and 1980s. For Witon's obituary click here: Wilton Felder.
|Ernie Felice
|b. 11.4.1922
d. 13.9.2015
Jazz accordion player who was a member of the Benny Goodman Orchestra. In the late 1950s in Los Angeles he hosted his own TV show and set up a record label with Les Paul. In 2010 he was honoured at the GRAMMY Museum. Click here for our page on Ernie Felice. Click here for the Ernie Felice website.
|Clive Fenner
b. 6.6.1949
|UK drummer well-known at Eastside Jazz Club in East London where he was involved both in organising the club and playing with his Clive Fenner Quintet and Quartet. He was also Director and founder of The International French Jazz Summer School and The Cuban Music School. For more about Clive click here: - Clive Fenner.
|Lionel Ferbos
|b. 17.7.1911
d. 19.7.2014
New Orleans trumpeter who at 102 was thought to be the oldest performing jazz musician. Starting out with New Orleans society jazz bands he performed with Walter Pichon and Captain John Handy, saxophonist Harold Dejan, trumpeters Herbert Leary and Gene Ware and vocalist Mamie Smith. He continued to play in New Orleans whilst having a day job as a metalworker in the French Quarter, eventually taking over the family firm.For Lionel's obituary click here: Lionel Ferbos.
|John Ferguson
|Double Bass
|b. 2.6.1932
d. 12.2011
|The Glaswegian double bass player was unexpectedly taken to hospital from his home in London in December 2011 with chest and lung problems. It is said that he suffered from asbestosis from working as a construction worker when he was a young man. Clarinetist John Evans says that John Ferguson 'had played with virtually everyone over a period of forty years. He was a good bass player, quiet and ironic and funny in a quiet sort of way.' Piano and bass player Ron Rubin was shocked to hear the news: 'Not so long ago I was playing with him, John Barnes and Wally Fawkes at the Bowling Club'. John had also been playing regularly at the King's Head in Crouch End, on Fridays at the Spice of Life in Soho and with Chris Hodgkin, John Evans, Mike Nash, Max Britton and Don Cook in North Kensington.
|Clare Fischer
|b. 22.10.1928
d. 26.1.2012
|American pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and Grammy award winner (he was nominated 11 times!) who worked with Donald Byrd and Dizzy Gillespie amongst others. He started his own group Salsa Picante in 1975. For Clare's obituary click here: Clare Fischer.
|Roy Fisher
|b. 11.6.1930
d. 21.3.2017
|British poet who was also a jazz pianist.. Born in Birmingham, as a teenager he became interested in jazz and taught himself to play the piano. He was particularly influenced by a group of Chicago musicians including Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell, and the pianist Joe Sullivan. By his late teens he was playing in public with local bands. In 1971 Fisher moved to Keele University where he taught in the Department of American Studies until 1982. After leaving Keele he continued to work as a writer and jazz musician, a second career he had sustained since the late 1950s playing with a number of his childhood heroes including Bud Freeman and Wild Bill Davison when they were touring Britain. For more about Roy click here: Roy Fisher.
|Bob Flanigan
|b. 22.8.1926
d. 15.5.2011
|Singer with the close-harmony vocal group The Four Freshmen who modelled their music on Stan Kenton's arrangements. They were admired by Woody herman and Dizzy Gillespie and they released their popular version of Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo in 1954. For Bob's obituary click here: Bob Flanigan.
|Bob Florence
Band Leader
|b. 20.5.1932
d. 15.5.2008
|Pianist born in Los Angeles who led the big band Bob Florence's Limited Edition. Joined Les Brown's band and then Si Zentor. Wrote arrangements for many bands and artists including Harry James, Louie Bellson, Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich Click here for obituary: Bob Florence.
|Clinton Ford
|b. 4.11.1931
d. 21.10.2009
|Initially known as a skiffle singer, ClintonFord was famous as the vocalist with the Mersysippi Jazz Band in Liverpool and with Kenny Ball's Jazzmen. He was a frequent guest artist with many other bands including the Clyde Valley Stompers and George Chisholm's Gentlemen of Jazz. For Clinton's obituary click here: Clinton Ford
|Jim 'Farrie' Forsyth
|Sonny Fortune
|b. 19.5.1939
d. 25.10.2018
|Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune - American jazz saxophonist born in Philadelphia who played soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, clarinet, and flute. Played with Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Nat Adderley and many others as well as leading his own group. For more about Sonny click here: Sonny Fortune.
|Frank Foster
|b. 23.9.1928
d. 26.7.2011
|Tenor saxophonist from Cincinnati, Ohio who played with the Count Basie Orchestra and who led the orchestra for nine year's after Basie's death in 1984. For Frank's obituary click here: Frank Foster.
|Pete Fountain
|b. 3.7.1930
d. 6.8.2016
New Orleans clarinettist Pete Fountain was born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine. As a child he suffered from weak lungs and he was advised to learn a wind instrument to strengthen them. At nine he took up the clarinet and by his mid-teens, was playing with bands along Bourbon Street. By the age of 20 he was already established and by 25 he had his own band, Pete Fountain and his Three Coins. Discovered by television he moved to Chicago and then Los Angeles but always missed New Orleans and eventually moved back, acquired a Bourbon Street saloon, the French Quarter Inn, where he played with his Three Coins, and set up a parade band, the Half-Fast Walking Club Band. His home was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and his health declined. Nevertheless he continued to play for a few more years before he retired. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete Fountain.
|Johnny Fourie
|b. 18.5.1937
d. 19.8.2007
|South African guitarist who came to London in the 1960s and played with the Ray Ellington Quartet and Ronnie Scott. He returned to South Africa and changed from playing Be-Bop to playing Jazz Fusion. Click here for Johnny's obituary: Johnny Fourie.
|Ray Foxley
|b. 28.12.1928
d. 6.7.2002
|UK pianist and composer Ray Foxley was born in Birmingham in 1928. In 1946, he formed the Gutbucket Six and then the Levee Ramblers before moving to London to work with Bobby Mickleburgh, Mick Mulligan, Chris Barber and Mike Daniels. He played with Ken Colyer's band, then moved back to the Midlands. He played with many other groups including Ken Ingram and Rod Mason's bands before returning to London and Ken Colyer in 1986. When Ken Colyer died, Ray played with the Colyer Trust Band until 1994. For Ray's obituary click here: Ray Foxley
|Aretha Franklin
|b. 25.3.1942
d. 16.8.2018
|Legendary American 'Queen Of Soul'. 'Ms. Franklin's airborne, constantly improvisatory vocals had their roots in gospel. It was the music she grew up on in the Baptist churches where her father, the Rev. Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, known as C. L., preached. .... But gospel was only part of her vocabulary. The playfulness and harmonic sophistication of jazz, the ache and sensuality of the blues, the vehemence of rock and, later, the sustained emotionality of opera were all hers to command. ..... Mr. Hammond saw Ms. Franklin as a jazz singer tinged with blues and gospel. He recorded her with the pianist Ray Byant's small groups in 1960 and 1961 for her first studio album, "Aretha," which sent two singles to the R&B Top 10: "Today I Sing the Blues" and "Won't Be Long." The annual critics' poll in the jazz magazine DownBeat named her the new female vocal star of the year'. For Aretha's obituary click here: Aretha Franklin.
|Phil Franklin
|b. 1.7.1937
d. 2021
|British drummer. We have no obituary or details about Phil's passing, but Phil Kent writes: 'I learned only yesterday about the sad parting of British drummer Phil Franklin. During the '70's - I was the bass player with The Phil Franklin Quartet. We toured all over Europe - and shortly after that - we recorded an album at a Studio in Surrey.' Phil Franklin was born in London on 1st July 1937. He played with many bands during his career including those of Eric Silk, Mike Daniels, Max Collie, Cy Laurie, Steve Lane, Monty Sunshine and George Webbamongst others. He worked with various Swiss and German bands during the 1980s and at various times led his own bands. In the late 1960s Phil was Promotions Manager for the Premier Drum Company and then Tour Manager for Harold Davison's Agency. [Please let us know if you come across an obituary for Phil or remember more details of him].
|Bud Freeman
|Von Freeman
|b. 3.10.1923
d. 11.8.2012
|American tenor saxophonist Earl Lavon Freeman who stayed in his birth city of Chicago even when he was asked to leave to join Miles Davis. He played with Horace Henderson, John Young, Sun Ra, Ahmad Jamal and Andrew Hill and sat in with Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and others. He only made recordings under his own name when he reached his late forties. For Von's obituary click here: Von Freeman.
|Jeremy French
b. 4.7.1931
|Don Friedman
|b. 4.5.1935
d. 30.6.2016
|Born in San Franciso, pianist Don Friedman discovered jazz at the age of 15 when he moved to Los Angeles. He played with West Coast musicians like Shorty Rogers and Buddy Collette, moved to New York where he played with Buddy DeFranco, and then in the 1960s with the whole spectrum of jazz musicians from Clark Terry to Eric Dolphy to Bobby Hackett. He was also a prolific solo artist. For Don's obituary click here: Don Friedman.
|Johnny Frigo
|Double Bass
|b. 27.12.1916
d. 4.7.2007
|Chicago musician who changed to playing the violin in 1988. Sat in with Albert Ammons and played with Tommy Dorsey Al Haig, Kai Winding and formed the Soft WindsTrio with Lou Carter and Herb Ellis. Click here for Johnny's obituary: Johnny Frigo. Or here for Johnny's website
|Laurie Frink
|b. 8.8.1951
d. 13.7.2013
|American trumpet player from Nebraska who worked with the Benny Goodman and Mel Lewis Orchestras and with Gerry Muligan's Concert Jazz band. She wrote the book: Fexus: Trumpet Calisthenics for the Modern Improvisor and she was a faculty member for several jazz conservatories, mentoring many of today's jazz musicians. For Laurie's obituary click here: Laurie Frink.
|Dave Frishberg
|b. 3.3.1933
|American jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist born in Minnesota. As a teenager he played in the house band at the Flame in St. Paul where Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, and Johnny Hodges appeared. He first became known for his work with Carmen McRae, Ben Webster, Gene Krupa, Eddie Condon, Al Cohn, and Zoot Sims. His songs, including Peel Me A Grape and I Want To Be A Sideman have been performed by Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney, Shirley Horn, Anita O'Day, Stacey Kent and others. Frishberg wrote the music and lyrics for I'm Just a Bill, the song about the forlorn legislative writ in the ABC Schoolhouse Rock! series. Wikipedia. Obituaries: New York Times; Washington Post;
|Arthur Fryatt
|Knud Fryland
|Curtis Fuller
|b. 15.12.1932
d. 8.5.2021
American trombonist born in Detroit. He spent several years in an orphanage and developed a passion for jazz after one of the nuns there brought him to see Illinois Jacquet and his band perform, with J. J. Johnson on trombone. He attended a public school in his hometown, together with Paul Chambers, Donald Byrd, Tommy Flanagan, Thad Jones, and Milt Jackson and went on to play with Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Yusef Lateef, Miles Davis, Art Farmer-Benny Golson's Jazztet, became the sixth man in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1961, and later toured with Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. For more about Curtis click here: Curtis Fuller. Obituaries: New York Times :
|Will Gaines
|b. 6.4.1928
d. 7.5.2014
|American tap dancer / hoofer who moved to the UK (Rotherham and later Leigh-on-Sea) in the 1960s. In America he had performed in Harlem alongside Charlie Parker, Cab Calloway, Django Reinhardt and Nat King Cole, in the UK, he worked Humphrey Lyttelton, Alex Welsh, Ronnie Scott , Stan Tracey and Derek Bailey. He regularly played the London Palladium and performed for Princess Margaret. He was a popular visitor to the Edinburgh festival, 'where he would improvise steps to any aural stimulation going, from jazz to readings of modern poetry'. For Will's obituary click here: Will Gaines.
|Eddie Gale
|b. 15.8.1941
d. 10.7.2020
|American trumpeter born in New York. He played with Cecil Taylor, Larry Young, Elvin Jones, John Coltrane, Jackie McLean and Booker Elvin and others. During the 1960s and 1970s, he toured and recorded extensively with Sun Ra, who influenced him greatly until Ra's death in 1993. After a yearlong stint as artist in residence at Stanford University, Gale moved to San Jose, California in 1972. For more about Eddie click here: Eddie Gale. New York Times obituary.
|Jim Galloway
|b. 28.7.1936
d. 30.12.2014
|Mike Walmsley writes: 'Jim was an internationally known soprano, tenor and baritone saxophonist from Scotland, playing mostly in Toronto. He was always a pleasure to play with and listen to. He had a wicked sense of fun and humour.' Jim Galloway was born in Ayrshire in 1936. He went to Glasgow School of Art in 1954 at which time he started to play clarinet. After playing with Alex Dalgleish, he formed his own band the Jazzmakers in 1961 then moved to Toronto, Canada in 1964. There he established his reputation as a saxophonist and bandleader. He returned to Scotland on a number of occasions, playing gigs like the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and in Canada hosted a radio programme and acted as a booking agent for Café des Copains. For Jim's obituary click here: Jim Galloway.
|Peter Galpin
|b. 1950
d. 10.2012
|Oxford based jazz, blues and soul guitarist nicknamed 'Mr Chill Out' who played in the bands The Julian Line and Blue Rumour. Born in Cheadle, he lived for the last 20 years in Oxford where he taught and where he played in local venues. For Peter's obituary click here: Peter Galpin.
|George Galway
|d. 4.10.2020
|Irish reeds player and brother of James Galway. Played with Show Bands but also Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Kenny Baker, Jiggs Wigham, Roy Williams, Humphrey Lyttleton, Digby Fairweather to name just a few. For more about George click here: George Galway. Obituary: Jazz North West.
|Paul Gamblin
|d. 16.10.2010
|UK guitarist. David Speake says of Paul: 'I worked alongside him in the 80's in a band with Martin Speake, Simon Purcell, Dudley Phillips and Dawson Miller. I remember him being the perfect replacement for the previous guitarist and a totally cool guy. He was an extremely good player, but very humble, always even tempered and a pleasure to work with.' If you would like to add your comments to the Book of Condolence for Paul click here
|Allan Ganley
|b. 11.3.1931
d. 29.3.2008
|Drummer, composer and arranger born in Tolworth, Surrey. Played with many famous bands and musicians, but particularly with John Dankworth. He was also house drummer at Ronnie Scott's Club for three years. Click here for Allan's obituary: Allan Ganley. Or here for Allan's website.
|Russ Garcia
|b. 12.4.1916
d. 19.11.2011
|American trumpeter and arranger who initially played for Horace Heidt and Al Donahue. In the 1950s he wrote arrangements for Buddy De Franco, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Hodges and Charlie Barnet and recorded under his own name. His group, the Wigville Band, included Charlie Mariano, Jimmy Giuffre and Pete and Conte Candoli. Russ eventually moved to New Zealand. For Russ's obituary click here: Russ Garcia.
|James Gardiner-Bateman
|b. 1985
|British alto-saxophone player attending Royal Academy of Music from 2008 and playing with Dennis Rollins's Badbone & Co and a number of Bristol based bands including Hélélé. More about James
|Robin Gardner
|b. ?
d. 1. 2010
|Mel Henry remembers Robin who passed through the Departure Lounge in January. 'He was a good friend, a wonderful guy, and much loved in the West London jazz scene. He was the son of Freddie Gardner, one of the finest English sax players pre-war. Robin was given a rousing send-off at the Bull's Head on Thursday 28th January with lots of music from mates of the Sound of Seventeen big band (he led the trombone section). I vaguely remember playing with a four-man trombone front line (all considerably better than me) at the end - Robin would have been proud.' (We have not ben able to find an obituary link for Robin).
|Lou Gare
|b. 16.6.1939
d. 6.10.2017
|UK free-jazz saxophonist born in Rugby. He worked with music ensemble AMM and played with musicians such as Eddie Prévost, Mike Westbrook, Cornelius Cardew, Keith Rowe and Sam Richards. He was a member of Synchronicity (Richards, David Stanley, Sarah Frances) from the 1990s through to 2002 and played throughout the Southwest and toured the Czech Republic. For information about Lou click here: Lou Gare.
|Willie Garnett
|b. 25.8.1938
d. 15.10.2021
|UK saxophonist born in Haifa, British Palestine, although the family eventually returned to the UK in 1944. He played with Alexis Korner, Alan Stuart's Octet, Brian Leake's Sweet and Sour, the London Jazz Big Band (with which he was one of the original members with Stan Greig and Tony Milliner) in the late 1970s, Charlie Watts' Orchestra, and numerous other bands. His son Alex, is also a jazz saxophonist. Obituary: Jazzwise : There is more about Willie in Mike Hogh's Profile - click here.
|Michael Garrick
|b. 30.5.1933
d. 11.11.2011
|UK composer and pianist whose recording of Blues For The Lonely with Joe Harriott and Shake Keane on a Poetry and Jazz EP was a significant step in a career that went on to see him make 30 albums, including Dusk Fire with Ian Carr-Don Rendell, and become a respected teacher at Trinity College, the Royal Academy and the Guildhall School of Music in London as well as establishing his own Jazz Academy. Click here for Michael's obituary: Michael Garrick.
|Al Gay
|b. 1928
d. 2013
|Pete Neighbour tells us that UK tenor saxophonist Al Gay passed through the Departure Lounge in October. We still have to verify this as we have not yet seen an obituary for Al. Over the past few years, Al has chosen to be 'incommunicado'. Born in 1928, Al played with the Jive Bobers before joining Freddy Randall's band in 1953. He went on to play with Bob Wallis's Storyville Jazzmen, Alex Welsh, the Animals' Big Band, the World's Greatest Jazz band, the Stan Greig's London Jazz Big Band and with Digby Fairweather, Laurie Chescoe and Ron Russell.
|Kofi Ghanaba
|b. 4.5.1923
d. 22.12.2008
|Otherwise known as Guy Warren, but whose real name was Gamaliel Akwei was a drummer who pioneered Afro-jazz. Associated with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk he was originally part of E.T. Mensah's high life band in 1947. Played with Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists in London in 1950. For Kofi's obituary click here: Kofi Ghanaba
|Jon Gibson
b. 11.3.1940
|American flautist, saxophonist, composer, and visual artist, known as one of the founding members of the Philip Glass Ensemble and as a key player on several seminal minimalist music compositions. His mastery of circular breathing techniques made him crucial to the development of Glass' sound. Gibson performed in the premieres of In C by Terry Riley and Drumming by Steve Reich, as well as Reich's 1967 composition Reed Phase, which Reich wrote especially for him.For a time in the 1960s, alongside Philip Glass & Steve Reich, Gibson performed the music of Moondog during weekly sessions with the composer, recordings of which were made by Reich. For more about Jon click here: Jon Gibson. Obituaries: New York Times : Washington Post :
|João Gilberto
|b. 10.6.1931
d. 6.7.2019
|Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world he was often called "father of bossa nova"; in his native Brazil, he was referred to as "O Mito" ("The Legend"). In 1963, Gilberto collaborated with American jazz musician Stan Getz on the album Getz/Gilberto which was released the following year. Jobim played the piano for the album while Gilberto's then-wife Astrud performed the vocals in English while he sang in Portuguese. Although Astrud Gilberto was only in the recording studio to be with her husband, João Gilberto requested her to sing on several of the tracks as he could not sing in English.This resulted with a duet between the two on the track "The Girl from Ipanema" which became a major hit from the album. At the 7th Annual Grammy Awards, Getz/Gilberto won three awards including Album of the Year, which marked the first time a jazz album received the accolade. Click here for the obituary from The Guardian.
|Jimmy Giuffre
|b. 26.4.1921
d. 24.4.2008
|Clarinettist and composer who played with many musicians including Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Roland, Shelly Manne, Shorty Rogers, Jack Sheldon and fronted his own bands. Wrote the number 'Four Brothers', and from 1957 also became a music teacher. For Jimmy's obituary click here: Jimmy Giuffre.
|Tony Glover
|b. 7.10.1939
d. 29.5.2019
|American Blues harmonica player born in Minnestota. Better known as Tony "Little Sun" Glover, he was associated with "Spider" John Koerner and Dave "Snaker" Ray in the early 1960s roots revival. Together, the three released albums under the name Koerner, Ray & Glover. Glover was also the author of diverse "harp" (blues harmonica) songbooks and a co-author, along with Ward Gaines and Scott Dirks, of an award-winning biography of Little Walter, Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story. For more about Tony click here: Tony Glover
|Andy González
|Double Bass
|b. 1.1.1951
d. 9.4.2020
|American double bass player from the Bronx. He and his brother Jerry Gonzalez were founding members of Conjunto Libre and Grupo Folklórico y Experímental Nuevayorquíno. Andy played at various times with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Eddie Plamieri and Kip Hanrahan For more about Andy click here: Andy González. New York Times obituary.
|Belle Gonzalez
|Singer on the Sandy Brown album Dr McJazz. Click here for our profile of Belle Gonzalez.
|Jerry González
|b. 5.6.1949
d. 1.10.2018
|American trumpeter and percussionist who was born in Manhattan into a family of Puerto Rican heritage, grew up in the Bronx and later moved to Spain. He was a central figure in Latin jazz, especially through the Fort Apache Band, which he formed with his bass-playing brother, Andy González. He also played with Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner and others. For more about Jerry click here: Jerry González
|Coleridge Goode
|b. 29.11.1914
d. 2.10.2015
|Named after composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the bass player who has died aged 100 was born in Jamaica. He played on Django Reinhardt's Belleville, and established on the British jazz scene, went on to play with George Shearing, Joe Harriott, In 2011 he was honoured at the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group's awards for services to jazz, and in 2014 he celebrated his 100th birthday at a special performance organised for him at the London Jazz Festival. For Coleridge's obituary click here: Coleridge Goode.
|Benny Goodman
b. c1927
|Mick Goodrick
|b. 9.6.1945
d. 16.11.2022
|American guitarist born in Pennsylvania. He became interested in jazz at a Stan Kenton Band Camp, attended the Berklee School of Music from 1963–1967, taught at Berklee, then spent a few years touring with Gary Burton. After returning to Boston, he settled into a career largely as an educator. His students included Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and John Scofield. Goodrick worked with Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra during the 1980s and early 1990s, with Jack DeJohnette in the late 1980s, and with Steve Swallow in the late 1990s. He performed in a duo with Pat Metheny at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2005 and with Wolfgang Muthspiel at the Jazz Standard in 2008. Obituaries Wikipedia : Jazz Times : Premier Guitar :
|Eydie Gormé
|b. 16.8.1928
d. 10.8.2013
|American singer who worked with the Tommy Tucker and Tex Beneke's bands and the Ray Eberle orchestra before branching out on her own. Married to singer Steve Lawrence they frequently perofrmed together as well as following their individual careers. For Eydie's obituary click here: Eydie Gormé
|Bobby Graham
|b. 11.3.1940
d. 14.9.2009
|Born Robert Neate in North London, he left school intending to be a jazz drummer but was offered work playing rock and roll which he did successfully for most of his career playing with Joe Brown, Marty Wilde, the John Barry Seven and many others. In the 1980s he moved away from music but later returned forming his own band The Jazz Experience. For Bobby's obituary click here: Bobby Graham
|Henry Gray
|b. 19.1.1925
d. 17.2.2020
|American Blues pianist born in Louisiana who played and recorded with many artists, including Robert Lockwood Jr., Billy Boy Arnold, Morris Pejoe, the Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. He has more than 58 albums to his credit, including recordings for Chess Records. He is credited as helping to create the distinctive sound of the Chicago blues piano. Henry began studying the piano at the age of eight, taking lessons from a neighborhood woman, Mrs. White. Gray also credits the radio and music records in his home for inspiring his love of music at an early age. A few years later, he began playing piano and organ at the local Baptist church, and his family eventually acquired a piano for the house. Playing the blues was not encouraged in his family, but Henry played blues at Mrs. White's house, and by the time he was 16 he was playing blues at a club in Alsen. His father initially disapproved of the job but became supportive after seeing how much money his son was making. For more about Henry click here: Henry Gray.
|Johnnie Gray
|d. 2014
|UK saxophonist born in Coventry. He played with Ted Heath's 1945 Big Band and then Sydney Lipton's band at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. In 1952, he formed his own 10-piece band, Johnnie Gray and his Band of the Day, which toured Europe and America. When big bands started to decline, he opened an instrument repair shop, a booking agency and became a session musician recording with The Beatles, Nat King Cole and others. His band was the resident backing and for ITV's Spot The Tune. For Johnnie's obituary click here: Johnnie Gray.
|Buddy Greco
|b. 14.8 1926
d. 10.1. 2017
|American pianist and singer who came to notice with Benny Goodman's big band and sextet in the late 1940s. He entered Las Vegas as 'a lounge singer with a propulsive, swinging style that he applied to a long list of standards, and, in a recording career that generated more than 60 albums, genres ranging from country to rock 'n' roll.' "Ballads are all well and good, but there's no debating what Buddy Greco does best: swing," Will Friedwald wrote in "A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers" (2010). "Pure swing. Explosive, relentless, insensitive sometimes, almost even annoying swing." For Buddy's obituary click here: Buddy Greco.
|Dave Green
|Double Bass
|b. 5.3.1942
|Bill Greenow
|b. 21.7.1940
d. 7.10.2011
|UK clarinettist and saxophonist who used to play with Barry Martyn, and with Cuff Billett in the band Strong Jazz. He joined Les Haricots Rouge, then the Temperance Seven. Bill moved to Sweden and then joined the Belgian Gypsiy group Waso. He moved to France and played with Lars Edegran's band before returning to Britain in 1994. Jamie Evans recalls that Bill played in Bill Nile's Goodtime Band and recalls gigging a lot with Bill in the 1970s and 1980s. Bill had been seriously ill in hospital in Gillingham, Kent with cardiovascular disease and a leg amputation and passed peacefully through the Departure Lounge in hospital on October 7th. For more information about Bill, click here: Bill Greenow
|Pete Gresham
|b. 21.5.1938
d. 2020
|Phil Kent tells us that 'Pete Gresham who was the pianist in the early days with Bob Wallis - and with whom I played bass many times has sadly passed away today as a result of catching the Coronavirus. He will be sadly missed'. Pete was born in East Ham, London and joined Steve Lane's band when he was sixteen. He went on to play with the Storyville Jazzman, the band that Bob Wallis took over. Pete also worked with Monty Sunshine, Pete Strange, Digby Fairweather, Keith Smith, John Petters and Denny Ilett as well as leading his own band.
|Stan Greig
|b. 12.8.1930
d. 18 11.2012
|Scottish pianist, drummer and bandleader who with Sandy Brown and Al Fairweather emerged in the 1940s and 1950s to make a great impression on UK jazz. Stan went on to play with Humphrey Lyttelton and Acker Bilk and was instrumental is setting up the London Jazz Big Band as well as leading his own groups. For Stan's obituary click here: Stan Greig.
|Johnny Griffin
|b. 24.4.1928
d. 25.7.2008
|Chicago born tenor saxophonist who played with Lionel Hampton, Bud Powell, Thelonius Monk, Art Blakey and John Coltrane. For Johnny's obituary click here: Johnny Griffin.
|Henry Grimes
|Double Bass
|b. 3.11.1935
d. 15.4.2020
|American double bass player, violinist, and poet born in Philadelphia. he recorded and performed with many msuicians including Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Anita O'Day, Benny Goodman and Charles Mingus. He becae interested in free jazz, playing with Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler and others. He released one album, The Call, as a trio leader in 1965. In the late 1960s, Grimes's career came to a halt after his move to California. It was commonly assumed Grimes had died; he was listed as such in several jazz reference works.Then Marshall Marrotte, a social worker and jazz fan, set out to discover Grimes's fate once and for all. In 2002, he found Grimes alive but nearly destitute, without a bass to play, renting a tiny apartment in Los Angeles writing poetry and doing odd jobs to support himself. He had fallen out of touch with the jazz world and was unaware Albert Ayler had died in 1970, but was eager to perform again. He stopped performing in 2018, with the onset of the effects of Parkinson's disease and died at the age of 84 from complications of Covid-19. For more about Henry click here: Henry Grimes. New York Post obituary.
|Steve Grossman
b. 18.1.1951
|American saxophonist born in Brooklyn. A jazz fusion and hard bop saxophonist he was Wayne Shorter's replacement in Miles Davis' jazz-fusion band. From 1971 to 1973, he was in Elvin Jones' band and in the late 1970s, he was part of the Stone Alliance trio with Don Alias and Gene Perla. The group released four albums during this period, including one featuring Brazilian trumpeter Márcio Montarroyos. The albums also feature an array of other musicians. They went on to release three live reunion albums during the 2000s.For more about Steve click here: Steve Grossman. Obituaries: New York Times : JazzTimes : Jazzwise.
|George Gruntz
|b. 24.6.1932
d. 10.1.2013
|Swiss pianist, composer and bandleader whose Concert Jazz Band under Quincy Jones supported Miles Davis during his 1991 tour. As well as leading his own bands, George played with many others including Flavio Ambrosetti, Marshall Brown, Duško Goyković, Phil Wood and Don Cherry. For George's obituary click here: George Gruntz.
|Tata Guines
|b. 30.6.1930
d. 4.2.2008
|Born in Cuba, he played with many musicians including Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Although he never took part in the best-selling recordings of the Buena Vista Social Club, he was involveed in the rediscovery of Cuban music. For Tata's obituary click here: Tata Guines
|Guru (Keith Elam)
|b. 17.7.1966
d. 19.4.2010
|Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he got together with DJ Premier to form the jazz-rap duo Gang Starr mixing electronic beats that linked hip-hop to bebop. Guru died of cancer at the age of 43. For Guru's obituary click here: Guru
|Jonas Gwangwa
|b. 19.10.1937
d. 23.1.2021
|South African trombonist, songwriter and producer born in Soweto. In the 1960s, he began to gain notice in the United States, and in 1965 he was featured in a "Sound Of Africa" concert at Carnegie Hall. Despite his international fame, he was not seen favorably by the apartheid government, and went into exile in the 1970s. Initially exiled to the United States, Gwangwa spent the late 1970s and a better part of the 1980s living in Gaborone, Botswana, where he founded the band Shakawe. During his time in Gaborone, Gwangwa got involved in the MEDU Art Ensemble, a collection of anti-apartheid musicians, visual artists, and writers, working alongside other Botswana-based South African exiles. In later life, he became important as a composer doing the scores of films like Cry Freedom (1987). In 1988, he performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute in Wembley Stadium. In 1991, he returned to South Africa and in 1997 composed the theme for their Olympic bid. For more about Jonas click here: Jonas Gwangwa. Obituaries: New York Times : BBC :
|Charlie Haden
|b. 6.8.1937
d. 11.7.2014
|American bass player born in Iowa. He was drawn to jazz after hearing Charlie Parker in 1951. He studied at Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles and went on to playwith Art Pepper, Paul Bley, Hampton Hawes, Ornette Coleman (on the album The Shape of Jazz To Come) and with Keith Jarrett / Dewey Redman and Paul Motian. In 1969 he launched the Liberation Music Orchestra with Carla Bley and continued to play with numerous famous jazz musicians, last playing in London in 2009. For Charlie's obituary click here: Charlie Haden.
|Earle H. Hagen
|b. 9.7.1919
d. 26.5.2008
|Trombone player with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman who went on to score music for well known American television series. Born in Chicago, Earle played with Ben Pollack and Ray Noble when he left Goodman and Dorsey. For Earle's obituary click here: Earle H. Hagen
|Andy Hague
|b. 1965
|West Country trumpet player based in Bristol. Plays with his own Quintet, Big Bandt and Silverado band asa well as with many other big and small groups. Runs BeBop Club at The Bear in Bristol. Click here for Any's Profile: Andy Hague.
|Connie Haines
|b. 20.1.1921
d. 22.9.2008
|Sang with the Tommy Dorsey band in the early 1940s when the band featured Buddy Rich, Bunny Berigan, Joe Bushkin, Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford, although she didn't get on with Sinatra. Born Yvonne JaMais, she changed her name when she joined Harry James band in 1938. Shge became a solo singer, she recorded for many of the major labels and appeared on many TV variety programmes. For Connie's obituary click here: Connie Haines
|Pat Halcox
|b. 18.3.1930
d. 4.2.2013
|UK trumpeter who played for many years with the Chris Barber band. Pat replaced Ken Colyer in the band in 1954 and with Monty Sunshine on clarinet, the band prospered. For Pat's obituary clich here: Pat Halcox
|Barrie Lee Hall, Jr
|b. 30.6.1949
d. 29.1.2011
|American trumpet player discovered whilst still at college by Duke Ellington. Went on to lead the trumpet section, win Grammy's, tour the world, and do incredible work archiving Ellington's collection. He was also a sideman working with Kenny Garrett, Patti La Belle and many others. Click here for Barrie talking about his life. Click here for a video of him playing. For Barrie's obituary click here: Barrie Lee Hall Jr.
|Jim Hall
|b. 4.12.1930
d. 10.12.2013
|American guitarist born in Buffalo, New York who took up the guitar at eleven and was playing professionally as a teenager. He played with many jazz greats including Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz and Art Farmer, to name but a few. Later, until 1995, he taught at the New School for Social Research in New York. For Jim's obituary click here: Jim Hall.
|Bengt Hallberg
|b. 13.9.1932
d. 2.7.2013
|Swedish pianist and composer who was playing in jazz band and recording by his mid-teens. Accompanied Stan getz and Lee Konitz on their 1951 tour of Sweden and went on to play with Clifford Brown, Quincy Jones, and others when they came to Sweden. He led his own trios, recording and performing on Swedish radio. He was known for his work with saxophonist Arne Domnerus and later as he played less, still emerged in his late 70s to play at the memorial concert for Domnérus. In 2012 he participated in a two-piano concert with Jan Lundgren at the Ystad jazz festival in Sweden. Click here for Bengt's obituary: Bengt Hallberg.
|Andy Hamilton
|b. 26.3.1918
d. 3.6.2012
|Jamaican tenor saxophone basis who went to New York as a migrant worker in 1944 where he heard and met well known jazz musicicians. Returning to Jamaica, he stowed away on a banana boat to come to England where he settled in Birmingham. He played with Dizzy Reed and Sam Walker and set up his own band, led workshops and encouraged youngestrs through his big band. For Andy's obiruary click here: Andy Hamilton.
|Chico Hamilton
|b. 20.9.1921
d. 25.11.2013
|American drummer and bandleader born in Los Angeles who initially played with Lionel Hampton, Lester Young and Duke Ellington. He enjoyed working with big bands including those of Charlie Barnet and Count Basie and evolved his style through be bop into jazz rock and fusion. He was still playing at 90. Click here for Chico's obituary: Chico Hamilton
|Jake Hanna
|b. 4.4.1931
d. 12.2.2010
|Drummer from Dorchester, Massachusetts who played with Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Harry James and Herb Pomeroy. For Jake's obituary click here: Jake Hanna
|Herb Hardesty
|b. 3.3 1925
d. 3.12.2016
American saxophonist born in Louisiana who started out on a trumpet said to have been given to his stepfather by Louis Armstrong. In his teenage years he played with some leading New Orleans bands, including those of Sidney Desvigne and Oscar "Papa" Celestin. He was playing in Dave Bartholomew's band when he first worked with Fats Domino, though he was unaware of him at the time. Mr. Hardesty thought that he and his bandmates were going to record for "The Fat Man," a radio detective drama, not accompany Mr. Domino, whose given name is Antoine, on his 1949 song "The Fat Man." Herb and Fats Domino went on to work together for nearly 50 years. For Herb's obituary click here: Herb Hardesty.
|Al Harewood
|b. 3.6.1923
d. 13.3.2014
|American drummer and teacher who worked with the J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding grou and with Art Farmer, Gigi Grice, Curtis Fuller and Benny Golson. He had a long association with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine in the 1950s/1960s and recorded with many other musicians. For more about Al click here: Al Harewood.
|Roy Hargrove
b. 16.10.1969
|American hard bop trumpeter born in Waco, Texas. He was discovered by Wynton Marsalis when Marsalis visited the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. One of his influences was saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman. Moving to New York, he played with Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine, Johnny Griifin, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Stephen Scott and others, and won two Grammy awards. For more about Roy click here: Roy Hargrove.
|Barry Harris
|b. 15.12.1929
d. 8.12.2021
|American bebop pianist and bandleader born in Detroit. He worked with Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Thad Jones, Cannonball Adderley, Coleman Hawkins, his own Trio and others. During the 1970s, Harris lived with Monk at the home of the jazz patron Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter and substituted for Monk in rehearsals at the New York Jazz Repertory Company in 1974. He died from complications of COVID-19 on December 8, 2021, seven days before his 92nd birthday. Obituaries: Wikipedia, The Telegraph.
|Steve Harris
|b. 16.8.1948
d. 11.1.2008
|Percussionist and founder of the Dorset ensemble 'Zaum', and founder of the improvising collective 'SafeHouse'. For Steve's obituary click here: Steve Harris
|Kenny Harrison
|d. 30.11.2012
|Australian drummer born in Southampton, England who played with Nat Gonella and Graeme Bell's Allstars. Click here for a tribute by the Savoy Quintet: Kenny Harrison.
|Joe Harriott
Alto Saxophone
b. 15.7.1928
|Mike Hart
Festival Organiser
|b. 23.3.1934
d. 11.12.2018
|Scottish drummer and banjo player born in Inverness but who grew up in Edinburgh. he went to Edinburgh's Royal High School as did Sandy Brown, Al Fairweather and Stan Greig. He played with Sandy's band in the 1950s, joined Charlie McNair's band and went on to formed a number of bands under his own leadership including Mike Hart's Blue Blowers, the New Society Syncopators and the Scottish Jazz Advocates. He set up the Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 1978 and remained director of the Festival for 25 years. For Mike's obituary click here: Mike Hart.
|Keef Hartley
|b. 10.4.1944
d. 26.11.2011
|UK drummer mainly known for his work with John Mayall. Starting as a rock musician in the 1960s, he joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers in the late 1960s and started drawing on jazz, blues and rock music. In the early 1970s he formed a large jazz-rock band with Derek Wadsworth and Barbara Thompson and in 1971 they recorded a live album from the Marquee entitled Little Big Band. For Keef's obituary click here: Keef Hartley.
|Eddie Harvey
|b. 15.11.1925
d. 9.10.2012
|Head of Jazz Studies at the London College of Music and tutor at the Royal College of Music, trombonist, pianist, composer and arranger Eddie Harvey played with George Webb, Freddy Randall, John Dankworth, Don Rendell and Tony Kinsey amongst many others. For Eddie's obituary click here: Eddie Harvey.
|Chris Haskins
|b. 1941
d. 2016
|Pianist Jamie Evans says: 'I played with Chris in the bands of Bill Nile, Lennie Hastings and Colin Symons in the 60s and 70s but hadn't seen him in decades'. Bass player Chris Haskins was brought up in Bath and initially played in local bands. He moved to London in the 1960s where he played with Bill Nile's Delta Jazz Band playing regularly at the 100 Club, Studio 51 and many other popular venues. In 1970 Chris and his family moved to Sussex where he joined cornettist Rod Mason's band that also included reeds player Ian Wheeler. Although the band was based in Plymouth, they toured the UK and Europe regularly. In 1982, Chris moved to Germany where he played with The Piccadilly Six band. For Chris's obituary click here: Chris Haskins.
|Jon Hassell
|b. 22.3.1937
d. 26.6.2021
|American trumpet player best known for developing the concept of "Fourth World" music, which describes a "unified primitive/futurist sound" combining elements of various world ethnic traditions with modern electronic techniques. Hassell studied contemporary classical music in New York and later in Germany under composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. He subsequently worked with minimalist composers Terry Riley and La Monte Young, and studied under Hindustani singer Pandit Pran Nath. In addition to nonwestern traditional musics, critics have noted the influence of Miles Davis on Hassell's style, particularly Davis' use of electronics, modal harmony, and understated lyricism. For more about Jon click here: Jon Hassell. Obituary: The Telegraph :
|Lennie Hastings
b. 5.1.1925
|Tim Hauser
|b. 12.12.1941
d. 16.10.2014
|Founder member of the American vocal group Manhattan Transfer. Whilst spending most of their success in the pop charts, their allegiance to vocalese and collaboration with jazz vocalists like John Hendricks, tribute albums to Louis Armstrong and Chick Corea and Tim Hauser singing note for note the Jaco Pastorius bass line for Weather Report's Birdland, showed their jazz influences. Tim Hauser named his son 'Basie'. For Tim's obituary click here: Tim Hauser.
|Richard Hawdon
|b. 27.8.1927
d. 24.6.2009
|British trumpeter and bandleader who played with Chris Barber and the Christie Brothers in the 1950s before going on to play with Tubby Hayes, and John Dankworth amongst others. For obituary click here: Richard Hawdon
|Johnny Hawksworth
|Double Bass
|b. 20.1.1924
|Jimmy Heath
|b. 25.10. 1926
d. 19.1.2020
|American saxophonist and big band leader born in Philadelphia and nicknamed 'Little Bird' He was the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath. One of Heath's earliest big bands (1947-1948) in Philadelphia included John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Ray Bryant and Nelson Boyd. Charlie Parker and Max Roach sat in on one occasion. He briefly joined Miles Davis's group in 1959, replacing Coltrane, and also worked with Kenny Dorham, Gil Evans, Milt Jackson and Art Farmer. In the 1980s, Heath joined the faculty of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, City University of New York. With the rank of Professor, he led the creation of the Jazz Program at Queens College and attracted prominent musicians such as Donald Byrd to the campus. For more about Jimmy click here: Jimmy Heath
|Spike Heatley
|Double Bass
|b. 17.2.1933
|Dick Heckstall-Smith
|b. 26.9.1934
|Neal Hefti
|b. 29.10.1922
d. 11.10.2008
|Trumpet player and great jazz orchestrator who wrote 'Skyliner' whilst with Charlie Barnet's band and all the music for The Atomic Mr Basie album, including the number 'Li'l Darlin'. Played with Woody Herman and wrote for Herman, Charlie Ventura and Harry James as well a number of films. For Neal's obituary click here: Neal Hefti.
|Michael Henderson
|Bass Guitar
|b. 7.7.1951
d. 19.7.2022
|American bass guitarist and vocalist born in Mississippi. He moved to Detroit playing as a session musician with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and others before playing with Miles Davis for seven years. He went on to have a solo career as a singer/songwriter. Obituaries : Wikipedia : : New York Times : The Sun : Pitchfork :
|Russ Henderson
|b. 7.1.1924
d. 18.8.2015
|Pianist born in Trinidad where his quartet became popular before he moved to London and in addition to his piano playing, formed a steel-pan band. He recorded with John Surman and played with many jazz musicians at the Coleherne in Old Brompton Road where he was resident pianist. He and his band were instrumental in establishing London's Notting Hill Carnival. For Russ's obituary click here: Russ Henderson.
|Jon Hendricks
|b. 16.9.1921
d. 22,11,2017
|American jazz singer and songwriter from Ohio who became well known for the development of 'Vocalese' - the use of words to match note for note a jazz tune and improvisation. Together with Dave Lambert and Annie Ross, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross became perhaps the most famous exponents of that style of singing. In his early years, Art Tatum was his accompanist; he wrote songs for Count Basie; lived in London for a while before returning to the US where he taught classes in jazz history at the University of California, Berkeley, and California State University at Sonoma. He went on performing into his early 80s. For Jon's obituary click here: Jon Hendricks.
|Peter Herbolzheimer
|b. 31.12.1935
d. 27.3.2010
|Born in Bucharest, Peter moved to Germany where he played trombone and guitar and extablished his big band the Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combinations and Brass. Click here for Peter's more information: Peter Herbolzheimer
|Doug Higgins
|Gerry Higgins
|b. 2.1.1940
d. 10.8.2020
|UK bass player born in Salford. Mick Hamer writes: 'Gerry (Gerard) Higgins, who died of cancer in August, worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, from Stephane Grappelli to American stars like trumpeter Henry Red Allen as well as more home-grown talent like guitarist Diz Disley. Gerry came to London in the early 1960s joining the Alex Welsh band in 1966. For many years he was the bandleader at the up-market Havana restaurant. He became a pioneer of the city's thriving afternoon jazz scene and for three years he was resident at the Paris House in Hove. For more about Gerry click here: Gerry Higgins.
|Andrew Hill
|b. 30.6.1931
d. 20.4.2007
|American composer and pianist from the post-bop generation. Member of Blue Note Records roster in the 1960's. Influenced/taught Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett. Click here for obituary. Andrew Hill.
|Jon Hiseman
Recording Engineer
Record Producer
|b. 21.6.1944
d. 12.6.2018
|English drummer, recording engineer, record producer and music publisher. In the mid-1960s Hiseman played in sessions such as the early Arthur Brown single, "Devil's Grip". In 1966 he replaced Ginger Baker in the Graham Bond Organisation and also played for a brief spell with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. He then joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1968 playing on the iconic album Bare Wires. In April 1968 he left to form what has been described as the "seminal" jazz rock/progressive rock band, Colosseum. Hiseman subsequently played in jazz groups, notably with his wife, saxophonist Barbara Thompson, with whom he recorded and produced over fifteen albums. In 2017 Jon Hiseman formed a new trio band called JCM. The band recorded an album "Heroes" late in 2017 and it was released in April 2018. JCM began touring on 7 April 2018. For Jon's obituary click here: Jon Hiseman.
|Fred Ho
|b. 10.8.1957
d. 12.4.2014
Chinese American saxophonist / multi-instrumentalist who also performed under the name Fred Houn. He formed the first of his Afro Asian Music Ensembles in 1982. His ballet-operas were inspired by the Chinese novel known in English as Monkey. He also composed complex collages of Chinese folklore, black American politics, African anti-colonialism and feminism in large-scale works such as the 1991 opera Warrior Sisters. He led the Green Monster Big Band. Click here for Fred's obituary: Fred Ho.
|Frank Holder
|b. 2.4.1925
d. 29.10.2017
|Singer and percussionist Frank Holder was born in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). In 1944 he volunteered for the RAF and travelled over on a troop ship. 'Steeped in all things British, Frank found that he knew more about "your kings and queens" than his fellow RAF recruits. He sang with all the service bands he could before persuading the great West Indian trumpeter Leslie "Jiver" Hutchinson to sign him as a band singer in 1948'. From 1950, he worked with the Johnny Dankworth Seven before moving on to play with Tubby Hayes, Kenny Graham and Joe Harriot. Later, he became a general performer as well as working with jazz combos. In the 90s, Mainstem records released three albums by Frank: The Artistry of Frank Holder, I Love Being Here With You; and Ballads, Blues & Bop. He continued to perform up until the week before he died. For Frank's obituary click here: Frank Holder.
|Allan Holdsworth
|b. 6.8.1946
d. 15.4.2017
|Self-taught UK guitar player born in Bradford. His grandfather was an amateur jazz pianist and his favourite music when he was young were the recordings of John Coltrane. In 1973 he was invited to join the progressive rock band Soft Machine but left after two years when the American drum virtuoso Tony Williams, renowned for his work in Miles Davis's quintet, asked him to join one of the first jazz-rock fusion bands, Lifetime. He went on to play with French jazz-rock band Gong, the violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and the all-star band U.K. In the 1980s he moved to California where he continued to record and perform. In the 1980s, he is quoted as saying: "I don't like playing to guitar players, actually. I'd rather just play to ordinary people. But obviously it's difficult with this kind of music because no one ever really gets a chance to hear it, because radio won't play it. Because it's not jazz, they don't really know what to call it, so they don't know where to put it." For Allan's obituary click here: Allan Holdsworth.
|Major Holley
|Red Holloway
|b. 31.5.1927
d. 25.2.2012
|American saxophonist from Arkansas. He took up the tenor sax when he was twelve and in his twenties worked with Billie Holiday, Dexter Gordon, Muddy Waters, B B King and Roosevelt Sykes. In the 1960s he toured with organist Brother Jack McDuff before becoming bandleader at the Persian Room in Los Angeles. For red's obituary click here: Red Holloway.
|Jim Holmes
d. 12.2013
Ron Drakeford tells us of the passing of Jim Holmes whose funeral was hel;d in Bridport, Dorset on January 3rd. UK trumpeter born in London. Introduced to jazz by his brother, he took up the trumpet at eighteen and joined the Mike Pointon band in the 1950s. In the 1960s he went to New Orleans where he took lessons from Punch Miller and sat in with the George Lewis band. He played with Albert Nicholas, Butch Thompson and Sammy Rimington amongst others and was one of the founder members of the Excelsior New Orleans Brass Band and the Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band. Ron Drakeford says: 'Jim, Mike Pointon, John Deffery, Bill Stagg and myself made up the original "Lounge Lizards" which was formed to play at Bill Stagg's brother's wedding in Sheffield area in early sixties. Bill's brother Tom was a regular jazz event organiser and is currently resident in New Orleans where he has a record outlet. Sad news to hear of Jim's demise at this time of the year especially.' We do not have an obituary fot Jim at present, but click his name for his details on the Excelsior bands website: Jim Holmes. or here Jim Holmes if you can send us more information.
|Johnny Hope
|b. 2.9.1925
d. 3.6.2007
|London Caribbean saxophonist originally from Barbadoswhose model was Charlie Parker. He worked in London with saxophonist Eric Deans and with pianist Doc Watson amongst others. Click here for obituary. Johnny Hope.
|Linda Hopkins
|b. 14.12.1924
d. 10.4.2017
|American Gospel singer born in New Orleans who featured Bessie Smith's songs in her performances. She started singing in a Gospel choir at 3 and at 11, she impudently called the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and invited her to perform at a fund-raiser for the children's choir. Ms. Jackson, unaware that she was speaking to a young girl, agreed. On the day of the fund-raiser, she was rewarded when Helen gave a full-throated rendition of "God Shall Wipe Your Tears Away," one of Ms. Jackson's best-known songs.' Mahalia Jackson supported Linda who eventually moved to California sang and recorded with the Johnny Otis Orchestra and then moved to Broadway where amongst other shows she wrote and performed "Me and Bessie," a tribute to the great blues singer. For Linda's obituary click here: Linda Hopkins.
|George ' Hoppy' Hopkinson
|b. 2.9.1922
|Paul Horn
|b. 17.3.1930
d. 29.6.2014
|Born in New York and raised in Washington, Paul horn played piano at 4 and by 12 was playing saxophone. By the time he graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 1953, he was specialising in flute and clarinet. He played with the Eddie Sauter - Bill Finegan Big Band, Chico Hamilton's West Coast Quintet and then became a Hollywood session musician. In 1962 he was the subject of a TV documentary The Story Of A Jazz Musician. Eventuall,y his interests took him more in the direction of World Music. For Paul's obituary click here: Paul Horn.
|Lena Horne
|b. 30.6.1917
d. 9.5.2010
|Legendary singer born in New York and who made her debut as a chorus girl at the Cotton Club before going on to sing with Noble Sissle, Charlie Barnet and many others. Married to Lennie Hayton, she appeared in movies and stage shows and in the 1960s dedicated herself to the civil rights movement. For Lena's obituary click here: Lena Horne
|Bert Houtheusen
|b. 16.5.1916
d. 28.4.2013
|UK saxophone player of Dutch ancestry but born in Streatham. He taught himself saxophone and at school formed a band with Max Jones (later a jazz critic). In the 1930s he worked with the Nicholas Brothers, Arthur Gregory, The Rhythm Club Band and Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson. When War came, he joined the RAF No1 Band (the Squadronaires) as did George Chisholm. After the War he continued to work for the RAF until 1966. For Bert's obituary click here: Bert Houtheusen.
|Noah Howard
|b. 6.4.1943
d. 3.9.2010
|Alto saxophone player of the expressionist African-American free jazz movement of the 1960s. Worked with Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon, Sun Ra and Pharoah Sanders. In 1971, he formed a self-help group (the New York Musicians' Organisation), with Coleman and Sun Ra among the members. For Noah's obituary click here: Noah Howard.
|Ian Howarth
|b. 21.8.1948
d. 30.12.2008
|Drummer originally from Lancashire who played washboard in his school skiffle group and trombone in his school orchestra before taking up the drums. Original member of Vintage Syncopators, one of Red Hayes' Jazz Wizards, and played with and led the Temperence Seven. More recently in the 1990s played with Alan Cooper's Trio. Click here for Ian's obituary: Ian Howarth
|John Howlett
|b. 24.4.1939
d. 31.10.2019
|UK trombonist who formed his own traditional band in the 1950s and joined the Clyde Valley Stompers in the early 1960s before playing with The Leathertown Jazz Band in Germany. For twenty five years John dropped out of the jazz scene but took up his trombone again in 1993 and went on to play with the Sussex Jazz Kings and the Great Northern Jazz Band.
|Freddie Hubbard
|b. 7.4.1938
d. 29.12.2008
|Trumpeter who burst onto the jazz scene in 1959 and went on to play with Philly Jo Jones, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, J.J. Johnson, Art Blakey, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and others. Click here for Freddie's obituary: Freddie Hubbard
|Fred Hunt
b. 21.9.1923
|Basil Hunter
|b. 1918
d. 2012
|Pianist, bandleader and composer who was born in Swansea but as a child, moved to Canada where he led the Basil Hunter Trion from the 1950s to the 1980s. For Basil's obituary click here: Basil Hunter
|Bobby Hutcherson
|b. 17.1.1941
d. 15.08.2016
|American vibraphonist born in Los Angeles but raised in Padadena, who in the 1960s adapted his instrument to a freer postbop language, often playing chords with a pair of mallets in each hand. He had initially learned piano until he heard Milt Jackson and acquired a vibraphone. In 1962 he came to New York and joined a band led by tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell and trombonist Al Grey. The band did not last long but Bobby stayed in New York where he was featured on Jackie McLean's album One Step Beyond. Moire than 40 albums followed with many notable musicians including Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins and Eric Dolphy. For Bobby's obituary click here: Bobby Hutcherson.
|Denny Hutchinson
|Jack Hutton
Editor - Melody Maker
|b. 17.4.1928
d. 24.8.2008
|Scottish trumpet player. He and his wife were keen jazz fans and founded the Dundee Jazz Club. Jack is better known as Editor of the Melody Maker where he ensured that jazz interest was maintained amongst the pop news. For Jack's obituary click here: Jack Hutton.
|Tom Hyatt
|d. 28.2.2014
|George Wheeler tells us about trumpeter Tom Hyatt who passed through the Departure Lounge on 28 February - 'Tom was serving with the United States Air Force and in the early eighties was fronting the Queen City Jazz Band in Denver, Colorado, He was then posted to RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk where he played with many local musicians from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Following his posting back to the USA he played trumpet with The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band. In recent years in Cincinnati Tom was co-leader with the trombone player Dick Haldeman of a band called Bone Voyage, a title derived from the fact that Tom also played valve trombone and their vibraphone player also played valves trombone and trumpet. Tom also played vibraphone, sang and was a classically trained pianist.
|Alex Imrie
|Peter Ind
|Double Bass
|b. 20.7.1928
d. 20.8. 2021
Much respected UK bass player and one time club owner. Peter moved to the USA in 1951 and played with Lee Konitz, Buddy Rich, Booker Ervin, Mal Waldron, Slim Gaillard and others. He played at the first Newport Jazz Festival, in 1954, as part of Lennie Tristano's sextet. During that 1950s period Peter moved into producing - he was a pioneer in stereo recording and overdubbing of jazz music, and he also set up his own label. He returned to the UK in 1966, opened the Bass Clef and Tenor Clef clubs and despite suffering a stroke later in life, went on to play with many UK jazz musicians until shortly before his death. For more about Peter click here: Peter Ind. Obituaries: Jazzwise; No Treble; The Strad;
|Keith Ingham
|b. 5.2.1938
|Brian Innes
|b. 4.5.1928
d. 14.7.2014
|Co-founder and percussionist with the Temperence Seven. He went to Chelsea Art College where the band was 'born', and they played for college dances and society events until John R.T. Davies joined in 1958 when they became more 'professional'. Eventually, Neil went into publishing but continued to play piano for the Orbis Publishing All - Stars. For Brian's obituary click here: Brian Innes.
|Dennis Irwin
d. 8.3.2008
|Bass player born in Alabama who started on clarinet and saxophone before making the bass his main instrument. Played with Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Chet Baker, Horace Silver and Susannah McCorkle amongst others. For more information click here: Dennis Irwin
|John Jack
|b. 25.5.1933
d. 7.9.2017
Born in Barnes, John Jack was a source of oral jazz history, as well as a trombonist, producer, promoter and enabler. After working as a travelling salesman for early indie labels including Carlo Krahmer's Esquire promoting emerging British jazz stars such as Humphrey Lyttelton, Acker Bilk and Ronnie Scott, for three years (1965-1968) he managed Ronnie's club in Gerrard Street. In 1973, he set up the Cadillac record label with Mike Westbrook through which they enabled artists such as Joe Harriott, Stan Tracey and Mike Osborne. For John's obituary click here: John Jack. For an interview with John Jack on the Wall Of Sound website click here.
|Dizzy Jackson
|b. 14.7.1932
|Bass player with Sandy Brown's early band who remained playing with local bands in Edinburgh when Sandy went to London. More about Dizzy.
|Franz Jackson
|b. 1.11.1912
d. 6.5.2008
|Saxophone player with Fats Waller, Roy Eldridge, Fletcher Henderson, Lopuis Armstron and Jelly Roll Morton. He was touring Europe in 1981 and joined Jim Beebe's band in 1990. For obituary click here: Franz Jackson
|Ronald Shannon Jackson
|b. 12.1.1940
d. 19.10.2013
|American drummer born in Texas who was playing jazz locally by his teens. He moved to New York and worked as a session player with Charles Mingus, Betty Carter and Jackie McLean and then went on to join Ornette Coleman's Prime Time. He later formed his own Decoding Society band. For Ronald's obituary click here: Ronald Shannon Jackson.
|Etta James
|b. 25.1.1938
d. 20.1.2012
|Soul singer with a huge voice who was born in Los Angeles and 'discovered' by Johnny Otis who called her 'Miss Peaches'. She recorded with musicians such as Allen Toussaint, Harold Battiste and many others but saw liitle of the money she earned. Since 1961 she was addicted to hard drugs. More recently she suffered from dementia and leukaemia and was taken to hospital in December with breathing problems. For Etta's obituary click here: Etta James
|Conrad Janis
|b. 11.2.1928
d. 1.3.2022
|American trombonist and actor born in New York City. 'He assembled a band of jazz musicians in 1949 ("all of the guys that I idolized"), consisting of James P. Johnson (piano), Henry Goodwin (trumpet), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Pops Foster (bass), and Baby Dodds (drums), with himself on trombone. During the late 1970s, he formed the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, which appeared multiple times on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and gave eight sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall'. He also worked as an actor in film and television. Obituaries: Wikipedia : New York Times :
|Robbie Jansen
|b. 5.8.1949
d. 7.7.2010
|South African alto saxophonist, flautist, singer, arranger and composer who was a key figure in the Cape jazz scene. By 13 he had played in two school bands. Worked with Abdullah Ibrahim, Basil Coetzee and the bands Juluka, Spirits Rejoice, Workforce and Sabenza. For Robbie's obituary click here: Robbie Jansen.
|Janos Jaray
|Zbigniew Jaremko
|Joseph Jarman
|b. 14.9.1937
d. 9.1.2019
|American saxophonist, clarinettist, composer, and Shinshu Buddhist priest born in Arkansas but who grew up in Chicago. He was one of the first members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Amongst others, he played with Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Fred Anderson, Charles Clark and Christopher Gaddy. Jarman stayed with the Ensemble until 1993, when he left the group to focus on his spiritual practice, "a cleansing process" as he stated. For more about Joseph click here: Joseph Jarman.
|Al Jarreau
|b. 12.3.1940
d. 12.2.2017
American vocalist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His ability for bebop-derived wordless scat singing reflected his admiration for Jon Hendriks, and he could also mimic the sounds of all manner of instruments. He performed regularly with the pianist George Duke, and also formed a duo with the guitarist Julio Martinez. The pair's popularity at Gatsby's club in Sausalito led Jarreau to make music his career in 1968. He moved first to Los Angeles to work at high-profile haunts including Dino's and the Troubadour, and on his move to New York began to appear on the TV shows of Johnny Carson and David Frost, and to work regularly at the Improv comedy club. He made a number of recordings and in the '90s focussed his work on the recording studio – winning another Grammy for the R&B-oriented Heaven and Earth (1992), and enlisting a cast of jazz stars including the saxophonist David Sanborn under the direction of the producer/bassist Marcus Miller for Tenderness (1994). For Al's obituaryclick here: Al Jarreau.
|Herb Jeffries
|b. 24.9.1913
d. 25.5.2014
|American actor who started out in Detroit singing with Erskine Tate's band and then moved to New York at the suggestion of Louis Armstrong. He went on to sing with Earl Hines and Duke Ellington, but his main career was in Hollywood Westerns. It is not entirely certain when he was born or who his father was, but he celebrated his 100th birthday in 2013. For Herb's obituary click here: Herb Jeffries.
|Poul Preben Jensen
|Henrik Johansen
|Dr John
b. 20.11.1941
|Born Malcolm John Rebennack - American pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter whose music combined blues, jazz, boogie and rock and who became known for his New Orleans and voodoo. He was born in New Orleans in 1941, found inspiration in the minstrel tunes sung by his grandfather and a number of aunts, uncles, sister and cousins who played piano. His father owned an appliance store and record shop which exposed him as a young boy to jazz musicians. Later he began to perform in New Orleans clubs, mainly on guitar, and played on stage with various local artists. He joined the musicians' union at the end of 1957, with the help of Danny Kessler, and then considered himself to be a professional musician. He gained a following in the late 1960s after the release of his album Gris-Gris; won six Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and in 2013 he received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Tulane University. For more about Dr John Click here: Dr John
|Howard Johnson
Baritone Sax
Bass Clarinet
|b. 7.8.1941
d. 11.1.2021
American musician, known mainly for his work on tuba and baritone saxophone, although he also played the bass clarinet, trumpet, and other reed instruments. Known for his extensive work as a sideman, notably with George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, and Gil Evans, he was aslo a leader, fronting the tuba ensemble Gravity and he released three albums during the 1990s for Verve Records; the first Arrival, was a tribute to Pharoah Sanders. For more about Howard click here: Howard Johnson. Obituaries: New York Times : Jazz Times :
|Dill Jones
|b. 19.8.1923
d. 22.6.1984
|Hank Jones
|b. 31.7.1918
d. 16.5.2010
|Pianist who played with so many great jazz musicians including Andy Kirk, John Kirby, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and Tommy Flanagan to name but a few. He was also Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist for six years and to Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Brithday to President John Kennedy. For Hank's obituary click here: Hank Jones
|Helen Jones Woods
b .9.10 or 14.11.1923
|American trombone player born in Mississippi and who was most renowned for her performances with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. She was inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In her 1940s heyday, young Helen Elizabeth Jones was in the top female jazz band in the United States. From an early age, Woods was fascinated by the slide motion of the trombone. She started playing with the group when she was only 11 years old, when it was still the "school band" of Piney Woods Country Life School in Mississippi. Helen was one of six surviving members of the band interviewed in the 1986 documentary film International Sweethearts of Rhythm. After the band dissolved in 1949, Jones moved to Omaha where she briefly played in the Omaha Symphony Orchestra before being fired once the orchestra realized she was not white. Helen dies as a result of the coronavirus. For more about Helen click here: Helen Jones Woods. Obituaries: New York Times : JazzTimes : Washington Informer :
|Ronny Jordan
|b. 29.11.1962
d. 13.1.2014
|Self-taught Jamaican / UK guitarist born Robert Simpson who made Miles Davis's So What a dance floor hit in 1992. He became a key figure of the 1990s acid-jazz movement and was still working on a new project Straight-Up Street during 2013. For Ronny's obituary click here: Ronny Jordan.
|Vic Juris
b. 26.9.1953
|American jazz guitarist born in New Jersey. He recorded with Richie Cole during 1976–78 and released his debut album as a leader, Road Song, in 1979. In the early 1980s, he turned to acoustic guitar in duos with Larry Coryell and Biréli Lagrène, and in the late 1980s he worked with Gary Peacock's band. From 1991 he spent much of his career with saxophonist David Liebman and worked as sideman with Lee Konitz, Judi Silvano, Ken Serio and Joe Locke (1998). Juris taught at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Lehigh University, and Rutgers University and wrote instructional books for guitar. For more about Vic click here: Vic Juris.
|Ryo Kawaski
|b. 25.2.1947
d. 13.4.2020
|Japanese jazz fusion guitarist, composer and band leader, best known as one of the first musicians to develop and popularise the fusion genre and for helping to develop the guitar synthesizer in collaboration with Roland Corporation and Korg. His album Ryo Kawasaki and the Golden Dragon Live was one of the first all-digital recordings and he created the Kawasaki Synthesizer for the Commodore 64. During the 1960s, he played with various Japanese jazz groups and also formed his own bands. In the early 1970s, he moved to New York City, where he settled and worked with GilEvand, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton and others. For more about Ryo click here: Ryo Kawaski. Billboard obituary.
|Dinah Kaye
|b. 2.2.1924
d. 12.9.2011
|Born Kay Cumming, Dinah Kaye was a popular jazz and blues singer of the 1950s and 1960s. She sang with many bands including those of Harry Parry, Nat Allen, Cyril Stapleton, Tommy Sampson and Terry Lightfoot and appeared with Louis Armstrong and Tony Bennett. In 1965 she came second to Cleo Laine in a Melody Maker Jazz Poll and she appeared regularly on Humphrey Lyttelton's radio programme. For Dinah's obituary click here: Dinah Kaye.
|Bob Keane
|b. 5.1.1922
d. 28.11.2009
|Californian clarinettist who formed his first big band at the age of 17. Forged a relationship with Artie Shaw and fronted the band on occasion before establishing his own record label Del-Fi Recording and signed Richie Valens and othe popular music acts. For Bob's obituary click here: Bob Keane.
|Johnny Keating
|b. 10.9.1927
d. 28.5.2015
|UK trombonist and arranger who worked with Ted Heath. In 1959 he returned to Edinburgh to set up the Keating School of Music, one of the first to teach the principles of big band, swing and jazz. Three years later he was back in London, fusing big-band sounds with the swirling world of jazz. He also composed and arranged for film and TV. For Johhny's obituary click here: Johnny Keating.
|Dave Keir
Alto Sax
|b. 9.4.1928
d. 31.5.2019
|Scottish jazz multi-instrumentalist perhaps best know for playing the cornet, although he also played trombone, clarinet, etc. He played with Jock Turner's Jazz band, and then on cornet and trombone with Sandy Brown when Al Fairweather was in the Forces. He wen t on to play with Archie Semple, Mick Mulligan, Freddy Randall, Alex Welsh, Bruce Turner, Dick Charlesworth and others and led his own band, the Dave Kier Hot Five.. More about Dave.
|Brooks Kerr
|b. 26.12 1951
d. 28.4.2018
|American jazz pianist perhaps best known for being leading a small group featuring Sonny Greer and Russell Procope. He had sight problems from childhood and by the time he was 28 was totally blind. He studied with Lucky Roberts and Willie 'The Lion' Smith and becamse an expert on Duke Ellington's music. For more about Brooks click here: Brooks Kerr.
|Frank Kimbrough
|b. 2.11.1956
d. 30.12.2020
American post-bop pianist born in North Carolina. He was a member of the Herbie Nichols Project becoming co-leader with Ben Allison. He had also worked with Joe Locke, played in sessions with Paul Murphy and also in the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra. Kimbrough was also a music educator, teaching piano at New York University during the 1990s and becoming a professor at the Juilliard School in 2008. For more about Frank click here: Frank Kimbrough. Obituaries: New York Times : Jazz Times:
|BB King
|b. 16.9.1925
d. 14.5.2015
|One of the great Blues musicians he was born Riley King in Mississippi. He became known as 'The Beale Street Blues Boy', shortened to 'Blues Boy King' and then to 'BB King'. His first hit recording was in 1952 and many more followed. He became one of the most influential musicians recording with The Crusaders and Branford Marsalis as well as many others including Stevie Wonder and Van Morrison. For BB King's obituary click here: BB King.
|Morgana King
|b. 4.6.1930
d. 22.3.2018
|American vocalist, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants. She '... began singing in hospitals and clubs as a teenager and by 16 had graduated to nightclubs, some less reputable than others, adopting the name Morgana King because her mother did not want her to use the family name for performing. At 17 she married Tony Fruscella, a jazz trumpeter with a drug problem ....'. With her second husband, trombonist Willie Dennis, she toured with Buddy Rich. She starred in the movie The Godfather as Vito Corleone's wife'. During her career she sang at many clubs and with many musicians. For Morgana's obituary click here: Morgana King.
|Pete King
|Tenor Sax
|b. 23.8.1929
d. 20.12.2009
|UK tenor sax player who worked with Vic Lewis, Jack Parnell, Kathy Stobart Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott and who finally went into management, opening the first Ronnie Scott Club with Ronnie in Gerrard Street in 1959. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete King.
|Peter King
b. 11.8.1940
|English saxophonist and clarinettist born in Surrey. In 1959, at the age of 19, he was booked by Ronnie Scott to perform at the opening of Scott's club in Gerrard Street, London. In the same year, he received the Melody Maker New Star award. He worked with Johnny Dankworth's orchestra from 1960–1961, and went on to work with the big bands of Maynard Ferguson, Tubby Hayes, Harry South, and Stan Tracey. He also played in numerous small groups with musicians such as Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Dick Morrissey, Tony Kinsey and Bill Le Sage and many, many others and he was a member of Charlie Watts' Tentet. King was also a leading figure in the international aero-modelling world. He competed successfully in major competitions and has written extensively about the subject. For more about Peter click here: Peter King.Obituaries: Jazzwise :
|Teddi King
|b. 18.9.1929
d. 18.11.1977
|Recorded with Nat Pierce in 1949, then with Beryl Booker. Toured with George Shearing from 1952. Influenced by Lee Wiley and Mildred Bailey. For more about Teddi click here orto see and hear her click here.
|Colin Kingwell
|d. 2021
|We do not have an obituary for Colin but thanks to Alan Bond who says: 'I had the pleasure of knowing Colin Kingwell for many years and it has come as a bit of a shock to learn of his passing. With this Covid thing, the news has only just reached me.' Peter Butler at Jazz&Jazz had picked up the news back in March. UK trombonist Colin Kingwell led the Jazz Bandits which he first formed in 1956. He retired in 2016 although the band continued
|Brian 'Drag' Kirby
|Eddie Kirkland
|b. 16.8.1923
d. 27.2.2011
|Jamaican blues singer and guitarist who moved to New Orleans and then to Detroit. He was an occasional partner to John Lee Hooker and toured with Otis Redding. Click here for Eddie's obituary: Eddie Kirkland.
|Harry Klein
|Baritone Saxophone
|b. 25.12.1928
d. 30.6.2010
|Leading exponent of the baritone saxophone in British jazz during the 1950s. Harry played with Kenny Baker, Ronnie Scott, Tommy Whittle and with the Jazz Today Unit. In 1956 he joined Stan Kenton's Orchestra. He led his own bands and, with saxophonist Vic Ash, co-led the Jazz Five tween 1960 and 1962. Harry was also a small time actor. For more about Harry click here: Harry Klein.
|Marie Knight
|b. 1920
d. 30.8.2009
|Gospel singer who came to prominence touring with Sister Rosetta Tharpe and who performed in many famous jazz venues. For Marie's obituary click here: Marie Knight
|Terry Knight
|b. 1938
d. 2016
|UK bass player who played with the Charles Morris Jazzmen - more information needed about Terry. Mark Bukowski put this video on YouTube - click here.
|Jan Erik Kongshaug
|Sound Engineer
|b. 4.7.1944
d. 5.11.2019
|Norwegian sound engineer, guitarist and composer. In 1984, he founded his own recording studio, Rainbow Studio in Oslo and evolved into being one of the grand masters of Sound engineering. Altogether, he produced over 4,000 records. He was particularly known for some 700 recordings for ECM Records made from 1970 onwards. Though he played a more inconspicuous role than Manfred Eicher, the label's renowned founder and main producer, Mr. Kongshaug was arguably just as crucial to defining the famous "ECM sound," which relied on precision and fidelity and used heavy helpings of reverb to create a feeling of both magnitude and intimacy. The pair first collaborated on the experimental Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek's 1970 quartet record, "Afric Pepperbird," one of the earliest ECM albums. For Jan's Obituary click here: Jan Erik Kongshaug
|Lee Konitz
b. 13.10.1927
|American saxophonist who played a wide range of styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde. He worked with the Claude Thornhill Orchestra and Stan Kenton's Orchestra, with Lennie Tristano and was part of Miles Davis' Birth Of The Cool sessions. He was one of relatively few alto saxophonists of this era to retain a distinctive style. Like other students of Tristano, Konitz improvised long, melodic lines with the rhythmic interest coming from odd accents, or odd note groupings suggestive of the imposition of one time signature over another. Lee died from complications brought on by Covid-19. For more about Lee click here: Lee Konitz. The Guardian obituary. New York Times obituary.
|Jerzy Kowalski
|Georgia Carroll Kyser
|b. 18.11.1919
d. 14.1.2011
|Singer with Kay Kyser's band in the 1940s. She was also a fashion model appearing on the cover of Vogue magazine. For more about Georgia click here: Georgia Carroll Kyser.
|Rick Laird
d. 4.7.2021
|Irish musician, photographer, teacher, and author best known as the bassist and founding member of the jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra, with which he performed from 1971 to 1973. Previously he toured with the vocal ensemble Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, played with Zoot Sims and Al Cohn; studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and played in The Brian Auger Trinity (July 1963–February 1964) and The Brian Auger Group (February–October 1964), the latter of which featured guitarist John McLaughlin. After the Mahavishnu Orchestra split, Laird moved to New York City and played with Stan Getz (a tour in 1977) and Chick Corea (a tour the following year). Laird put out one album as a leader, Soft Focus.For more about Rick click here: Rick Laird.Obituary: New York Times
|Duncan Lamont
Song Writer
|b. 1931
d. 2.7.2019
|Scottish saxophonist, composer, song writer and arranger born in Greenock who worked with George Shearing, Gil Evans, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Henry Mancini, Fred Astaire and others. ' Duncan quit his job in the shipyards at 16 and left Greenock for London after winning a competition to join Kenny Graham's 'Afro Cubists'. His choice of instrument also changed and he swapped the trumpet for the tenor saxophone, becoming an in-demand studio musician'. Duncan passed through the Departure Lounge on 2nd July just hours after playing at London's 606 club to celebrate his nearing 88th birthday. For Duncan's obituary click here: Duncan Lamont
|Drew Landles
|d. .9 2010
|Drew Landles was one of the Edinburgh crowd playing piano in Sandy Brown's band in 1952-1953. Sandy, Will and Drew all attended the Art College, becoming in time successful architects. Sandy and Will then became London based while Drew remained in Edinburgh. I don't believe he ever intended to be a full-time musician although he could certainly have.' Drew was one of those who with Jim Keppie set up the Edinburgh Jazz Archive.
|Steve Lane
d. 22.8.2015
UK cornet player, guitarist, composer and arranger Steve Lane led his own Southern Stompers jazz from 1950, and also led and recorded with his Red Hot Peppers and the VJM Washboard Band. He was an important part of VJM records in the late 50/60s. A traditional jazz player he established the Ealing Jazz Club in the Fox and Goose, Hanger Lane, Ealing in 1952. Click here for our Profile of Steve Lane: Steve Lane.
|Pete La Roca
|b. 7.4.1938
d. 19.11.2012
|American drummer born Peter Sims. Born in New York City he went on to play with Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Slide Hampton, John Coltrane Art Farmer and many others. He was the house drummer at the Jazz Workshop in Boston but left music in 1968 to become a lawyer but returned in 1979 when he recorded an album on Blue Note Swingtime. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete La Roca
|Yusef Lateef
|b. 9.10 1920
d. 23.12.2013
|American reeds player and multi-instrumentalist born William Huddleston in Tennessee. He grew up in Detroit in the Swing era and astarted to play the sxophone at eighteen. In his 20s he played with Lucky Millinder, Roy Eldridge and others, and toured with Dizzy Gillespie in 1949 until his wife became ill and he had to stop playing He converted to Islam and eventually went to Wayne State University to study composition and flute before starting to lead and record with his own band. Continued his studies at Manhatten School of Music where he also taught. During his career he recorded more than 100 albums. For Yusef's obituary click here: Yusef Lateef.
|Dick Laurie
|b. ?
d. 10.4.2020
|UK clarinettist who passed through the Departure Lounge on 10th April having caught Covid-19. His Elastic Band which over time included many top UK musicians, played regularly at The Half Moon in Putney. There is surprisingly little about Dick online and the only video of the Elastic Band that I can find is an extract from a gig that does not include a solo from Dick (click here). Perhaps more will emerge.
|Brian Lawrence
d. 2018
|Mark of Ealing tells us of the passing of banjo player Brian Lawrence, who played with the Brunch Bunch at the Lord Hood pub, in Greenwich, London, and also played at The Water Rats annual jazz week on the Norfolk Broads. We do not have any details yet and if anyone can let us have any information / photos of Brian, please contact us.
|Don Lawson
|b. 7.7.1930
|Lawrence Leathers
|b. 23.11.1981
d. 2 6.2019
|American drummer from Michigan who was a rising talent in New York's straight-ahead jazz scene and had played on two Grammy-winning albums. He was found dead on a stairwell at the Bronx apartment building on East 141st Street where he lived, and two people were charged with assault in connection with his death. He attended the Juilliard School of music in 2007 and went on to spend most of the past decade playing in the backing trio for vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant - he is featured on two of her recordings. For more about Lawrence click here: Lawrence Leathers.
|Freddy Legon
|b. 30.8.1925
|Michel Legrand
|b. 24.2.1932
d. 26.1.2019
|French composer, arranger, conductor and jazz pianist born in Paris. Michel went to the city's conservatoire age 10 and studied classical piano, but when he was sixteen, he went to a Dizzy Gillespie concert and decided to concentrate on jazz. In his twenties, he travelled to the USA were he met and collaborated with Bill Evans, Miles Davis and John Coltrane and many others. He wrote over 200 film and television scores andwon his first Oscar for the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" from the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair. For more about Michel click here: Michel Legrand.
|Charlie Leighton
|b. 1921
d. 2009
|Possibly the last of the great American harmonica players from the thirties. He was a consumate jazz player but recorded rarely on his own. For more about Charlie click here: Charlie Leighton
|Brian Lemon
|b. 11.2.1937
d. 11.10.2014
|Nottingham-born pianist, arranger and bandleader who worked with the Fairweather-Brown All Stars between 1961 and 1963 and remained a close friend of Al Fairweather. He moved to London when he was nineteen to join Freddie Randall and then worked with Betty Smith's band. Much in demand, he played with, amongst so many others, Danny Moss, George Chisholm, Alex Welsh, Scott Hamilton, Benny Goodman, John Dankworth, Charlie Watts, the Pizza Express All Stars and many visiting musicians from abroad. For Brian's obituary click here: Brian Lemon.
|Lazy Lester
b. 20.6.1933
|Leslie Johnson - American Blues musician born in Louisiana who sang and played harmonica and guitar. He replaced Buddy Guy in a local band when Guy left Louisiana. He was brought into recording by Lightnin' Slim and was recorded by Jay Miller, who 'dubbed Lester "Lazy Lester" because of his laconic, laid-back style'. He recorded songs such as I'm a Lover Not a Fighter, I Hear You Knockin', and Sugar Coated Love and stated that he wrote these songs, but almost all are credited to Miller or to Lester and Miller. Lester also stated he received few royalties, which embittered him and made him skeptical of the music industry'. In 2003, Martin Scorsese included Lester in his blues tribute concert at Radio City Music Hall, and in 2012, Lester teamed up with British Blues Woman Dani Wilde to play a special double headline concert as part of Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival. For more on Lazy Lester click here: Lazy Lester.
|Danny Levan
|Tony Levin
|b. 30.1.1940
d. 3.2.2011
|English drummer born in Shropshire who played with numerous bands including Tubby Hayes, Alan Skidmore, Humphrey Lyttelton, and John Surman. He ran his own monthly jazz club in Birmingham and played extensively in recent years with saxophonist Paul Dunmail. For information about Tony click here: Tony Levin
|Ramsey Lewis
|b. 27.5.1935
d. 12.9.2022
|American pianist born in Chicago. As well as leading his own bands, particularly his Gentle-men Of Swing with whom he had hit recordings of Hang On Sloopy and Wade In The Water. Until 2009, he was the host of the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show on the Chicago radio station WNUA and he was also active in musical education in Chicago. He founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, established the Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program, and served on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music and The Chicago High School for the Arts. Obituaries: Wikipedia : The Guardian : New York Times :
|Vic Lewis
|b. 29.7.1919
d. 9.2.2009
|Guitar and banjo player from London who sat in/ played with Joe Marsala, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Stan Kenton and Tommy Dorsey. Formed the Vic Lewis Jazzmen and then a big band that at times included Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, Kenny Wheeler and Kathy Stobart. From 1959 worked mostly as a booking agent. For obituary click here: Vic Lewis
|Les Lieber
|b .16.3.1912
d. 10.7.2018
|American saxophonist, promoter and publicist who from 1965 ran Jazz at Noon, a fabled New York venue where talented amateur players got together every week to stretch their skills and to perform alongside top-flight professionals. He organised the first Jazz at Noon, partly to give himself a chance to play his alto saxophone and penny whistle for an audience. Jazz at Noon moved around over the decades to various Manhattan locations. Mr. Lieber both played at the sessions and acted as master of ceremonies. In 2011 he announced the end of Jazz at Noon, but he played at least one other session at that the next year. It was to celebrate his 100th birthday. For more about Les click here: Les Lieber.
|Terry Lightfoot
|b. 21.5.1935
d. 15.3.2013
British band leader. Recorded with Sandy and others on 'Clarinet Jamboree' album in October 1959. Terry formed his New Orleans Jazz Band in 1955 and claimed they were the first band to use the word 'Trad'. He and his brother, Paddy, a banjo player, were both in the Wood Green Stompers until Terry left to do his National Service, returning to form his own band. Like Ball, Barber and Bilk, his was a popular touring band. He made a historic recording 'Slab's Blues' with three other clarinettists Archie Semple, Sandy Brown and Acker Bilk. He disbanded his band in 1966 as trad jazz declined, but started playing with Paddy again in the 1970s and reformed his band in 1983. For Terry's obituary click here: Terry Lighfoot
|Abbey Lincoln
|b. 6.8.1930
d. 14.8.2010
|Singer inluenced by Billie Holiday early in her life and went on to sing with Benny Carter, Max Roach (who she married), Stan Getz and Hank Johnson amongst others. In 1957 became a champion of the Civil Rights movement. For Abbey's obituary click here: Abbey Lincoln.
|Jasper Livesey
|Jeff Locke
|d. 25.1.2015
|Syd Wardman writes: 'On the morning of the 25th January I mourned the passing of a dear friend of mine Jazz clarinetist Jeff Locke. Jeff fronted the Avon Jazz Band in Stratford on Avon where he was well known and well liked. Jeff was an excellent clarinetist with his Goodmanesque solos being a feature of his playing. Jeff fronted big bands in Leeds during the 1950s. He played alto sax as well as clarinet. He will be sorely missed.'
|Didier Lockwood
|b. 11.2.1956
d. 18.2.2018
|French jazz violinist. He played in the progressive rock/jazz fusion band Magma in the 1970s and was known for his use of electric amplification and experimentation on different sounds on the electric violin. Lockwood's influences included fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. He took up the electric violin after hearing Ponty play. Another important influence was fellow Frenchman Stéphane Grappelli. In 2000, Lockwood recorded a tribute album to Grappelli. For more about Didier click here: Didier Lockwood.
|Giuseppi Logan
|b. 22.5.1935
d. 17.4.2020
|American reeds player from Philadelphia. He played alto and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, piano and oboe; he collaborated with Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders and Bill Dixon before forming his own quartet made up of pianist Don Pullen, bassist Eddie Gómez and percussionist Milford Graves. Beset with personal problems, Logan vanished from the music scene in the early 1970s and for over three decades his whereabouts were unknown; however, in 2008 he was filmed by a Christian mission group just after he had returned to New York after years in and out of institutions in the Carolinas. Around this same time filmmaker Suzannah Troy made the first of many short films of Logan practicing in his preferred hangout, Tompkins Square Park. Subsequently he was the subject of a major piece by Pete Gershon in the spring 2009 edition of Signal to Noise Magazine, which detailed the events surrounding Logan's "comeback" gig at the Bowery Poetry Club in February 2009. At some point around 2011 he was shot and ended up in a home in Far Rockaway, Queens. ref: The Devil's Horn seen on SKY Arys. Logan died at a nursing facility in Far Rockaway, Queens from Covid-19. For more about Giuseppi click here: Giuseppi Logan. WBGO obituary.
|Alan Lomax
|Huey Long
|b. 24.4.1904
d. 10.6.2009
|Singer and guitarist, has died at the age of 105. Probably best remembered for being with the Ink Spots, but he also played with Frank Davis's Louisiana Jazz band, Lil Armstrong, Fletcher henderson, Earl Hines and Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis. Click here for Huey's obituary: Huey Long.
|Mike Longo
|b. 19.3.1937
d. 22.3.2020
|American pianist born in Cincinatti who recalled seeing Sugar Chile Robinson playing boogie woogie piano: "The first time I saw him, man, he knocked me out. I must have been three or four years old. He played after the Count Basie show, so I went home and started picking out boogie woogie bass lines." Mike's career began in his father's band, but later Cannonball Adderley helped him get gigs of his own. Their working relationship pre-dated Adderley's emergence as a band leader. Adderley approached the teenaged Longo because he needed a pianist at his church. In the 1960s, Mike began to lead the Mike Longo Trio, which would remain active for the next 42 years. Dizzy Gillespie was playing at the Metropole and Longo, depressed after divorcing his first wife, had just gained a gig at Embers West playing with Roy Eldridge. Eldridge brought Gillespie to see Longo playing with Paul Chambers. Gillespie hired Longo the next day. Mike Longo became musical director for the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet and later Gillespie chose him to be the pianist for the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band. From 1966 onward, his music career would be linked to Gillespie. For more about Mike click here: Mike Longo.
|Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez
|b. 2.1933
d. 9.2.2009
|Bass player with the Buena Vista Social Club but who had also played with jazz bands in Cuba. Click here for Orlando's obituary: Orlando Lopez
|Louisiana Red
(Iverson Minter)
|b. 23.3.1932
d. 25.2.2012
|American guitarist and Blues singer born Iverson Minter. He hung around with John Lee Hooker and Eddie Burns and was influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins and Muddy Waters. He toured and recorded through most European countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Click here for his obituary: Louisiana Red
|Jacques Loussier
|b. 26.10.1934
|French pianist and composer well known for his jazz interpretations, arranged for trio, of many of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Founded in 1959, played more than 3,000 concerts and sold more than 7 million recordings. In the mid 1970s, the trio was dissolved and Loussier set up his own recording studio, Studio Miraval, which opened in 1977, where he worked on compositions for acoustic and electric instruments and recorded with musicians such as Pink Floyd and Elton John. He reformed the jazz trio in 1985, the tricentenary year of Bach's birth, and they recorded interpretations of compositions by other classical composers including Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart and Chopin. Loussier's last albums, My Personal Favorites and Beyond Bach, Other Composers I Adore, were released in 2014, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. For more about Jacques click here: Jacques Loussier.
|Mundell Lowe
|b. 21.4.1922
d. 2.12.2017
|American guitarist born in Mississippi. He played with Ray McKinley and Benny Goodman before becoming an NBC staff musician in 1950. During his career, he worked with Benny Carter, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald Johnny Hodges, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz and many others. For more about Mundell click here: Mundell Lowe.
|Reggie Lucas
|b. 25.2.1953
d. 19.5.2018
|American guitarist, song writer and record producer who played with Miles Davis' electric band (including Pete Cosey, Michael Henderson and Al Foster) in the 1970s. He became a producer working with percussionist James Mtume for artists including Lou Rawls and Roberta Flack. For more about Rggie click here: Reggie Lucas.
|Lawrence Lucie
|b. 18.12.1907
d. 14.8.2009
|Guitar player who played with Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson and was the last living musician to have recorded with Jelly Roll Morton. Click here for Larry's obituary: Lawrence Lucie.
|Jon Lucien
b. 8.1.1942
|Born Lucien Harrigan in British Virgin Islands, he collaborated with Weather Report and Grover Washington Jr. producing a smooth soul-jazz reputation with his baritone voice. For obituary click here. Jon Lucien.
|David Lund
|d. 2010
|David was a UK jazz pianist who played at many jazz venues including the Pizza Express in Soho, but is well known for the Thursday jazz concerts he ran for 25 years that featured many famous musicians. He was Head of English at University College School and in 1995 was presented with the BBC Jazz Society Award. Sadly his brother Peter, who wrote this rememberance and who cared for David for many of his later years, has also since passed through the departure lounge. For David's obituary click here: David Lund
|Bruce Lundvall
Record Producer
|b. 13.9.1935
d. 19.5.2015
|American who described himself as a 'failed saxophonist' but who went on to be a significant record company executive at Blue Note Records. He was responsible for reviving the label in the 1980s and for it becoming one of the most famous companies recording contemporary jazz. He signed and developed the careers of musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz and Norah Jones. For Bruce's obituary click here: Bruce Lundvall.
|Nellie Lutcher
|b. 15.10.1915
d. 8.6.2007
|American singer from Louisiana, influenced by Nina Simone. Joined Clarence Hart's Imperial Jazz band at 14, and Southern Rhythm Boys at 28. Started recording for Capitol in 1947 as Nellie Lutcher and her Rhythm. Click here for obituary. Nellie Lutcher.
|Claude Luter
b. 23.7.1923
|French clarinettist and bandleader. A prominent musician in Paris, Luter came to jazz in 1938 influenced by Johnny Dodds and then by Sidney Bechet. Luter was 26 when Bechet came to Paris and the two worked closely together until Bechet died in 1959.Click here for obituary.Claude Luter
|Humphrey Lyttelton
Tenor Horn
|b. 23.5.1921
d. 25.4.2008
|British band leader / radio presenter. Encouraged the band when Sandy and Al first moved to London. Invited them to join his own band for the recording of 'Four's Company' and 'Forty And Tight' on Parlophone in 1953. More about Humph. For Humph's obituary click here: Humphrey Lyttelton.
|Harold Mabern
|b. 20.3.1936
d. 17.9.2019
|American jazz pianist and composer described in The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings as "one of the great post-bop pianists". Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he played piano from his teens and was largely self-taught. He went to New York City in 1959 and played with Cannonball Adderley, Lionel Hampton, Donald Byrd, Roy Haynes, Miles Davis, J J Johnson, Wes Montgomery, Milt Jackson and many others. His last album, The Iron Man: Live At Smoke was released in 2018. For more about Harold click here: Harold Mabern.
|Teo Macero
|b. 30.10.1925
d. 19.2.2008
|Born in Glen Falls, New York, he studied at the Juilliard School of Music and helped Charles Mingus form the Jazz Composers Workshop. He produced the recordings of many jazz greats including Brubeck's 'Time Out' album and Miles Davis's 'Kind Of Blue'. For Teo's obituary click here: Teo Macero.
|Henry MacKenzie
|b. 15.2.1923
d. 2.9.2007
|Clarinet and saxophone player with the Ted Heath band. He also played freelance clarinet with Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Don Lusher and George Chisholm. For Henry's obituary click here: Henry MacKenzie.
|Spike Mackintosh
|Ross MacManus
|b. 20.10.1927
d. 24.11.2011
|The father of singer Elvis Costello, Ross MacManus was a trumpeter and singer from Merseyside who favoured bebop and went on to play with Ronnie Ross and Tubby Hayes before joining Bob Miller and then Joe Loss, developing his career as a singer. For Ross's obituary click here: Ross MacManus
|Richard Madgewick
|b. 21.8.1944
d. 17.8.2013
|Mike Durrell writes: 'Pianist Richard Madgewick passed away on the 17th August. He was an old and very great friend and was only staying with us for a few days about a month ago and seemed fine at the time, in fact he depped for Alan Berry in the gig I do every Tuesday. He will be greatly missed.' Classically trained, Richard gave up his job in the insurance industry when he was thirty to play music full-time. He worked with many around the Croydon area and was pianist with the John Miller band. For Richard's obituary click here: Richard Madgewick.
|Tim Mahn
|Henry Majewski
|Junior Mance
b. 10.10.1928
American pianist and composer born in Illinois. Discharged from the Army in 1953, Mance immediately started working at the Bee Hive Jazz Club in Chicago, completing the house rhythm section with Israel Crosby (bass) and Buddy Smith (drums). During his year at the Bee Hive, he backed musicians such as Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis and Sonny Stitt. He went on to record with Dinah Washington, became part of Cannonball Adderley's band, Dizzy Gillespie's band, and also his own band. For more about Junior click here: Junior Mance. Obituaries: New York Times : Downbeat :
|Johnny Mandel
|b. 23.11.1925
d. 29.6.2020
|American composer and arranger born in Manhattan who played piano, trumpet (with Joe Venuti) and trombone (with Jimmy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and others). The musicians he worked with include Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur and Shirley Horn.He won 5 Grammy Awards - from 17 nominations; his first nomination was for his debut film score for the multi-nominated 1958 film I Want to Live! For more about Johnny click here: Johnny Mandel. Obituaries: The Telegraph : The Times :
|Joe Maneri
|b. 9.2.27
d 24.8.2009
|Saxophonist, clarinettist and microtonal jazz music explorer from Brooklyn who usually played and recorded during the 1990s and early 2000s with his son Mat. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Maneri
|Istvan Mankovits
|Ray Mantilla
|b. 22.6.1934
d. 21.3.2020
|American percussionist and bandleader born in the South Bronx who had a prolific jazz career for more than half a century. Mantilla played on hundreds of recordings, including some that have become important parts of jazz history, like Max Roach's M'Boom, Herbie Mann's Flute, Brass, Vibes and Percussion and Charles Mingus's Cumbia & Jazz Fusion. He was one of the three most recorded conga players in the history of jazz; he held that distinction with Ray Barretto and Cándido Camero. In 1977, Ray also made political history as part of a group of musicians led by Dizzy Gillespie who became the first to perform in Cuba since the travel embargo of 1962. Their joint concerts with Cuba's supergroup Irakere and the rúmba percussion ensemble Los Papines would re-establish musical ties with the island. For more about Ray click here: Ray Mantilla.
|Charlie Mariano
|Alto Sax
|b. 12.11.1923
d. 16.6.2009
|Alto sax player who contributed bebop solos in Stan kenton and Shelly Manne's bands. He played free jazz with his own band Osmosis and was a pioneer of rock fusion. For Charlie's obituary click here: Charlie Mariano.
|Teena Marie
|b. 5.3.1956
d. 26.12.2010
|White soul singer from California born Mary Christime Brockert who became a Motown star. Motown wasn't quite sure what to make of this girl who sounded black, and purposely packaged her album Wild And Peaceful in a nondescript sleeve that didn't include a picture of her. She once said: 'Each song I was coming up with began to sound like the style of some favourite artist of mine from the past, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Billie Holliday, the old Chicago soul of The Emotions and the new Chicago vibe of Kanye West.' Click here for Teena's obituary: Teena Marie.
|Ellis Marsalis Jr
|b. 14.11.1934
d. 1.4.2020
American pianist born in New Orleans and father of jazz musicians Branford, Delfeayo and Wynton Marsalis. Ellis recorded almost twenty of his own albums and was featured on many discs with such musicians as David 'Fathead' Newman, Eddie Harris and Courtney Pine. He was a leading educator at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana. As a teacher, he encouraged his students to learn from history while also making discoveries in music on their own. "We don't teach jazz, we teach students," he once said about his ability to teach jazz improvisation. Marsalis died at the age of 85 from pneumonia brought on by Covid-19.For more about Ellis click here: Ellis Marsalis Jr. New York Times obituary.
|Tony Marsh
|b. 19.8.1939
d. 9.4.2012
|UK jazz percussionist born in Lancaster in 1939. He joined saxophonist Don Weller in the 1970s, played with Chris Biscoe, Harry Beckett and Mike Osborne and then went to work with Mike Westbrook. He was involved with the London Improvisors Orchestra and since 2011 was working with Shabaka Hutchings and Guillaume Viltard. Click here for Tpony's obituary: Tony Marsh
|John Marshall
|b. 28.8.1941
|Pat Martino
|b. 25.8.1944
|American guitarist and composer born Patrick Carmen Azzara in Philadelphia. Amongst others he played with Martino played and recorded early in his career with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, Eric Kloss, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFranceso. Martino had been performing until a hemorrhaged arteriovenous malformation caused a "near-fatal seizure" in 1980. The resulting surgery which removed part of his brain left him with amnesia and no recollection or knowledge of his career or how to play the very instrument that made him successful. He was chosen as Guitar Player of the Year in the Down Beat magazine Readers' Poll of 2004. Wikipedia. Obituaries: New York Times : The Independent :
|John Martyn
|b. 11.9.1948
d. 29.1.2009
|British singer and guitarist who was probably better known for his folk music but who blended folk and jazz, probably most famous for his 1973 album Solid Air. For John's obituary click here: John Martyn
|Hugh Masekela
b. 4.4.1939
|Award winning South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer. He has been described as "the father of South African jazz." Born in KwaGuqa Township, Witbank, South Africa, Hugh took up the trumpet when he was fourteen after seeing the film Young Man with a Horn (in which Kirk Douglas played a character based on Bix Beiderbecke). His first trumpet, from Louis Armstrong, was given to him by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, the anti-apartheid chaplain at St. Peter's Secondary School. Masekela played music that closely reflected his life experience. The agony, conflict, and exploitation South Africa faced during the 1950s and 1960s inspired and influenced him to make music and also spread political change. After the Sharpville Massacre in 1960, he left the country and with the help of international friends was admitted into London's Guildhall School of Music. He later went on to the Manhattan School of Music. Eventually he collaborated with West and Central African musicians to reconnect with Southern African players when he set up Jive Records a mobile studio in Botswana and the Botswana International School of Music.For more information click here: Hugh Masekela.
|Phil Mason
b. 10.4.1940
|UK trumpet player and bandleader who founded the Isle Of Bute Jazz Festival. He joined Max Collie's Rhythm Aces in 1970 and formed his own band Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars in 1992. He played regularly with friends at venues in Rothesay from the 1980s. For Phil's obituary click here: Phil Mason.
|Rod Mason
|b. 28.9.1940
d. 8.1.2017
|English trumpet / cornet player who played with Cy Laurie from 1959 and joined Monty Sunshine in 1962. In 1965 he founded his own band, and from 1970 he played in the Acker Bilk's Paramount Jazz Band, before he founded a band together with Ian Wheeler in 1973. From 1980 Rod played in the Dutch Swing College Band and in 1985 he founded Hot Five band, with which he released a number of albums for Timeless Records. In later life he lived with his wife Ingrid in Germany. For more about Rod click here: Rod Mason.
|Ron Mathewson
|Double Bass
Bass Guitar
|Tina May
|b. 30.3.1961
d. 26.3.2022
|Popular UK vocalist and teacher born in Gloucester in 1961. She began her jazz singing career during her time at the University of Wales in Cardiff and then in Paris, and she went on to sing with many famous jazz musicians. She had a particularly fruitful association with 33 Records, over some 18 albums with more planned, and those with Linn Records and Hep (with the Griffith big band and small group) ' placed her firmly among the most enterprising of British jazz vocalists.' Tina's life was sadly brought short after developing cancer.Obituaries: Jazzwise : Wikipedia :
|Ewan McColl
|Paul McDowell
|b. 15.8.1931
d. 2.5.2016
|Born in London in 1931, 'Whispering' Paul McDowell found fame as singer with The Temperence Seven. When he was studying at Chelsea School of Art he took up the trombone and formed Paul McDowell and his Gentleman Ravers which later expanded to become the Temperence Seven. Their 1961 recording of You're Driving Me Crazy became a No. 1 hit and was soon followed by their recording of Pasadena. He went on to become a writer for television and an actor, mainly on TV. For Paul's obituary click here: Paul McDowell.
|Tom McGrath
|b. 23.10.1940
d. 29.4.2009
|Glasgow born pianist, performance poet and playwright whose piano playing was influenced by Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell and others and who was influential in bringing concerts by great jazz musicians to Glasgow. For Tom's obituary click here: Tom McGrath
|Bill McGregor
|Jimmy McGriff
|b. 3.4.1936
d. 24.5.2008
|Organist who blended gospel, blues and jazz styles. Recorded for a number of labels including Blue Note and Solid State and his last album 'McGriff Avenue' was released in 2002. For obituary click here: Jimmy McGriff.
|Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre
|b. 24.3.1936
d. 9.11.2013
|Born Maurice Benford McIntyre in Arkansas, he took up the saxophone as a child but his playing lapsed. He was imprisoned for drug offences in a Kentucky jail at the same time as pianist Tadd Dameron. On his release he began to work with Muhal Richard Abram at the Chicago based Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians where he became an exponent of 'spirit jazz and continued to play and compose avant garde jazz and roots music. Click here for Kalaparashu's obituary: Kalaparusha McIntyre.
|Dave McKenna
|b. 30.5.1930
d. 18.10.2008
|Jazz pianist who sounded at his best playing solo but played with Woody Herman, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Ruby Braff, Joe Temperley, Bob Wilbur, Buddy Rich, Bobby Hackett , and Charlie Parker amongst others. For Dave's obituary click here: Dave McKenna
|Hal McKusick
Alto sax
|b. 1.6.1924
d. 10.4.2012
|Harold McKusick Jr, American alto tenor and clarinet player, bandleader and composer who in the 1940s played with Les Brown, Woody Herman, and as a sideman with many big bands, and then in the 1950s played with Charlie Barnet, Terry Gibbs, Gene Krupa, Elliot Lawrence and George Russell and joined staff of CBS studios in New York. For Hal's obituary click here: Hal McKusick
|John McLaughlin
|b. 4.1.1942
|Played with the Sandy Brown band on the 'Hair at its Hairiest' album.Worked with many UK bands and visiting musicians. Adopted the name Mahavishnu and had bands unfer that name. Appeared in Bernard Tavernier's film Round Midnight. Click here for John's website: John McLaughlin.
|Al McPake
|d. 16.1.2018
|Played with Sandy Brown's band in the 1950s but only recorded with Sandy and a band under Stan Greig's name in Copenhagen in September '57. Unfortunately these do not appear to be on YouTube to share. We have heard that Al has died on 16th January after a long illness. We would welcome more information about him.
|Marian McPartland
|b. 20.3.1918
d. 20.8.2013
UK pianist born in Windsor and brought up in Kent. During the war she was entertaining in Belgium when she met her future husband, American cornet player Jimmy McPartland. Moving to Chicago, she played with Jimmy until she formed her own trio and played for a short while with Benny Goodman. Marion and Jimmy divorced and later remarried just before Jimmy died. She continued to play into her late 80s and was awarded the OBE in 2010. Click here for Marian's obituary: Marian McPartland
|Tommy McQuater
|b. 4.9.1914
d. 20.1.2008
|Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Tommy started playing the cornet when he was eleven. He went on to play trumpet with Louis Freeman, Jack Payne, Lew Stone, Bert Ambrose, The Squadronaires, Kenny Baker and Jack Parnell. For Tommy's obituary click here: Tommy McQuater.
|Neil McShane
|Jay McShann
|b. 12.1.1916
d. 7.12.2006
|American pianist, blues singer and bandleader closely associated with Charlie Parker who played in McShann's band in 1940-42. Click here for obituary. Jay McShann
|Kevin Mahogany
|b. 30.7.1958
d. 17.12.2017
|American vocalist from Kansas City influenced by saxophonists Ben Webster, Charlie Parker and Al Jarreau. He performed with musicians such as Elvin Jones and Ray Brown and made a number of recordings with people like Ralph Moore, Kenny Barron, Ray Brummond and Lewis Nash. In 1996 he portrayed the midcentury crooner Big Joe Turner in Robert Altman's film "Kansas City." He also appeared in "Jazz '34: Remembrances of Kansas City Swing," a companion film built around a jam session shot on the set of "Kansas City." For Kevin's obituary click here: Kevin Mahogany.
|Earl May
|b. 17.9.1927
d. 8.1.2008
|Bass player whose career began at Minton's Playhouse with Lester Young and Carmen McRae and went on to play with many jazz greats including Charlie Parker and Miles Davies. Click here for details from the Jazz Museum in Harlem: Earl May and here for obituary.
|Lyle Mays
|b. 27.11.1953
d. 10.2.2020
|American pianist and composer known for his work with guitarist Pat Metheny's group. As a young man he was introduced to jazz pianist Marian McPartland at summer camp; He composed and arranged for the One O'Clock Lab Band and was the composer and arranger for the Grammy Award-nominated album Lab 75. After leaving North Texas, Mays toured with Woody Herman's group for approximately eight months. In 1975, he met Pat Metheny with whom he founded the Pat Metheny Group. Mays won eleven Grammy Awards with the Pat Metheny Group and was nominated for four others for his own work. For more about Lyle click here: Lyle Mays. Obituary
|Getatchew Mekurya
|b. 14.3.1935
d. 4.4.2016
|Ethiopian saxophonist, (his name is pronounced GET-a-chew Me-KUR-ya) who worked predominantly in Ethiopia for decades before being embraced by a worldwide audience. His playing produced an original sound, and was compared to that of Albert Ayler, whom he claimed at the time never to have heard. 'Rather than a cosmopolitan form of jazz with Ethiopian influence, Mr. Mekurya made a music of gruff, earthy incantation, rooted in folkloric custom.' For Getatchew's obituary click here: Getatchew Mekurya
|George Melly
|b. 17.8.1926
d. 5.7.2007
|Born in Liverpool, George sang with Mick Mulligan's Magnolia Jazz Band and John Chilton's Feetwarmers but also had a very colourful life which can be read about in his obituary: George Melly .
|Mike Melvoin
|b. 1938
d. 28.2.2012
|Pianist, composer and arranger from Wisconsin. He moved to Los Angeles in 1961 where he played with people like Joe Williams and Peggy Lee. He served as President of the Recording Academy in the USA and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Friends of Jazz at UCLA. For Mike's obituary click here: Mike Melvoin
|Misha Mengelberg
|b. 5.6.1935
d. 3.3.2017
|Born in Kiev, Ukraine, the pianist and composer is possibly known best as the pianist on Eric Dolphy's album Last Date, recorded in concert shortly before Dolphy's death in 1964. His family moved to the Netherlands in 1930. 'He was much better known in Europe, and especially in the Netherlands, where he was one of the leading figures in a thriving avant-garde jazz scene,' where his 'dissonant harmonies and unorthodox phrasing were reminiscent of Thelonious Monk, an acknowledged influence. But he also drew inspiration from many other sources, including the composer John Cage and the interdisciplinary art movement known as Fluxus.' In 1963 he formed a quartet, whose members included drummer Han Bennink. The next year he, Bennink and the bassist Jacques Schols accompanied Dolphy at the concert in the Dutch city of Hilversum that would be released as "Last Date." In 1966 his quartet performed at the Newport Jazz Festival. The next year he, Bennink and the saxophonist Willem Breuker formed the Instant Composers Pool. An ensemble with shifting personnel under the direction of Mengelberg and Bennink, toured Europe regularly and won praise for its unusual blend of anarchic improvisation and straight-ahead swing. For Misha's obituary click here: Misha Mengelberg.
|Mae Mercer
|b. 12.6.1932
d. 29.10.2008
|Blues singer from North Carolina who became a regular at the Blues bar in Paris, became the first blues artist to appear on French TV, toured with Keith Smith and the Climx Jazz Band in the 60s and was an actor in a number of films and television programmes. Click here for obituary: Mae Mercer.
|Jymie Merritt
|Double Bass
|b. 3.5.1926
d. 10.4.2020
|American double-bassist, electric-bass pioneer, band leader and composer. Merritt was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers group from 1957 until 1962. The same year he left Blakey's band, Merritt formed his own group, The Forerunners, which he led sporadically until his death in April. Merritt also worked as a sideman for blues and jazz musicians such asBullmoose Jackson, B.B. King, Chet Baker, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie and Lee Morgan. For more about Jymie click here: Jymie Merritt. JazzTimes obituary.
|Joe Messina
b. 13.12.1928
|American guitarist born in Detroit who started out playing jazz but established a role in the Motown hits of the 1960s. Played with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson and others. Obituaries: Wikipedia : The Guardian :
|Bobby Mickleburgh
|b. 26.9.1920
|Ron Miles
|b. 9.5.1963
d 8.3.2022
|American cornet player born in Indiana. He played with Mercer Ellington and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Ginger Baker, Bill Frisell and others, recorded under his own name and became Professor of Music at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Obituaries: Wikipedia : New York Times : Downbeat :
|Mulgrew Miller
|b. 13.8.1953
d. 29.5.2013
|American pianist born in Mississippi who played the church organ and in soul and R&B bands in his teens. Inspired by Oscar Peterson he joined Mercer Ellington's Band after graduating from the music course at Memphis State University. Went on to play with Benny carter, Art Balkey's Jazz messengers, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Dave Holland and Kenny Garrett as well as leading his own band. In 2006 he became director of jazz studies at William paterson University in New Jersey. For Mulgrew's obituary click here: Mulgrew Miller
|Norma Miller
|b. 2.12.1919
d. 5.5.2019
|American Lindy Hop dancer, choreographer, actress, author, and comedian known as the "Queen of Swing". Norma was the last surviving member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the most famous professional Lindy Hop group of the swing era. She toured with Ethel Waters and featured in films with Duke Ellington, Ivie Anderson and Cab Calloway. For more about Norma click here: Norma Miller
|Tony Milliner
Valve Trombone
Bass Trumpet
|b. 28.12.1929
d. 3.8.2015
|UK trombone player who played with the High Curley Stompers before joining Dave Carey's band. When Jeremy French left the Al Fairweather - Sandy Brown band in 1957, Tony replaced him and stayed with them until 1963. He continued with his own group, Mingus Music, co-led the London Jazz Big Band with Stan Greig and played with Alan Littlejohn, Alvin Roy, Alan Stuart and Willie Garnett. Click here for more about Tony : Tony Milliner.
|Edana Minghella
|b. 14.5.1959
d. 13.7.2022
|Anglo-Italian vocalist and part of the Minghella family (Dominic and Anthony). Born on the Isle Of Wight Edana was also a writer who contributed to the Doc Martin TV series and worked for many years in the mental health sector and was an advocate for improving early dementia diagnosis. Edana's debut CD, Still On My Feet, was released in November 2011 and featured musicians including Guy Barker, Guillermo Rozenthuler and James McMillan and Liane Carroll on backing vocals! Her second album, All Or Nothing, as a tribute to one of the most influential jazz vocalists of all time, Billie Holiday. The album is a collection of some of the songs the made famous and some less well known tunes, many of which Billie co-wrote. Obituaries: Edana's website : The Guardian : On The Wight :
|Charnett Moffett
b. 10.6.1967
|American bass player born in New York City. He played with Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Sanley Jordan, Tony Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Ornette Coleman and many others as well as leading his own groups. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Jazz Times : Guitar World :
|Terry Monaghan
|b. 13.8.1943
d. 26.6.2011
|Co-founder of the award winning dance company the Jiving Lindy Hoppers and a leading authority on jazz dance. For Terry's obituary click here: Terry Monaghan.
|James Moody
|b. 26.3.1925
d. 9.12.2010
|American saxophonist and bebop pioneer who worked closely with Dizzy Gillespie from 1946 before joining Miles Davis in 1949 and then working in Europe. He rejoined Dizzy in 1963. He was still recording in the 1990s and received a Jazz Master Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998.For James's obituaty click here: James Moody.
|Derek Moore
|Frank Morgan
|b. 23.12.1933
d. 14.12 2007.
|Protege of Charlie Parker who played with Lionel Hampton but who spent 30 years in prison. Click here for Frank's obituary. Frank Morgan
|Eddie Mordue
|Tenor saxophone
|b. 5.1.1928
d. 26.1.2011
|UK tenor saxophonist who played with the big bands including those of Eric Winstone and Jack Nathan. Once danced with Princess Margaret and recorded with Paul McCartney amongst many others. For Eddie's obituary click here: Eddie Mordue.
|Joe Morello
|b. 17.7.1928
d. 12.3.2011
|American drummer born in Massachusetts best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the 1950s. He moved to New York in 1952 and played with Art Pepper, Jay McShann, Johnny Smith and Stan Kenton. Lost his sight in later life but continued to teach. Click here for Joe's obituary: Joe Morello
|Buddy Morrow
|b. 8.2.1919
d. 27. 9.2010
|American trombone player and bandleader. Born Moe Zudekoff, Buddy played with Eddie Condon, Tommy Dorsey, Bob Crosby and others and in recent years has led the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. For Buddy's obituary click here: Buddy Morrow.
|John Mortimer
|b. 1937
|Sal Mosca
|b. 27.4.1927
d. 28.7.2007
|From New York State, Mosca was attracted early to the music of James P. Johnson and Fats Waller and started playing in nightclubs at 15. Strongly influenced by Lennie Tristano, he recorded with Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz. Went on to teach and encourage young musicians. Click here for Sal's obituary. Sal Mosca. Or here for Sal's website.
|Danny Moss
|Tenor Saxophone
b. 16.8.1927
|World-class British tenor saxophonist who, in the early days, worked as a sideman with amongst others, Ted Heath, Humphrey Lyttelton and Johnny Dankworth. He played regularly with Sandy Brown and Alex Welsh, and was a founder member of the Pizza Express All Stars. Danny was made an MBE in 1990. For Danny's obituary click here: Danny Moss.
|Paul Motian
|b. 25.3.1931
d. 22.11.2011
|American drummer who became part of the legendary Bill Evans trio with bassist Scott LaFaro. He went on to work with Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett and in 1981 when he was 50, teamed up with Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell to form a trio that lasted into the 1990s. Fpr Paul's obituary click here: Paul Motian
|Marc Moulin
|b. 1942
d. 26.9.2008
|Belgian pianist who worked with Slide hampton, Dexter Gordon and Clark terry amongst others and created the avante-garde jazz-rock collective 'Placebo'. For more information and videos click here: Marc Moulin.
|Alphonse Mouzon
|b. 21.11.1948
d. 25.12.2016
|American jazz and fusion drummer and keyboard player born in Charleston, South Carolina. He was part of the first Weather Report band. He also played with Larry Coryell's Eleventh House and Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock and others. "Because my mind is open, I don't want to always be identified as just a jazz drummer," Mr. Mouzon told Modern Drummer magazine in 1979. "I got my start through jazz, and I'm not putting it down. But there are other things I do." Flor Alphonse's obituary click here: Alphonse Mouzon.
|George Mraz
|Dpuble Bass
|b. 9.9.1944
d. 16.9.2021
|Czech-born American bass and alto sax player. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group and worked with many others including Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Stephane Grappelli, Chet Baker, Joe Henderson ......During the 1970s, he was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.He also appeared with Joe Lovano, Hank Jones and Paul Motian on Lovano's records. He was also known for performing solos with a bow in arco style. For George's obituary click here: Wikipedia : Jazz Times : The Strad
|Bheki Mseleku
|b. 1955
d. 9.9.2008
|Self-taught South African jazz pianist who also played saxophone and guitar. He had a difficult life with mental and physical health problems, including the loss of the top joints of two fingers on his right hand. Formed the progressive jazz group Spirits Rejoice; played at the 1977 Newport Jazz Festival, worked with Hugh Masekela and Eugene Skeef. For Bheki's obituary click here: Bheki Mseleku
|Joe Mudele
|b. 30.9.1920
d. 7.3.2014
|UK bass player born in London. In the 1940s he joined the Tito Burns Sextet of which Ronnie Scott and John Dankworth were both members. In 1948 with Scott and Dankworth, but calling himself Joe Muddel, he was one of the Club Eleven members who started playing bebop and he got to sit in with Charlie Parker and Max Roach. Over the years that followed he played with many musicians and formed his own band in 1951 before going on to be a popular session musician. Until very recently he continued to play jazz at Bexley Jazz Club on Monday nights. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Mudele.
|Idris Muhammad
|b. 13.11.1939
d. 29.7.2014
|New Orleans drummer who played soul jazz, acid jazz and avant-garde music with saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. Others with whom he collaborated included Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Ernest Ranglin, John Scofield, Nat Adderley, George Benson and Roberta Flack. His career started when at sixteen he played on Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill. For Idris's obituary click here: Idris Muhammad.
|Mick Mulligan
b. 24.1.1928
|British trumpeter and bandleader. Friend of Eddie Condon, Louis Armstrong and Wild Bill Davison. George Melly came to fame in Mick's Magnolia Jazz band. Click here for Mick's obituary Mick Mulligan.
|Joe Muranyi
|b. 14.1.1928
d. 20.4.2012
|US clarinet player of Hungarian origins who was the last clarinettist with Louis Armstrong's All Stars band. He played with Eddie Condon, Henry 'Red' Allen and Max Kaminsky, but was also a producer and line-note writer for RCA Victor records. He led the Village Stompers Band from 1963. When Louis died, Joe played with Roy Eldridge and then freelanced, including stints with The World's Greatest Jazz Band and the Classic Jazz Quartet. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Muranyi.
|Mark Murphy
|b. 14.3.1932
d. 22.10.2015
|Born in Syracuse, New York, Mark Murphy became one of the influential jazz vocalists of the twentieth century. From 1963 to 1972 he was based in London singing in nightclubs, and on returning to the USE, began recording for the Muse label. During his career he made more than 40 albums and was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards. His choice of music from that of Duke Ellington to Latin American tunes to be-bop influenced interpretations made him a cult figure, and in 1981, he recorded the album, Bop for Kerouac, 'in which he blended the prose of Jack Kerouac's On the Road with musical meditations on Charlie Parker, George Shearing and the jazz sensibility.' A singer's singer, he left a deep impression on jazz music. For Mark's obituary click here: Mark Murphy.
|Matt Murphy
|b. 29.12.1929
d. 15.6.2018
|American blues guitarist born in Sunflower, Mississippi, and was educated in Memphis, Tennessee, where his father worked at the Peabody Hotel. Murphy learned to play guitar when he was a child. He worked with Memphis Slim and recorded with Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and Etta James. He gave a memorable performance in 1963 on the American Folk Blues Festival tour of Europe with his "Matt's Guitar Boogie".Freddie King is said to have once admitted that he based his "Hide Away" on Murphy's playing during this performance. In the 1970s, Murphy associated with harmonica player James Cotton, recording over six albums. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi attended one of their performances and subsequently asked Murphy to join the touring band of The Blues Brothers. Murphy also appeared in the Blues Brothers films. For Matt's obituary click here: Matt Murphy.
|Doug Murray
|d. 2.2010
|Pianist and trombonist from Ireland who initially played with the Ulster Rhythm Kings before coming to East London where he played with Bob Whetstone's band. Friend of Sandy Brown and Al Fairweather who helped him find his way round the London jazz scene in the 1960s. He played for many years in North London pubs with people like Wally Fawkes, Ian Christie, Colin Smith and Cambell Burnap, and was pianist for Mike Daniels Delta Jazz Band. Click here for Doug's obituary: Doug Murray.
|Sunny Murray
|b. 21.9.1936
d. 7.12.2017
|American drummer born in Idabel, Oklahoma. Described as an 'influential drummer who was among the first to define a personal style in the free-jazz idiom', he met pianist Cecil Taylor in 1960. He had worked with tenor saxophonist Rocky Boyd, and sometimes sat in with Jackie McLean and James Moody and then after his partnership with Taylor, went on to work with Albert Ayler. He moved to Europe in 1968 where he continued to play and record. For Sunny's obituary click here: Sunny Murray.
|Corey Mwamba
|Derby based vibraphone and dulcimer player and one of the third intake of the Take Five initiative to support emerging jazz musicians. Involved in a nummber of projects to support and encourage other musicians. More about Corey.
|Dave Mylne
|Ivan Nagy
|Jeno Nagy
|Buell Neidlinger
|b. 2.3.1936
d. 16.3.2018
|American bass player who started out playing classical music and Dixieland jazz with Eli's Chosen Six. In 1956 he joined pianist Cecil Taylor and later became a member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra. He spent almost 30 years as the principal bassist in the Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra. He had a significant role in the establishment of free jazz, took part in the premieres of works by John Cage and Igor Stravinsky and had credits on numerous hit songs and soundtracks. For Buell's obituary click here: Buell Neidlinger.
|Billy Neill
|David 'Fathead' Newman
|b. 24.2.1933
d. 20.1.2009
|American saxophonist who played with the influential Buster Smith band, and with pianist Lloyd Glen before being recruited by Ray Charles until 1964 when Newman became a session musician. Nominated for a Grammy award in 1990 with Art Blakey and Dr John for their album Bluesiana Triangle. For obituary click here: David Newman
|Vincent Nguini
|b. 7.1952
d. 8.12.2017
|Guitarist from the Cameroon best known for playing with Paul Simon's band but he was fluent in jazz, blues, salsa, samba, bikutsi and makossa from Cameroon, highlife from Ghana, juju from Nigeria, soukous from Congo and mbaqanga from South Africa, as well as Mr. Simon's folk-pop. A fan of Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery, he began his collaboration with Paul Simon after coming to New York City in 1987; they were introduced by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. For Vincent's obituary click here: Vincent Nguini.
|Geoff Nichols
Tenor Horn
|b. ?
d. 8/9. 6. 2019
|UK trumpet, tenor horn, vibes player and vocalist who was well known for forming, with clarinettist Ray Bush the Avon Cities Jazz Band in 1949. Based in Bristol they became very popular not just in the West Country, but nationally, playing venues such as London's 100 Club. Geoff, with the band, became a major figure in the 1950's traditional jazz revival, and the band also featured a skiffle band during the 1960s with Ray Bush (guitar/vocals); Geoff Nichols (double bass); Wayne Chandler (guitar) and Mike Hitchings (mandolin). Ray Bush moved to the USA in 1984 and Geoff went on to lead the Blues Notes band and his Swing band, Good Vibes. The Avon Cities band continued until 2000. Geoff went on to play with the Somerset-based Darktown Strutters band. (We do not have a link to an obituary for Geoff).
|Keith Nichols
b. 13.2.1945
|English jazz multi-instrumentalist and arranger born in Essex, Keith played piano, trombone, reeds and accordion. He began by playing ragtime tunes, formed the bands New Sedalia and the Ragtime Orchestra in the 1970s along with Mo Morris, Richard Warner and Paul Nossiter. Keith recorded and gigged with Bing Crosby, and Dick Sudhalter moved on to play Dixieland jazz, Swing, and orchestral Jazz, including the works of Paul Whiteman and Duke Ellington. He was a frequent sideman for the EMI record label and an arranger for the New York Jazz Repertory Company, Dick Hyman, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and in 1978 he helped lead the Midnite Follies Orchestra with Alan Cohen. Keith also played with Digby Fairwaether, Harry Gold and Richard Pite amongst others. Richard Pite passed on the information that Keith had gone into London Hospital last Friday with problems relating to a much delayed prostate operation. Whilst in hospital he fell ill with Covid-19: "Keith was a marvellous pianist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and authority on vintage jazz. He was a delightfully funny presenter and mixed scholarship and wit in a singularly entertaining way. He'll be sorely missed." For more about Keith click here: Keith Nichols. Obituaries: Syncopated Times : Ilford Recorder :
|Lennie Niehaus
|b. 11.6.1929
d. 28.5.2020
|American alto saxophonist, arranger, and composer on the West Coast jazz scene. Born in Missouri, he played with the Stan Kenton Big Band, trombonist Ray Vasquez, the Phil Carreon Orchestra, and others. Niehaus composed and arranged for many feature films including Clint Eastwood's biographical Charlie Parker movie, Bird. For more about Lennie click here: Lennie Niehaus. Obituaries: New York Times : The Guardian : Jazz Times :
|Bern Nix
|b. 21.9.1947
d. 31.5.2017
|Steve Day writes: The great Prime Time guitarist Bern Nix died (unexpectedly) on the 31st May. Along with James 'Blood' Ulmer and Charles Ellerbee, Nix's name became synonymous with translating Ornette Coleman's Harmolodic theory for guitar. Simplistically (sic) it could be said that Ellerbee did the rock, Ulmer spoke through the blues, while Bern Nix articulated the jazz. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, learnt guitar as a kid, and via a circuitous route eventually studied at Berklee College Of Music. Bern Nix spent twelve years playing with Ornette Coleman's Prime Time and is probably best remembered, along with Ellerbee, riding the central repeating riff of the classic Dancing In Your Head (1977) track Theme From A Symphony. Bern Nix never received full recognition for his Post-Ornette work, his trio recording Alarms & Excursions with two other iconic musicians Fred Hopkins, bass and Newman Baker, drums, was a subtle storm. Bern Nix rarely used effects pedals, preferring a direct line to tonality, and a finger technique of twists and turns. A unique man and musician has left us. For Bern's obituary click here: Bern Nix.
|Bob Northern (Brother Au)
|French Horn
|b. 21.5.1934
d. 31.5.2020
American French Horn player and bandleader born in North Carolina and raised in The Bronx. He was perhaps best known as a session musician working extensively in the 1950s and 1960s with musicians such as Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, Sun Ra, McCoy Tyner, Don Cherry, Miles Davis and many others. For more about Bob click here: Bob Northern. Obituaries: New York Times : Jazz Times :
|George Oag
|d. 2008
|Mike Oakley
|Tomasz Ochalski
|Anita O'Day
|b. 18.10.1919
d. 23.11.2006
|American jazz singer who worked with Gene Krupa, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Roy Eldridge. Click here for Anita's obituary. Anita O'Day
|Paul Oliver
|Blues researcher
b. 25.5.1927
|Born in Oxfordshire, England, Paul Oliver wrote some of the most respected histories of the Blues. His biography of Bessie Smith was first published in 1959. His second book Blues Fell This Morning (1960) became a popular classic and was followed by The Story Of The Blues (1969) following Oliver's touring the American South interviewing and recording Blues singers. Brett Bonner, the editor of the magazine Living Blues, said in an interview: "Paul was one of the founders of blues scholarship. He and Sam Charters set the template for everything that followed. They also set the stage for the blues revival of the 1960s. Without them, people like Mississippi John Hurt, Son House and Skip James would not have had second careers." Paul Oliver was actually an architectural historian and also wrote and lectured on that subject. For Paul's obituary click here: Paul Oliver.
|Ruan O'Lochlainn
|b. 11.10.1942
d. 8.5.1988
|Bobby Orr
|b. 15.8.1928
|Mike Osborne
|b. 28.9.1941
d. 19.9.2007
|British Alto Sax player who emerged in the 1960s playing in Mike Westbrook's band with John Surman and Malcolm Griffiths. Returned to Westbrook's later band, played with Mike Gibbs and Humphrey Lyttelton and led his own trios. Click here for Mike's obituary. Mike Osborne.
|Earl Palmer
|b. 25.10.1924
d. 19.9.2008
|Drummer from New Orleans who tap danced with Ida Cox's Darktown Scandals Review. He drummed for Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie and played blues with B.B. King and soul with Ray Charles. Helped to invent the backbeat that came to define the sound of rock and roll. For obituary click here: Earl Palmer.
|Brian Parker
|Johnny Parker
b. 6.11.1929
|Pianist with Humphrey Lyttelton, Kenny Ball and Alexis Korner, amongst others. Featured on Humph's 'Bad Penny Blues' and on the recording made by Sandy Brown and Al Fairweather with Humph's band. More about Johnny.
|Robert Parker
|b. 14.10.1930
d. 19.1.2020
|Robert Parker - saxophonist and vocalist born in New Orleans whose career gradually moved more towards R&B music. Initially he played with Professor Longhair on his hit "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" and then went on to play with most of New Orleans' musicians, including Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, and Huey "Piano" Smith. By 1958, he had started recording solo, having a local hit with the instrumental "All Nite Long" He then signed for Nola Records, and had his biggest hit with "Barefootin'", which he had written. It sold over one million copies, made the pop charts in Britain and elsewhere. He had another minor R&B hit with "Tip Toe". For more about Robert click here: Robert Parker. Obituary.
|Horace Parlan
|b. 19.1.1931
d. 24.2.2017
|American pianist whose adoptive parents gave him piano lessons as therapy when he was 7, two years after polio left him partly paralyzed on the right side of his body. He moved to New York in 1957 and became a member of Charles Mingus's ensemble. He remained until 1959 and was prominently featured on the Mingus albums Mingus Ah Um and Blues and Roots. He also worked with Sonny Stitt and Archie Shepp amongst others. Unable to use the middle two fingers of his right hand, Mr. Parlan still forged a style that impressed critics. For Horace's obituary click here: Horace Parlan.
|Jack Parnell
b. 6.8.1923
|British drummer and bandleader who played with Buddy Featherstonhaugh and then formed the Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen with Vic Lewis. In 1945 he joined Ted Heath's band until in 1951, he formed his own band. After working for ATV as musical director, he toured with the Best of British Jazz show during the 1990s. For Jack's obituary click here: Jack Parnell.
|Rebecca Parris
|b. 28.12.1951
d. 17.6.2018
|American jazz singer who, during her career, appeared with Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Wynton Marsalis, Gary Burton and Dizzy Gillespie. Known as 'Boston's First Lady of Jazz', she performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, Oslo Jazz Festival and the International Floating Jazz Festival. She won the Boston Music Awards nine times. For Rebecca's obituary click here: Rebecca Parris.
|Frank Parr
|b. 1.6.1928
d. 8.5.2012
|UK trombone player with the Mersysippi Jazz band. He joined Mick Mulligan's band fronted by George Melly in 1956 and eventually became Acker Bilk's manager. Until 1993, Frank captained The Ravers cricket team made up of jazz musicians. For Frank's obituary click here: Frank Parr
|Dru Paterson
|Ottilie Patterson
|b. 31.1.1932
d. 20.6.2011
|Born in Ireland in 1932, she joined Chris Barber's band in 1954 impressing everyone with her incredible voice. She contracted throat problems in 1963, but went on singing with the band occasionally until 1973. Click here for Ottilie's obituary: Ottilie Patterson.
|Fritz Pauer
|b. 14.6.1943
d. 1.7.2012
|Austrian pianist, bandleader and composer. After a period in Germany he returned to Vienna and played with Erich Kleinschuster and founded his own trio. In 1970 he joined the ORF Radio Big Band. Eventually he went into jazz music teaching and played solo concerts from 2004. Over the years he played with many jazz 'greats' including Harry Edison, Joe Zawinul, Benny Carter and Warren Vache. For Fritz's obituary click here: Fritz Pauer. (You might need to click 'translate' on this link).
|Les Paul
|b. 9.6.1915
d. 13.8.2009
Influential guitarist of the 20th century who gave his name to the Gibson Les Paul guitar and who played in the 1930s in support of Chicago blues singer Georgia White and with the Nat King Cole Trio. For Les's obituary click here: Les Paul
|Dave Paxton
b. 16.4.1926
|Contempoarary of Sandy Brown at Royal High School who learned to play clarinet with Sandy and played with Sandy's band at Edinburgh Jazz Club. More about Dave.
|Cecil Payne
b. 14.12.2007
|First to play be bop on the baritone saxophone and played with Dizzy Gillespie, Tadd Dameron, Illinois Jacquet and James Moody. Click here for Cecil's obituary. Cecil Payne
|Ian Pearce
|b. 1921
d. 8.11.2012
|Tasmanian pianist and bandleader who started out on trumpet and trombone and played with Mick Mulligan in London before switching to piano and moving back to Tasmania. Click here for Ian's obituary: Ian Pearce.
|Johnny Pearson
|b. 18.6.1925
d. 20.3.2011
|UK pianist and bandleader born in Derbyshire. He played piano with the Malcolm Mitchell Trio and the Peter York Concert Orchestra and then moved on to more easy-listening and popular music with his Johnny Pearson Orchestra. Click here for more Johnny's obituary: Johnny Pearson
|Nat Peck
|b. 13.1.1925
d. 24.10.2015
|Trombonist and last surviving member of Glenn Miller's Army Airforce Orchestra. He joined Miller in 1944 and when Glenn Miller disappeared over the channel, continued to work with the band under Ray McKinley. He formed his own band but went on to play and record with Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge and Rex Stewart in Paris. He lived between France and the USA working with a number of big name band leaders and between 1963 and 1969 he was a member of the Clarke-Boland Big Band. In 1965 he moved to London and eventually decided to give up playing. For Nat's obituary click here: Nat Peck.
|Roy Pellett
|b. 20.3.1935
d. 2.2019
|UK clarinettist and bandleader born in Surrey. Played with Dave Nelson, Leathertown Jazzmen (jn Germany), returned to lead re-formed Clyde Valley Stompers in 1963, also played with Gerry Brown, London City Jazzmen, Max Collie's Rhythm Aces (founder member), Bob Wallis, Rod Mason, his own Hot Four and came up with the concept of the BBC Jazz Score programme. For more about Roy click here: Roy Pellett.
|Austin Peralta
|b. 25.10.1990
d. 21.11.2012
|American pianist who died at the age of 22 (cause of death not announced). First made his mark at fifteen with his trio at the Tokyo Jazz Festival. A reporter for the Los Angeles Times said: "Peralta was often a force of nature on his red electric keyboard. Hammering out squelched, funk-dappled notes that recalled 'Bitches Brew'-era Chick Corea at one instance or flickering, twilit atmospherics the next Peralta sounded like every bit the next big thing". For Austin's obituary click here: Austin Peralta
|Graciela Perez-Gutierrez
|b. 23.8.1915
d. 7.4.2010
|Singer from Havana who with Machito and his Afro-Cubans paved the way for Latin Jazz fusion. For Graciela's obituary click here: Graciela Perez-Gutierrez
|Pinetop Perkins
|b. 7.7.1913
d. 21.3.2011
|American Blues guitarist and pianist born in Mississippi who has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Amongst others, he played with Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters and the Legendary Blues Band. Click here forPinetop's obituary: Pinetop Perkins
|Rufus Perryman
|b. 23.10.1892
d. 2.1.1973
|Barrelhouse pianist Rufus 'Speckled Red' Perryman was born in Monroe, Louisiana and died inSt Louis in 1973. Michael Hortog in Austria is researching Rufus's story. Please contact us if you have any information you can offer.
|Bennie Pete
|b. 1976
d. 6.9.2021
|Co-founder and sousaphone player of the New Orleans Hot 8 Brass Band. Bennie died at New Orleans East Hospital of complications from the inflammatory condition sarcoidosis and COVID-19, his wife confirmed. He was 45. The soft-spoken Pete, a gentle giant of a man, was a tireless advocate for New Orleans culture in general and brass band music specifically. He and his bandmates in the Grammy-nominated Hot 8 traveled the world even as they remained fixtures at local parades, funerals and clubs. "As musicians, our job is not only to supply entertainment, but to create moments in time and life, memorable moments, and good moments," Pete said in 2017. Obituaries: NOLA : New York Times : Hot 8 Brass Band : Music Times :
|Oscar Peterson
|b. 15.8.1925
d. 24.12.2007
|Outstanding pianist who could play two-fisted stride, or complex and intricate be-bop piano. Click here for Oscar's obituary. Oscar Peterson.
|Ralph Peterson Jr
|b. 20.5.1962
d. 1.3.2021
|American drummer and bandleader. In 1983, he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as the group's second drummer for several years. He worked with many other musicians including Terence Blanchard, Tom Harrell, Roy Hargrove, Jon Faddis, Dewey Redman and Wynton Marsalis amongst many others. He began recording as a leader in 1988, with a quintet that included Terence Blanchard and Geri Allen, and moved to Canada before returning to Philadelphia. For more about Ralph click here: Ralph Peterson Jr. . Obituaries: New York Times :
|Jim Petrie
|b. 14.4.1937
d. 1.8.2020
|Scottish New Orleans style trumpeter and vocalist from Edinburgh. He played with West Richmond Street Stompers, the Edinburgh Climax Jazz Band, the Auld Reekie Parade Band, the Criterion New Orleans Brass Band and his own bands, amongst others. He continued to lead his Diplomats Of Jazz band from the 1980s until he died. For more about Jim click here: Jim Petrie.
|John Picard
|b. 17.5.1934
|Zdzislaw Piernik
|Harry Pitch
Band Leader
|b. 1925
d. 15.7.2015
UK harmonica player who started out on trumpet and led a successful Count Basie style band in the 1950s when he gradually introduced the harmonica into his band. Active in London for more than 60 years he is also remembered for his playing with Jack Emblow. One of Larry Adler's favourite players, Harry became a leading studio player recording for films and TV including The Bridge On The River Kwai and Last Of The Summer Wine. He also played for many years with the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Big Band. For Harry's obituary click here: Harry Pitch.
|Vic Pitt
|Double Bass
b. 26.9.1941
|Mike Durrell tells us of the passing of double bass player Vic Pitt. Mike says that Vic Pitt 'went through the lounge' in July with leukaemia after surgery to remove his leg a few months ago. Born in Wolverhampton in 1941, Vic started out on mandolin in a family trio before playing banjo with the Crescent City Stompers and then double bass with the Deep Bayou Jazz Band. He played in his bother Tony's trio at London's Skiffle Cellar, and then Russell Qaye's City Ramblers before joining Kanny Ball from 1959 to 1977 when he joined Chris Barber through to the 1990s. For more about Vic click here: Vic Pitt. Obituary: chrisbarber.net :
|Trudy Pitts
|b. 1932
d. 19.12.2010
|American soul and jazz keyboard player from Philadelphia who was known for playing the Hammond B3 organ. She played with Ben Webster, Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, and with Mary Lou Williams in 2006 at the Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For Trudy's obituary click here: Trudy Pitts.
|Bucky Pizzarelli
|b. 9.1.1926
d. 1.4.2020
|American jazz guitarist John Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli, born in New Jersey, has died from the coronavirus; his wife, Joan, also passed away from Covid-19 nine days later. He was the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and double bassist Martin Pizzarelli. The list of musicians he collaborated with includes Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Stéphane Grappelli, and Antônio Carlos Jobim. He joined the Vaughn Monroe dance band in 1944 and in 1952 became a staff musician for NBC, playing with Skitch Henderson. In 1964, he became a member of The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. During his time spent performing for the Tonight Show, he accompanied guest bands and musicians playing through a variety of musical genres. For more about Bucky click here: Bucky Pizzarelli. New York Times obituary.
|Paul Plimley
|b. 16.3.1953
d. 18.5.2022
|Canadaian free jazz pianist and vibraphonist born in British Columbia. He studied with Karl Berger and Cecil Taylor at the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, NY. and in 1977, he founded the New Orchestra Workshop (NOW). He was a frequent collaborator with the bassist Lisle Ellis and in May 2000, he recorded a live act at the 17th International Festival of New Music in Victoriaville, Quebec with John Oswald, Marilyn Crispell and Cecil Taylor.Obituaries: Wikipedia : Stir : New York Times :
|Mike Pointon
b. 25.4.1941
|UK trombonist born in Finchley, North London. As well as leading his own group he played with Bill Brunskill, Dick Laurie's Elastic Band, John Petters, The British All Stars and others. He was also the author of Going Home, a biography of Ken Colyer with whom he had played. Obituary: The Guardian : Also: Mike Pointon's Tea Break :
|Herb Pomeroy
|b. 15.5.1930
d. 11.8.2007
|American trumpeter who played with Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton and Lionel Hampton before teaching at a music school in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for Herb's obituary: Herb Pomeroy.
|Alan Poston
|Benny Powell
|b. 1.3.1930
d. 26.6.2010
|Trombone player and musical educator who played with King Kolax, Ernie Fields, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. Click here for Benny's obituary: Benny Powell.
|André Previn
|b. 6.4.1929
d. 28.2.2019
|A German-American pianist, composer and conductor, Andre Previn was best know for his work with classical music but between 1945 and 1967, he made dozens of jazz recordings, returning to make more between 1989 and 2001. Critic Ted Gioia wrote: '...Previn largely steered clear of Third Stream classicism in his jazz work, aiming more at an earthy, hard-swinging piano style at times reminiscent of Horace Silver. Long before his eventual retreat from his jazz work, Previn had become something of a popularizer of jazz rather than a serious practitioner of the music. At his best, however, his music reflected a strong indigenous feel for the jazz idiom ...'. For more about André click here: Andre Previn.
|Red Price
b. 1926
|Sammy Price
|Brian Prudence
|Colin Purbrook
|b. 26.2.1936
d. 1999
|Wardell Quezergue
|b. 12.3.1930
d. 6.9.2011
|New Orleans producer, arranger and bandleader sometimes called 'the Creole Beethoven'. He produced many hit songs for the likes of B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and Willie Nelson. For Wardell's obituary click here: Wardell Quezergue
|Steve Race
|b. 1.4.1921
d. 22.6.2009
|Pianist, composer, arranger and broadcaster. Steve Race played with the dance bands of Harry Leader, Lew Stone, Cyril Stapleton and George Elrick but became a key, outspoken presenter of jazz programmes such as Jazz In Perspective, Jazz 625 on television and Jazz Record Requests on radio. He also wrote for many publications including Jazz Journal. Click here for Steve's obituary: Steve Race. A futher obituary from the Times can be found here.
|Johnny Raducanu
Double Bass
|b. 1.12.1931
d. 19.9.2011
|Romanian pianist and double bass player born Raducan Cretu to a Roma family. His mother and grandmother bothe played piano for silent movies. During the communist years he was allowed to tour other Eastern European countries, then Western Europe and the United States where he played with Art Farmer, Slide Hampton and others. In later years, called the 'Romanian Mr Jazz' he was frequently found playing at Lapataria Enache in Bucharest. For Johnny's obituary click here: Johnny Raducanu
|John Rae
|Hugh Rainey
|b. 6.7.1936
|Frankie Randall
|b. 11.1.1938
d. 28.12.2014
|Pianist and singer who was Frank Sinatra's personal pianist as well as recording in his own right. Born in New Jersey, he started playing piano at the age of seven and after graduating with a degree in Psychology, started playing at Jilly's Nightclub. There he met Sinatra in 1964 and Sinatra helped him to record and appear in film. By the early 1970s, Randall was playing in an all-star jazz band in Los Angeles led by Pat Rizzo, who also played saxophone for Sinatra and was part of the Sinatra circle. Frankie's last recording was the 2001 album Right Now that featured a number of arrangements given to him by Sinatra. For Frankie's obituary click here: Frankie Randall.
|Lucky Ranku
|b. 1941
d. 30.10.2016
|Although we cannot link to a specific obituary for Luck Ranku at the moment, our link to the dailysun site gives some details and according to Lucky's Facebook page the renowned guitarist died peacefully at St Anne's Hospice in Manchester, UK. Madumetja Lucky Ranku was born in Pretoria and like Pinise Saul, Lucky was one who transformed the jazz scene in London and worked with many jazz legends like Hugh Masekela, Mara Louw and many others including the late Miriam Makeba. Lucky Ranku.
|Neva Raphaello
|b. 1915
d. 1975
|Valdemar Rasmussen
|Malcolm John Rebennack
|b. 20.11.1941
d. 6.6. 2019
|Better known as 'Dr John'. - American pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter whose music combined blues, jazz, boogie and rock and who became known for his New Orleans and voodoo. He was born in New Orleans in 1941, found inspiration in the minstrel tunes sung by his grandfather and a number of aunts, uncles, sister and cousins who played piano. His father owned an appliance store and record shop which exposed him as a young boy to jazz musicians. Later he began to perform in New Orleans clubs, mainly on guitar, and played on stage with various local artists. He joined the musicians' union at the end of 1957, with the help of Danny Kessler, and then considered himself to be a professional musician. He gained a following in the late 1960s after the release of his album Gris-Gris; won six Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and in 2013 he received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Tulane University. For more about Dr John Click here: Dr John
|Leon Redbone
|b. 26.8.1949
d. 30.5.2019
|born Dickran Gobalian - Cyprus-born Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor specializing in jazz, blues, and pop classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. In concert Redbone often employed comedy and demonstrated his skill in guitar playing. A self-taught musician, he played by ear, sometimes changing the chords of established tunes, never rehearsing with a band, and not following set lists. In one interview clarinetist Dan Levinson said: "I toured with Redbone for 12 years. We used to listen to early Crosby while we were on the road. [Redbone's] taste in music was more eclectic than that of anyone I've ever known -- it included Emmett Miller, Blind Blake, Paganini, Caruso ... Jelly Roll Morton, Ted Lewis, Mongolian throat singers .... and early Bing Crosby". For more about Leon click here: Leon Redbone
|Freddie Redd
|b. 29.5.1928
d. 17.3 2021
|American pianist born in New York City. He began playing the piano at a young age and took to studying jazz seriously when he was 18, after a friend played him a record of "Shaw 'Nuff" by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He went on to play with Tony Grimes, Cootie Williams, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Howard McGhee, Milt Hinton, Charles Mingus and others and in the late 1950s he was invited to compose the music for The Living Theatre's New York stage production of The Connection, which was also used in the subsequent 1961 film. In both play and film he performed as an actor and musician.For more about Freddie Click here: Freddie Redd. Obituaries: New York Times : JazzTimes : Jazz Journal :
|Will Redpath
|Barry Reeves
|b. 1944
d. 2010
|Drummer from Birmingham who probably became best known for his work with the James Last Orchestra, but in 1988 he married singer Madeline Bell and worked with her at many venues, including Ronnie Scott's Club. He finally gave up drumming to become Madeline's manager when he broke his arm. Click here for Barry's obituary: Barry Reeves
|Bill Reid
|Double Bass
b. 19.11.1933
|In the 1950s Bill Reid played double bass (and sometimes tuba) with Terry Lightfoot's New Orleans Jazzmen, with a 17-year-old Ginger Baker on drums for a while, and Ken Colyer, before joining the Alex Welsh Band, one of Britain's best jazz groups of the time. His full obituary in The Telegraph requires you to sign in to a free account with the paper that allows you to read one full article a week- Bill Reid.
|Irene Reid
|b. 23.9.1930
d. 5.1.2008
|Blues/gospel style singer whosang with the Dick Vance band in Harlem and joined the Basie band before forming her own group. Click here for Irene's obituary: Irene Reid.
|Steve Reid
|b. 29.1.1944
d. 13.4.2010
|American drummer whose family lived three blocks away from John Coltrane in New York. Steve played with Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, James Brown, Fela Kuti and Sun Ra amongst others. For more about Steve click here: Steve Reid.
|John Renbourn
|b. 8.8.1944
d. 26.3.2015
|UK guitarist born in London, John was playing banjo at the age of five. At Kingston Art College he became interested in the music of Big Bill Broonzy and other great Blues players but his leaning was towards folk music and opportunities to stretch that with other influences. He teamed up with Bert Jansch and their album Bert and John included a version of Charles Mingus's Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Jam sessions at the Horseshoe in Tottenham Court Road resulted in the formation of Pentangle with singer Jacqui McShee, bass player Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox. 'Their gentle mix of styles couching traditional songs in blues and jazz arrangements struck an immediate chord far beyond the folk world.' For John's obituary click here: John Renbourn
|Don Rendell
|Tenor saxophone
|b. 4.3.1926
d. 20.10.2015
|UK tenor saxophonist who started out with London dance bands before joining with John Dankworth and Tony Crombie to embrace modern jazz. He worked with Ted Heath's band, toured with Stan Kenton and Woody Herman then returned to the UK to work with Graham Bond. In the 1960s, his quintet with trumpeter Ian Carr introduced musicians such as Trevor Tomkins, Michael Garrick and Dave Green. He later played with the BBC Showband, became a session musician, taught at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was still playing gigs in Kent in 2010 until his health deteriorated. For Don's obituary click here: Don Rendell.
|Mike Renzi
|b. 284.1941
d. 28.9.2021
|American pianist and musical director for Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé and Sesame Street as well as playing on recordings with many others including Blossom Dearie, Mark Murphy, Annie Ross and others. For more about Mike click here: Mike Renzi. Obituaries: New York Times : Jazz Times :
|Rita Reys
|b. 21.12.1924
d. 28.7.2013
Dutch singer dubbed 'Europe's first lady of jazz'. She met and married jazz drummer Wessel Ilcken, appeared with the bassist Ted Powder in Belgium and Luxembourg, and with the Piet van Dijk orchestra in Spain and north Africa, between 1945 and 1950. She then led her own group, toured and recorded The Cool Voice of Rita Reys with musicians that included Art Blakey, Horace Silver, and Donald Byrd. In 1969 she became the first Dutch jazz singer to perform at the New Orleans jazz festival. Her last album, Young At Heart included saxophonist Scott Hamilton and was released in 2010. Click here for Rita's obituary: Rita Reys.
|Sue Richardson
|Trumpet player and singer named in Jazz wise magazine as one of the rising musicians to look out for in 2008. Influenced by Chet Baker, Clifford Brown and Ella Fitzgerald amongst others. More about Sue.
|Sam Rivers
|b. 25.9.1923
d. 26.12.2011
|American avante-garde saxophonist who played with Jaki Byard, toured with Billie Holiday, and then with drummer Tony Williams joined Miles Davis, taking John Coltrane's chair. He soon left and recorded under his own name before going on to work with Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1998 he established the Rivbea All-Star Orchestra in Florida. For Sam's obituary click here: Sam Rivers
|Max Roach
|b. 10.1.1924
d. 16.8.2007
|Drummer with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Jay Jay Johnson, Bud Powel, Clifford Brown and Sonny Rollins.Inventive drummer who revolutionised the role of the drums in a band. Click here for Max's obituary
Max Roach
|Peter Robarts-Arnold
|George Roberts
|b. 22.3.1928
d. 28.9.2014
|American trombonist who specialised in playing the bass trombone. Born in Iowa, the musical director of the school big band told him his arms were too short to play the trombone and advised him to take up the clarinet. George insisted on the trombone. Following National Service, he played with the Gene Krupa band and switched to bass trombone when he found he could not compete with Krupa's trombonist, Urbie Green. George turned down an offer to join Stan Kenton and instead became, and stayed, a player with Nelson Riddle. He was featured in many recordings including those with Sinatra and in film scores such as those for Jaws and Days Of Wine And Roses. For George's obituary click here: George Roberts.
|Matana Roberts
|b. 1976
|Amercian saxophone player from Chicago and New York nominated as a 'musician to look out for in 2008' by Jazzwise magazine. More about Matana.
|Frank Robinson
|b. 1926
d. 2011
|UK pianist and founder member of the Merseysippi Jazz Band in 1949. The band performed at the opening of Liverpool's Cavern Club, and also alongside Louis Armstrong at Liverpool Stadium in 1956. Click here for Fran's obituary: Frank Robinson.
|Freddy Robinson
|b. 24.2.1939
d. 8.10.2009
|(aka Abu Talib) Blues guitarist who played with Little Walter and then with Howlin' Wolf - who apparently distrusted Freddy's jazz leanings. In early 70s played with John Mayall and also trumpeter Blue Mitchell. Click here for Freddy's obituary: Freddy Robinson
|Stan Robinson
|b. 13.4.1936
d. 9.4.2017
|English tenor saxophonist and flutist from Lancashire and Manchester who during the 1960s went to London and played with a range of musicians including Allan Ganley, Keith Christie, Ginger Baker, Phil Seaman, Tubby Hayes, Sandy Brown, Humphrey Lyttelton, and many others. He was part of The Animals big band, the Don Rendell Quintet and Maynard Ferguson's big band. Later he toured with Charlie Watts' Orchestra and in the 2000s continued to lead a trio with Geoff Castle and often featured vocalist Frank Holder. For Stan click here: Stan Robinson.
|John Rodber
|Claudio Roditi
|b. 28.5.1946
d. 17.1.2020
|Brazilian jazz trumpeter. He came to America in 1970 to study at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. In 1976 he moved to New York City, where he played with Herbie Mann and Charlie Rouse. In the 1980s he worked with Paquito D'Rivera. He was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra. In 1995, he received a Grammy Award nomination for "Symphonic Bossa Nova" and another in 2010 for Best Latin Jazz Album for Brazilliance X 4. Fpr more about Claudio click here: Claudio Roditi.
|Johnny Rodgers
|d. 3.1.2016
|UK clarinettist who played with the Gambit Jazzmen. Johnny passed away the day before saxophonist Johnny Rodgers and it is easy to confuse the two names, but their jazz styles were different, Johnny Rodgers playing very much in the' traditional style'. Click here for details: Johnny Rodgers.
|Rico Rodriguez
|b. 17.10.1934
d. 4.9.2015
|Trombone player from Cuba and Jamaica who came to the UK and found recognition playing Ska music with The Specials in the late 1970s. He recorded for Island Records combining jazz and reggae music and was a member of Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. For Rico's obituary click here: Rico Rodriguez.
|Mart Roger
b. 9.3.1936
|UK clarinettist and bandleader from Greater Manchester. In the 1950s led the Mart Roger Jazz Aces, the Hounds Of Sound (with John Mayall) and then joined the Zenith Six. Othe bands followed including various groups with Mike Pembroke and Bill Smith. In 1984 Mart formed Mart Roger Manchester Jazz with Pete Staples and with various personnel changes and guests, they toured the UK and abroad. For more about Mart click here: Mart Roger.
|Johnny Rogers
|b. 14.8.1926
d. 4.1.2016
|UK saxophonist from North London who, along with Ronnie Scott and Johnny Dankworth, was a founder member of Club Eleven, pioneers of bebop in the UK. Towards the end of the 1940s he was influenced by bebop whilst playing at a club frequented by American servicemen, and in 1948, he joined 10 others to rent a basement in Windmill Street, Soho, to rehearse and eventually perform for a paying public. While playing with Joe Loss, he met and married a saxophonist with Ivy Benson's band and the two ran a jazz club together in Redcar. Eventually they retired to a small farm in Glaisdale but Johnny went on playing until 1990 when poor health prevented him playing further. For Johnny's obituary click here: Johnny Rogers.
|Nico Rojas
|b. 3.8.1921
d. 22.11.2008
|Cuban guitarist and composer of the 'filin' movement which combined Cuban rhythms with harmonies and melodies influenced by North American jazz in the 1940s and 1950s. Click here for Nico's obituary: Nico Rojas
|Lina Romay
|b. 16.1.1922
d. 17.12.2010
|Wallace Roney
|b. 25.5.1960
d. 31.3.2020
|American hard bop and post bop trumpeter who studied with Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. He was the only trumpet player Davis personally mentored. Wallace played at various times with drummers Tony Willimas and Art Blakey and became one of the most in-demand trumpet players on the professional circuit. He died from complications arising from Covid-19. For more about Wallace click here: Wallace Roney. New York Times obituary.
|Edmundo Ros
|b. 7.12.1910
d. 21.10.2011
|Primarily a popular latin-american bandleader, drummer and saxophonist, his main link to jazz was that he accompanied Fats Waller on the numbers A-Tisket, A-Tasket and Music Maestro Please. For Edmundo's obituary click here: Edmundo Ros.
|Annie Ross
b. 25.7.1930
|Born Annabelle Short in London she moved to America with her family when she was four and then went to live with her aunt in Los Angeles when her family returned to the UK. Under the name of Annie Ross she established her singing career when she left school. She wrote lyrics in 1952 that became known later as 'vocalese' and with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks formed the trio Lambert Hendricks and Ross that recorded and toured widely. In 1964, she opened the club Annie's Room in London and also went on to appear in several films between 1972 and 1994. Her last album was To Lady With Love in 2014. For more about Annie click here: Annie Ross. Obituaries: New York Times : The Telegraph : The Guardian :
|Lita Roza
|b. 14.3.1926
d. 14.8.2008
|Born Lilian Roza in Liverpool, England, she went on to sing with Harry Roy and Ted Heath. Click here for Lita's obituary. Lita Roza.
|Alvin Roy
|b. 1940
|Clarinetist who led the successful Saratoga Jazz Band in many of the most popular jazz venues during the 1960s. Went on to take a residency with his band at the Prospect of Whitby in London. Now lives in Oxfordshire where he plays with his band Reeds Unliminted. More about Alvin.
|Ron Rubin
|b. 8.7.1933
d. 14.4.202
|Ron joined the Fairweather-Brown band in 1962 and left in 1964 to play with a wide variety of bands and many outstanding musicians. More about Ron.
|Pete Rugolo
Baritone Horn
|b. 25.12.1915
d. 16.10.2011
|Born Pietro Rugolo, he learned to play baritone horn but became best known as a jazz composer and arranger who worked closely with Stan Kenton and west Coast musicians. Working as a rep for Capitol Records, her recorded Miles Davis with Gerry Mulligan in a series of records that would lead to 'Cool Jazz'. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete Rugolo
|Otis Rush
|b. 29.4.1934
d. 29.9.2018
|American Blues guitarist and singer born in Mississippi. His style was in the nature of that of Magic Sam and Buddy Guy and his sound became known as West Side Chicago Blues. From 1956 to 1958, he recorded for Cobra Records and released eight singles, some featuring Ike Turner or Jody Williams on guitar .His first single, "I Can't Quit You Baby", in 1956 reached number 6 on the Billboard R&B chart. By the end of the 1970s he had stopped recording but he made a comeback in 1985 with a U.S. tour and the release of a live album, Tops, recorded at the San Francisco Blues Festival. He released Ain't Enough Comin' In in 1994, his first studio album in 16 years. Any Place I'm Goin' followed in 1998, and he earned his first Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1999. For more about Otis click here: Otis Rush.
|George Russell
|b. 23.6.1923
d. 27.7.2009
|Composer who started as a jazz drummer around 1944. Composed and arranged for Dizzy Gillespie and involved musicians such as Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, Jan Garbarek and Andy Sheppard in his work. For George's obituary click here: George Russell
|Pee Wee Russell
|Sandi Russell
|b. 16.1.1946
d. 23.6.2017
|American jazz singer, writer and educator born in New York City and who grew up in Harlem. Inspired by Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, she was also inspired by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and the great divas Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. She gained scholarships to the New York City high school of music and art, where she worked with the composer Leonard Bernsteinand performed at Lincoln Center, then to Syracuse University where, in the first cohort of black students at a previously white university, she was trained to sing the classical western repertoire. After a postgraduate course at Hunter College, New York, Sandi taught for eight years in the tough South Bronx. She became a professional jazz singer at 30, touring with a mixed band in the south. In 1984, Sandi moved to Britain, where she performed at festivals and in London clubs. Her two major albums, Incandescent (2001) and Sweet Thunder (2007), demonstrate her vocal range, rich musicality, emotional commitment and exceptional scat singing. She toured the UK with her one woman show ELLA!, about the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald. For sandi's obituary click here: Sandi Russell.
|Paul Rutherford
|b. 29.2.1940
d. 6.8.2007
|Important figure in the European free improvisation scene. Played with Neil Ardley's New Jazz Orchestra, Mike Westbrook and the London Jazz Composers Orchestra. For obituary click here. Paul Rutherford.
|Pete Saberton
|b. 9.7.1950
d. 21.3.2012
|UK pianist and composer who will be remembered for his teaching at Trinity Laban, Guildhall, Royal Academy and Birmingham Conservatoires, but his career included playing with Pat Crumly, Harry Beckett, Dick Pearce and Mike Westbrook. He played with the BBC Radio Big Band from 1981 to 1993 and was house pianist at the Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott's Club in London at various times. For Pete's obituary click here: Pete Saberton
|Gerry Salisbury
|b. 7.8.1929
d. 9.2.2020
|UK trumpet and bass player born in London who played with Mike Collier's Chicago Rhythm Kings in 1952. Then came periods with Charlie Galbraith, Norman Cave, Bobby Mickleburgh, Jo Daniels, Freddy Randall, Monty Sunshine, Jack Parnell, the Vintage Hot Orchestra, Pete Oxborough and many others including his own bands. Gerry was involved in helping to build the Trident Recording Studios that Sandy Brown had designed and he also founded the East Dereham Jazz Club in Norfolk. Click here for our page about Gerry where you can also listen to some of his music. If ou have memories of Gerry you would like to add to the page please contact us.
|Ira Sabin
|b. 10.8.1928
d. 12.9.2018
|Born in Brooklyn, Ira Sabin was a jazz drummer, promoter, and record store owner who founded JazzTimes magazine. 'Inducted into the army himself in 1952, Sabin spent four years playing in army bands in Japan. Upon returning to Washington in 1956, he became a prolific and popular drummer and bandleader on the local scene. He owned the Washington, D.C., store Sabin's Discount Records, which became the largest jazz record retailer in the United States. The store began distributing a newsletter, Radio Free Jazz, to customers; it evolved into JazzTimes, of which Sabin was publisher until 1990 and owner until 2009. For more about Ira click here: Ira Sabin.
|Carl Salans
|Gerry Salisbury
Double Bass
Valve Trombone
|b. 7.8.1929
|Joe Sample
|b. 1.2.1939
d. 12.9.2014
|American pianist who formed the band the Jazz Crusaders with drummer Nesbert "Stix" Hooper, the tenor saxophonist Wilton Felder and the trombonist Wayne Henderson in the 1960s. Inspired by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers they eventually became known just as The Crusaders and extended their music into 'jazz-funk fusion' and more popular recordings such as Joe Sample's compositions Street Life and One Day I'll Fly Away. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Sample.
|Dave Samuels
|b. 9.10.1948
d. 22.4.2019
|American vibraphone and marimba player. He taught percussion at Berklee before moving to New York City in 1974. Soon he was recording and performing with Gerry Mulligan, Carla Bley, and Gerry Niewood. He played in a vibe/marimba duo with David Friedman before joining the contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra. His recordings and live performances during that period also reflect his prowess on the steelpan. For more about Dave click here: Dave Samuels.
|Pharoah Sanders
|b. 13.10.1940
d. 24.9.2022
|American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", Sanders played a prominent role in the development of free jazz and spiritual jazz through his work as a member of John Coltrane's groups in the mid-1960s, and later through his solo work. Obituaries: Wikipedia : The Guardian : The Telegraph : Washington Post :
|Ray Santos
b. 28.12.1928
|American Grammy Award-winning Latin musician born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. He attended the Juilliard School of Music where he studied saxophone. Santos played and arranged for such artists as Noro Morales, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, and Tito Puente among many others. Raised in East Harlem and The Bronx, Santos went on to teach at the City College of New York for over 20 years, directing the Latin Band. He retired from City College in December 2013 at the age of 84 but continued to stay active in Latin Music.He was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003 and received the Latin Grammy Trustees Award in 2011.Santos served as music consultant and arranger for the soundtrack of the motion picture The Mambo Kings. Click here for more about Ray: Ray Santos
|Bernardo Sassetti
|b. 24.6.1970
d. 10.5.2012
Portuguese pianist of post-bop style who was born in Lisbon but settled in London in 1990. He recorded with Guy Barker and was in the film The talented Mr Ripley. He was 41. Click here for obituary where you can also find a video of him playing.
|Pinise Saul
|b. 31.12.1944
d. 26.10.2016
|South African singer from Eastern Cape. In 1975 she toured with the show Ipi Tombi and remained in the UK.In the 1980s, she worked regularly with Dudu Pukwana's groups Assegai, Spear and Zila, and with the guitarist Lucky Madumetja Ranku in the groups Township Express and the African Jazz Allstars. In the 1990s, Saul and Ranku jointly ran the ensemble Township Express (a rare album credited to Saul's leadership, Fishbone, was released in 1998), and in 2009 Saul, with others, formed the exhilarating Township Comets. Saul's last UK gig was at The Ivy House, Peckham, in 2015, as part of the SA-UK season of London concerts. For Pinise's obituary click here: Pinise Saul.
|Gunther Schuller
|French Horn
|b. 22.11.1925
d. 21.6.2015
American composer, orchestral conductor and french horn player who worked with Miles Davis and the MJQ and developed a merge of classical music and jazz he termed the 'Third Stream'. He was the author of two books: Early Jazz (1968) and The Swing Era (1989). For Gunther's obituary click here: Gunther Schuller.
|Coco Schumann
|b. 14.5.1924
d. 28.1.2018
|German jazz guitarist and Holocaust survivor. He became a member of the 'Ghetto Swingers' while transported to Theresienstadt concentration camp at the age of nineteen. Schumann performed as a jazz guitarist, with Marlene Dietrich, Ella Fitzgerald, Helmut Zacharias and others. For more about Coco click here: Coco Schumann.
|Jimmy Scott
|b. 17.7.1925
d. 12.6.2014
American contralto vocalist born in Ohio. He was a featured singer with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, a friend of Billie Holiday and sang with Charlie Parker at Birdland. Problems with recording companies led to his dropping out of the scene for a while, but he was re-discovered in the 1990s, and was signed to sing in a number of films as well as recording a new album that received a Grammy nomination. For Jimmy's obituary click here: Jimmy Scott.
|Johnny Scott
|b. 1.11.1930
|Mike Scott
|Tony Scott
|b. 17.6.1921
d. 28.3.2007
|American born Anthony Sciacca. Influenced by Benny Goodman he played in jam sessions at Minton's with Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, and Ben Webster who took Tony under his wing. Went on to play with Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Click here for Tony's obituary. Tony Scott.
|Gil Scott-Heron
|b. 1.4.1949
d. 27.5.2011
|Born in Chicago, to a Jamaican father, pianist, guitarist and vocalist Gil Scott-Heron was primarily a writer and poet. He described himself as 'A Black man dedicated to expression, expression of the joy and pride of Blackness'. He led the Midnight Band on keyboards, toured with Stevie Wonder and is seen as the forerunner of Rap music. For Gil's obituary click here: Gil Scott-Heron.
|Phil Seamen
|b. 28.8.1926
d. 13.10.1972
|Peggy Seeger
|Archie Semple
|b. 31.3.1928
d. 26.1.1974
|John Semple
|Reg Service
|d. 2011
|UK trumpeter who grew up in Streatham, London. He was one of the few British black musicians who played jazz in the UK before the Second World War. He formed a band with classmates at school in Brixton Hill, went on to work with Ken 'Snake Hips' Johnson, and from the 1970s to 1990s worked with Mike Daniels and Trevor Swale. For Reg's obituary click here: Reg Service.
|Keith Shadwick
|b. 24.7.1951
|Saxophone player who became jazz section editor of Gramophone magazine; a broadcaster; produced a number of reference books; biographies of Bill Evans, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin, and wrote for Jazzwise magazine since 1997. His solo album 'Free Time' (Candid) was just finished before he died. Click here for Keith's obituary. Keith Shadwick.
|Bud Shank
|b. 27.5.1926
d. 2.4.2009
|Clarinet, flute and alto-sax player with Stan Kenton's band and later with the Lighhouse All Stars. Clich here for Bud's obituary: Bud Shank.
|Ralph Sharon
|b. 17.9.1923
d. 31.3.2015
|Pianist born in the UK who played with the Ted Heath and Frank Wier bands and had his own recording and broadcasting sextet. He emigrated to America in 1953 where he became Tony Bennett's accompanist. From 1966 to 1979 he moved to Los Angeles where he accompanied other singers including Nancy Wilson and Rosemary Clooney until he eventually returned to work with Tony Bennett. He finally retired to Colorado but continued to play in the local jazz scene until shortly before his death. For Ralph's obituary click here: Ralph Sharon.
|Charles Bobo Shaw
b. 5.9.1947
|American avant-garde jazz drummer who helped found the Black Artists' Group in 1968, a do-it-yourself cooperative of musicians, visual artists, writers, dancers and actors in St. Louis, it lasted until 1972. Bobo Shaw led a changing lineup of his Human Arts Ensemble during the 1970s and '80s. He also performed and recorded with Mr. Lake, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, Lester Bowie, Frank Lowe, Billy Bang and others. His discography consists of some two dozen albums as leader and sideman. For Bobo's obituary click here: Bobo Shaw.
|George Shearing
|b. 13.8.1919
d. 14.2.2011
|Pianist, bandleader and composer Sir George Shearing was born in Battersea but emigrated to the United States where he played for many singers including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson and Mel Tormé. He claimed that he was 'not a jazz pianist but a pianist who played jazz'. He formed his own famous Quintet in 1949 and was the compopser of 'Lullaby of Birdland'. He was made an OBE in 1996 and Knighted in 2007. For George's obituary click here: Sir George Shearing
|Norman Sheffield
|Jack Sheldon
b. 30.11.1931
|American bebop and West Coast jazz trumpeter, singer, and actor born in Florida. He was the music director on The Merv Griffin Show, as well as the voice heard on several episodes of the educational music television series Schoolhouse Rock! He was a key figure in the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s, performing and recording with such figures as Stan Kenton, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and Curtis Counce. For more about Jack click here: Jack Sheldon.
|Dave Shepherd
|b. 7.2. 1929
d. 15.12.2016
|Popular UK clarinettist born in Walthamstow, London. He took up the clarinet at 15 and was soon playing with Freddy Randall. He fronted his own band after returning from National Service, joined Joe Daniels and his Hot Shots in 1951, went to New York for a year before returning to play with the Jazz Today Unit. He was part of the Dill Jones Quartet and made numerous broadcasts on BBC Radio with his own Quartet. In 1980, Dave was recruited by the impresario Peter Boizot as a founder member and leader of the PizzaExpress All Stars in Dean Street, Soho. Eventually moving to Hampshire, he continued playing with the All-Stars until 2001, while fitting in dates with Digby Fairweather's Great British Jazz Band and playing solo gigs. For Dave's obituary click here: Dave Shepherd.
|John Sheridan
|b. 20.1.1946
d. 24.8.2021
|American pianist and arranger born in Columbus, Ohio. Having received a Master of Music degree from the North Texas State University, he joined the Jim Cullum Jazz Band as an arranger and performer. In 2002 Sheridan left the band and has been doing freelance work, also recording for the Arbors Records jazz record label. In 2011, he returned to the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. Obituary: Wikipedia: Syncopated Times : Jazz Lives :
|Horace Silver
|b. 2.9.1928
d. 18.6.2014
American pianist, saxophonist and pioneer of hard bop. His family were Portuguese emigrants to Connecticut. Horace Silver played with many jazz musicians during his career including Art Blakey and Oscar Pettiford. His work also appeared on a number of Miles Davis' albums, including 1954's Walkin'. For more about Horace click here: Horace Silver.
|Sid Simmons
|d. 5.11.2010
|Pianist from Philadelphia. 'He combined the class of Bill Evans with the soul and hard-hitting style of Oscar Peterson.. and along with being a fine musician and a mentor to many other pianists, as well as an influence on other instrumentalists.' For Sid's obituary click here: Sid Simmons.
|Martin Simons
|d. 2016
|Information needed. Please contact us.
|Ken Sims
|b. 31.10.1935
d. 29.3.2017
|UK trumpet player born on Merseyside. His father played jazz piano and Ken began playing at the age of five. Ken started to play cornet and then his father bought him a trumpet. He joined the Freddie Rae Dixielanders, was hired at Cy Laurie's Club and began playing for Acker Bilk in 1957. He formed a band with Ian Wheeler that became the Ken Sims Vintage Jazz Band and then joined Terry Lightfoot in 1964. After a period in Germany he returned to form the Ken Sims Dixie Kings but he also played with a number of other ensembles. For Ken's obituary click here: Ken Sims.
|Frank Sinatra Jr
|b. 10.1.1944
d 16.3.2016
|The son of Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Frank Jr. followed in his father's footsteps as a singer never gaining the fame of his famous dad despite singing with the tribute Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His main recognition seems to have come from his kidnapping for ransom early in his life. Frank Jr. passed unexpectedly while on tour in Florida. He is quoted as saying: "Since my father's death a lot of people have made it clear that they're not ready to give up the music," Sinatra Jr said in 2002. "For me it's a big, fat gift. I get to sing with a big orchestra and get to sing orchestrations that will never be old." Click here for Frank Jr's obituary: Frank Sinatra Jr
|Lil' Buck Sinegal
b. 14.1.1944
|American blues and zydeco guitarist and singer born in Louisiana. He worked with musicians such as Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester; recorded with Rockin' Dopsie, Katie Webster and Lil' Bob; joined Clifton Chenier's band and founded the Cowboy Stew Blues Revue with C. C. Adcock. In 1999, Senegal released the album The Buck Starts Here, featuring songs predominantly written and produced by Allen Toussaint. More information here.
|Hal Singer
|b. 8.10.1919
d. 18.8.2020
|also known as Hal "Cornbread" Singer, was an American jazz bandleader and saxophonist. He was the last surviving male survivor of the Tulsa race massacre that took place when he was 2 years old. He played with Jay McShann, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Earl Hines and others as well as recording in the R&B charts. A documentary film, Hal Singer, Keep the Music Going, was made by Haitian-American director Guetty Felin in 1999. For more about Hal click here: Hal Singer. Obituaries: New York Times : The Guardian :
|Nick Singer
|d. 27.11.2019
|Colchester Jazz Club says 'Nick has probably played in every traditional jazz band that has existed in London over the last fifty years. He combines his strumming with the odd unique vocal. Nick and Bob Dwyer first met playing in the Kenny Robinson band in 1960. He joined Bob Dwyer's Hot Seven in September 2005. Nick also played in the Frog Island Jazz Band, the Yerba Buena Celebration Band and Doolally Tap. Nick was also a retired director of Shadow Robot Company 'one of the longest running robotics companies in the UK, developing dexterous robotics manipulation technologies ('hands for robots') and using them to solve real world problems. We have produced the world's finest anthropomorphic dexterous robotic hand...'. Click here for more about Nick: Nick Singer
|Sirone (Norris Jones)
|Double Bass
|b. 28.9.1940
d. 21.10.2009
|American double bass player and founder member of the Revolutionary Ensemble who explored a freer and intuative approach to playing. For Sirone's obituary click here: Sirone.
|Len Skeat
|Double Bass
|b. 9.2.1937
d. 9.3.2021
|UK double bass player and brother of saxophonist Bill Skeat. Len was born in London's East End, played with Ted Heath's band, the band Velvet, and the Eddie Thompson Trio. He recorded with many jazz musicians including Mel Tormé, Ben Webster, Billy Echstine, Lionel Hampton, Harry Edison, Digby Fairweather Bill Watrous and others. Mike Durrell tells us that Len died from sudden heart failure while in hospital for a check-up (he had long on-going heart problems). For more about Len click here: Len Skeat.
|Jarosław (Jarek) Śmietana
|b. 29.3.1953
d. 2.9.2013
|Polish guitarist, composer and teacher who led the legendary jazz group Extra Ball. He went on to lead and play with the bands Sounds, Symphonic Sound Orchestra Big Band, Polish Jazz Stars Band (with most of the top jazz musicans from Poland) and was a co-leader of the Namysłowski-Śmietana Quartet. During his career he played with a vast number of musicians including During his musical career he has been playing and recording together with such great artists: Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Zawinul, John Abercrombie, David Gilmore and Dave Friedman. He recently toured with Nigel Kennedy. For more about Jarek click here: Jarosław (Jarek) Śmietana.
|Betty Smith
|b. 6.7.1929
d. 21.1.2011
|UK tenor sax player who joined Ivy Benson's band and then played with Freddy Randall before forming her own Quintet. She then worked with Kenny Baker and in the early 70s was a founder-member of the sextet Best Of British Jazz. For Betty's obituary click here: Betty Smith
|Bill Smith
|b. 22.9.1926
d. 29.2.2020
|American clarinettist and composer who worked in several fields - classical music, Third Stream and jazz. He played with pianist Dave Brubeck intermittently from the 1940s to the early 2000s. He frequently recorded jazz under the name Bill Smith, but his classical compositions are credited under the name William O. Smith. Bill studied at the Juilliard School of Music, played in New York jazz clubs like Kelly's Stables at night, then leaving Juilliard he returned to California upon hearing and admiring the music of Darius Milhaud, who was then teaching at Mills College in Oakland. At Mills, he met pianist Dave Brubeck, with whom he often played until Brubeck's death in 2012. Smith was a member of the Dave Brubeck Octet, and later occasionally subbed for saxophonist Paul Desmond in the Dave Brubeck Quartet. For more about Bill click here: Bill Smith.
|Carrie Smith
|b. 25.8.1925
d. 20.5.2012
Jazz and Blues singer who was born in Georgia but grew up in New Jersey where her father was a minister, her mother sang in the choir and gospel music was a part of her life. Moving to New Orleans she sang with Al Hirt, then moved to New York and performed with Tyree Glenn, Hank Jones and Buddy Tate. She had appeared at Ronnie Scott's club in London on a number of occasions and made her last UK appearance at the Brecon Jazz Festival in 1997. For Carrie's obituary click here: Carrie Smith.
|Daniel Smith
|b. 1938
d. 19.12.2015
|American musician who, unusually, played jazz bassoon. Described as 'the Gerry Mulligan of the bassoon', Daniel was born in the Bronx and studied music at Manhattan School of Music, Columbia University and The Mannes College of Music. During his early twenties he played the saxophone with several Big Bands including The Cab Calloway Orchestra and others. He has recorded numerous discs, with repertoire ranging from Baroque concerti to contemporary music, including jazz with a quartet under his own leadership, ragtime, and crossover. For Daniel's obituary click here: Daniel Smith
|Derek Smith
|b. 17.8.1931
d. 19.8.2016
|UK born pianist who played with John Dankworth and Kenny Baker and then, in 1957, moved to the United States.He was befriended by the MJQ's John Lewis and recorded with Percy Heath and Connie Kay; accompanied singer Mel Tormé; worked with Benny Goodman and then became resident pianist on NBC's Tonight Show where he accompanied many top singers. He also had his own trio. For Derek's obituary click here: Derek Smith.
|Don Smith
|d. 12.5.2022
Our thanks to Keith Wicks who noticed that UK bass and sousaphone player Don Smith passed through the Departure Lounge on 12th May 2022. Don started playing bass in 1951 when he was in the RAF and afterwards, in 1953, joined the Phoenix Jazz Band which was formed from half of the Crane River Band. From 1956 Don was with the Mike Daniels Delta Jazzmen. In late 1954, Don joined Sandy Brown's band for a recording of Shortnin' Bread at the BBC studios that, as far as we know, was never released. Don became a well-respected staff photographer for the Radio Times magazine where tribute to him is paid here. As yet, we have no other link to obituaries for Don.
|Donald Smith
b. 4.9.1943
|American pianist, flautist and vocalist born in Virginia. His father Lonnie Liston Smith Sr. was a member of the famous gospel group the Harmonizing Four and his older brother, the funk/jazz keyboardist and composer Lonnie Liston Smith. Donald played with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Jackie McLean, Archie Shepp and many others. Obituaries: : Amsterdam News :
|Harry Smith
|b. 24.2.1921
|Johnny Smith
|b. 25.6.1922
d. 11.6.2013
|American guitarist born in Alabama but who moved to Maine with his family during the Depression. Taught himself to play violin and guitar and learned jazz by listening on the radio to Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Worked as a staff musician, in pit bands and clubs before working with Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Stan Kenton and Count Basie, and played with his own band at Birdland. For Johnny's obituary click here: Johnny Smith
|Keely Smith
|b. 9.3.1928
d. 16.12.2017
|American singer born Dorothy Keely in Norfolk, Virginia who started out with Louis Prima's band. She was married to Prima until 1961. When they played Chicago in 1959, the critic Will Leonard wrote in The Chicago Tribune: "Louis Prima and Keely Smith may not put on the most aesthetic show in town. But, man, they put on the swingingest." Keely had already begun a solo career during their marriage when she recorded the album I Wish You Love arranged by Nelson Riddle. She developed her solo career after her divorce from Louis, although it was interrupted for a period to raise her daughters. Sinatra signed her to his label, Reprise Records, and they recorded the duet So In Love in 1963, also arranged by Nelson Riddle. For Keely's obituary click here: Keely Smith.
|Keith Smith
|b. 19.3.1940
d. 4.1.2008
|Trumpeter with amateur bands in London in 1950s. Turned professional with Mickey Ashman in 1960. Formed his Climax Jazz Band in 1962. Moved to New Orleans and then to Denmark before returning to Britain to form Hefty Jazz. Led Louis Armstrong All Stars in 1981. Recorded with Sandy Brown in 1969. Click here for Keith's obituary: Keith Smith
|Dr Lonnie Smith
|Hammond organ
|b. 3.7.1942
d. 28.9.2021
|American jazz Hammond B3 organist born in New York who was a member of the George Benson quartet in the 1960s. He recorded albums with saxophonist Lou Donaldson for Blue Note before being signed as a solo act. He owned the label Pilgrimage. Smith toured the northeastern United States heavily during the 1970s concentrating largely on smaller neighborhood venues during this period. He performed at several prominent jazz festivals with artists including Grover Washington Jr., Ron Carter, Dizzy Gillespie and Santana, amongst others. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Blue Note : Rolling Stone :
|Paul Smith
d. 29.6.2013
|American pianist who played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and recorded with his own band but is probably best known as the accompanist for many jazz singers including Sarah Vaughan, Bing Crosby and most of all, Ella Fitzgerald who he accompanied on and off from 1956 to 1996. For Paul's obituary click here: Paul Smith.
|Ray Smith
|b. 9.9.1934
d. 17.4.2011
|Drummer and proprietor of Ray's Jazz record shop in Soho. Ray played drums with Wally Fawkes band in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1983 he took over the jazz record business from Collett's and eventually sold it to Foyles in 2002. Click here for ray's obituary: Ray Smith
|Viola Smith
|American drummer born Viola Schmitz in Wisconsin and best known for her work in orchestras, swing bands, and popular music from the 1920s until 1975. She was one of the first professional female drummers. She played five times on The Ed Sullivan Show, as well as in two films and the Broadway musical Cabaret. In 1942 she wrote an article for Down Beat magazine titled "Give Girl Musicians a Break!" in which she argued that woman musicians could play just as well as men. She argued, "In these times of national emergency, many of the star instrumentalists of the big name bands are being drafted. Instead of replacing them with what may be mediocre talent, why not let some of the great girl musicians of the country take their place?''. She performed with Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb and was called the "female Gene Krupa" and the "fastest girl drummer." Viola performed at president Harry Truman's inauguration in 1949. She played with the Hour of Charm orchestra until 1954 and after Hour of Charm disbanded, led her own band, Viola and her Seventeen Drums. For more about Viola click here: Viola Smith. Obituaries: The Guardian : New York Times :
|Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith
|b. 19.1.1936
d. 16.9.2011
|American drummer and bandleader best known for his work with the Muddy Waters band. He worked as a session musician with many blues and soul bands and formed the Legendary Blues Band with Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones and Jerry Portnoy. He was named Drummer Of The Year on many occasions by the Blues Foundation, and in later life he reverted to playing the harmonica. In 2010 he released Joined At The Hip with Pinetop Perkins and with his son Kenny 'Beady Eyes' Smith on drums. For Willie's obituary click here: Willie Smith
Little Smokey Smothers
|b. 2.1.1939
d. 20.11.2010
|American blues guitarist from Mississippi who was part of Howlin' Wolf's band and who sat in with Muddy waters. He was influential in the Chicago Blues scene of the 1960s and brought together the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. For Smokey's obituary click here: Little Smokey Smothers.
|Raul de Souza
b. 23.8.1934
|Brazilian trombonist also known as Raulzinho who recorded with Sérgio Mendes, Sonny Rollins, Hermeto Pascoal, Cal Tjader and the jazz/fusion band Caldera. Born in Rio de Janeiro, his first recordings were mainly in the disco/funk genre. He went on to play at many jazz festivals and Colors, his earlier album for Milestone, is available on CD as part of the Original Jazz Classics series. For more about Raul click here: Raul de Souza.
|Jo Stafford
|b. 12.11.1917
d. 16.7.2008
|Columbia Records vocalist who was the first woman to top the UK charts with her single 'You Belong To Me'. She sang with Tommy Dorsey's band before moving on to make popular recordings, often in duet with other singers such as Frankie Laine and Gordon MacRae. For Jo's obituary click here: Jo Stafford
|Tomasz Stańko
|b 11.7.1942
d. 29.7.2018
|Polish trumpeter, composer and improviser. He came to prominence in the early 1960s and went on to establish a reputation as a leading figure not only in Poland but across the world. He worked with many top musicians including Jack De Johnette, Dave Holland, Rufus Reid and was a member of Cecil Taylor's Big Band. During the 1980s, he travelled to India and recorded solo work in the Taj Mahal, and also led various groups of his own. In 1993, Stańko formed a new quartet composed of the then 16-year-old drummer Michał Miśkiewicz, along with Miśkiewicz's two friends, pianist Marcin Wasilewski and bassist Sławomir Kurkiewicz. That same year he also formed an international quartet that included Bobo Stenson, Tony Oxley and Anders Jormin. Derek Richardson, writing for the San Francisco Chronicle said, "Tomasz Stanko is not the first jazz musician to negotiate a rapprochement between gorgeous melodies and free improvisation. But he is one of the most eloquent proponents of extemporaneous lyricism working today." For Tomasz's obituary click here: Tomasz Stańko.
|Kay Starr
|b. 21.7.1922
d. 3.11.2016
|American vocalist born Katherine Starks in Oklahoma. When the family moved to Memphis she broadcast on WREC and where she was noticed by Joe Venuti who booked her as a singer and recommende her to Bob Crosby. She worked with Glenn Miller and made her first recordings with him and then moved back to work with Venuti, then Wingy Manone before signing up with Charlie Barnet and recording with names like Coleman Hawkins, Nat Cole and Benny Carter. Eventually she moved into recording pop and jazz-influenced pop albums. For Kay's obituary click here: Kay Starr.
|Fred Stead
|d. 2014
|Norman Grodentz writes: 'Just had sad news that my old friend Fred Stead has died. He was a New Orleans drummer in the old style, his favourite being Sammy Penn of Kid Thomas' band and he played for Brian Carrick for a while. He took up guitar and when he heard me sit in as a novice clarinettist suggested we got together. This ended up as a regular Saturday afternoon session for over ten years having fun and progressing musically on our level until he got too ill.' The funeral was on Monday 11th August at Golders Green Crematorium'. (We have no obituary for Fred).
|Jeremy Steig
b. 23.9.1942
|American flute player who released his first album Flute Fever in 1963 at the age of twenty-one. In Greenwich Village in the late 1960s he began to combine his jazz with rock music and became leader of one of the first jazz rock bands, 'Jeremy and the Satyrs' "We decided that we'd invented jazz-rock," Mr. Steig later recalled. "Of course, there were about 50 other people who had come to the same conclusion." In the animated feature "Shrek Forever After" (2010), the fourth in the series of revisionist fairy-tale adventures based on his father's creation, Mr. Steig provided the music played onscreen by the Pied Piper. He recorded with pianist Bill Evans and others. For Jeremy's obituary click here: Jeremy Steig.
|Dave Stevens
|b. 26.7.1925
d. 20.5.2019
|UK pianist David Stevens was born in Leicester and first played with John Haim's Jelly Roll Kings in 1948. He joined Beryl Bryden's Backroom Boys a year later, then worked with Dick Hawdon, Mick Mulligan and with other bands during the 1950s. He worked regularly with Sandy Brown in 1956 and can be heard on the album Sandy's Sidemen. He was with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated at the same time as Mick Jagger before emigrating to Australia in 1964 where he played with various bands, touring Britain and the USA with the New Wolverines in 1993. Dave presented a jazz programme on Australian Radio and for a while 'twinned' with Mike Whitaker from 10 Radio in the UK. Dave suffered a heart attack on 20th May 2019.
|Sonny Stitt
|b. 2.2.1924
d. 22.7.1982
|American be-bop jazz saxophonist. Played with Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine and Miles Davis. For more about Sonny click here or to see and hear him click here.
|Kathy Stobart
|b. 1.4.1925
d. 6.7.2014
|UK saxophonist who by 14 was playing with Don Rico's Ladies' Swing Band. During the 1940s in London she played alongside Art Pepper and Peanuts Hucko as well as broadcasting with the British AEF Big Band. After the War, she played with Art Thompson, Vic Lewis and Ted Heath and started her own band until she retired to bring up her family. In 1957, she was back deputising in Humphrey Lyttelton's band, returning as his regular saxophonist from 1969 to 1978. Teaching, she influenced a new generation of musicians including Orphy Robinson and Deirdre Cartwright. Her own groups broadcast on the BBC until 1985 when she moved to Devon and set up a student band in Exeter. She continued to play with Humph's band into the 1990s. For Kathy's obituary click here: Kathy Stobart.
|Bill Strachan
|Richard (Dick) Sudhalter
|b. 28.12.1938
d. 19.9.2008
|American cornet player who modelled his playing on Bix Beiderbecke. Worked for United Press International and wrote a controversial book extolling the white contribution to early jazz and also a biography of Bix. Formed the New Paul Whiteman Orchestra in London with Alan Cohen, Keith Nicholls and John R.T. Davies. Click here for obituary: Dick Sudhalter.
|Stan Sulzman
|b. 30.11.1948
|Monty Sunshine
|b. 9.4.1928
d. 30.11.2010
|UK clarinet player who was at the forefront of the traditional jazz boom of the late 1950s / early 1960s. He first joined Ken Colyer's Crane River Jazz Band before joining Chris Barber and Pat Halcox in Chris's band. Monty had a number of 'hit' recordings including Si Tu Vois Ma Mère and perhaps the most well known million-seller Petite Fleur. Monty was still recording in the 1990s. For Monty's obituary click here: Monty Sunshine.
|Alan Sutton
|Esbjorn Svensson
|b. 16.4.1964
d. 14.6.2008
|Born in Sweden, Esbjorn's father revered Duke Ellington. The pianist formed the group e.s.t. (Esbjorn Svensson Trio) which drew inspiration from Bach and the baroque, ambient music, rock and techno. For Esbjorn's obituary click here: Esbjorn Svensson
|Ward Swingle
|b. 21.9.1927
d. 19.1.2015
|American vocalist who founded The Swingle Singers, an easy-listening group that sang jazz influenced Bach in the 1960s and 1970s. Ward Swingle was born in Mobile Alabama. He studied music in Cincinatti, travelled to France and worked with Blossom Dearie's Les Blues Stars and then Mimi Perrin's Les Double Six, which won acclaim for its electronic treatment of jazz standards. By 1962 the eight-member group was performing in public as Les Swingle Singers. By the early 1970s Swingle wanted to experiment with other techniques, including closed-mic singing. Crossing the Channel in 1973 he set up Swingle II, or the New Swingle Singers. The traditional swing music remained, but listeners were now regaled with jazz renditions from a wider selection of musical traditions, ranging from baroque to big band. For Ward's obituary click here: Ward Swingle.
|Freddy Syer
|b. 1930
d. 2010
|UK alto saxophonist who was part of the post-War bebop scene in London and went to Canada where he played with a number of well-known jazz musicians. Returning to the UK he played with Geraldo and Tommy Sampson before returning to live in America. For Freddy's obituary click here: Freddy Syer
|Madilu System
|b. 28.5.1952
d. 11.8.2007
|Born Jean de Dieu Makiese in the now Democratic Republic of Congo, he was a star vocalist with TPOK Jazz (The All-Powerful Kinshasa Orchestra) and spearheaded the 1960-1980s craze for Rumba Congolaise music. Click here for Madilu's obituary. Madilu System.
|Grady Tate
d. 8.10.2017
|American jazz drummer and singer born in North Carolina. At thirteen he was mesmerised by the playing of Jo Jones. The story goes that afterwards, Jones invited him onto the stage and asked if he had brought his drumsticks with him. "No, sir," Mr. Tate said, and Mr. Jones offered his own pair but whacked one of his hands with them. "That's just a tiny bit of the pain that you're going to get," Mr. Jones said, "if you're gonna pick these damn things up and use 'em." He went on to work with Wild Bill Davis, Quincy Jones, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and became one of the busiest sidemen in jazz, recording with stars like Jimmy Smith, Stan Getz, Clark Terry and Billy Taylor. For Grady's obituary click here: Grady Tate.
|Graham Tayar
|b. 5.8.1933
d. 22.4.2016
|UK pianist who led the Crouch End All Stars with with John Keen (trumpet), Ken Blakemore (trombone), Graham Tayar (piano), Hilary Graham (banjo), Don Smith (bass), Ken Pring (drums) and Ian Christie on clarinet. Ian took over from Wally Fawkes who had played with the All Stars for seven years. Graham told me about setting up the jazz club at New Merlin's Cave not far from London's Kings Cross Station (click here for our page on New Merlin's Cave where there is a picture of Graham at the club standing by the bar). Graham's funeral was on Friday 6th May midday at Golders Green Crematorium, followed by a celebration in the Bull & Gate pub in Kentish Town.
|Dr Billy Taylor
|b. 24.7.1921
|American pianist and composer who played with Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and others but probably as well known for his work as an advocate for jazz, as a broadcaster and educator. A friend said Billy Taylor was 'one of our best spokesmen ever in the history of this music. To the point that, it's my feeling and others, that he sacrificed his jazz piano playing for the cause of jazz.' Click here for Billy's obituary: Dr Billy Taylor.
|Cecil Taylor
| b. 15.3.1929
d. 5.4.2018
|Classically trained legendary American pianist raised in New York City who was one of the pioneers of Free Jazz. Bartók and Stockhausen influenced his music. Interested in dance, he collaborated with dancer Dianne McIntyre in the late 70s and early 80s and in 1979 he also composed and played the music for a twelve-minute ballet "Tetra Stomp: Eatin' Rain in Space". Taylor was a poet, citing Robert Duncan, Charles Olson and Amiri Baraka as major influences. He often integrated his poems into his musical performances, and they frequently appear in the liner notes of his albums. The CD Chinampas, released by Leo Records in 1987, is a recording of Taylor reciting several of his poems, accompanying himself on percussion. For more about Cecil click here: Cecil Taylor.
|Eddie Taylor
|b. 12.2.1929
|John Taylor
|b. 25.9.1942
d. 17.7.2015
|UK jazz pianist who in the 1960s and 1970s worked with Alan Skidmore, John Surman, Ronnie Scott and Cleo Laine. Together with his then wife, singer Norma Winstone, they formed the band Azimuth with Kenny Wheeler. He taught at the Music Academy in Cologne where he also recorded for the ECM label and taught jazz at York University from 2005. In 2002, he led a new trio to tour in the UK and teamed up with the Creative Jazz Orchestra and he won a BBC Jazz award for for "Best New Work" for his Green Man Suite, inspired by the romantic and archaeological landscape of Britain. John was performing at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in Segré, France, on July 17 when he suffered a heart attack. He died later in hospital. For John's obituary click here: John Taylor.
|Koko Taylor
|Blues singer
|b. 28.9.1928
d. 3.6.2009
|Born Cora Walton in Tennessee, blues singer Koko Taylor was called 'The Queen of the Blues' and 'brought a raw intensity and Southern earthiness' to the Chicago blues scene. For Koko's obituary click here: Koko Taylor
|John Tchicai
|b. 28.4.1936
d. 18.10.2012
|Danish saxophonist inspired by Ornette Coleman who played with both John Lennon and John Coltrane. He also worked with American free-jazz stars such as Archie Shepp, Albert Ayler and Cecil Taylor. For John's obituary click here: John Tchicai.
|Joe Temperley
Bass Clarinet
|b. 20.9.1929
d. 11.5.2016
|Scottish baritone saxophonist from Fife who started by playing in Glasgow dance bands. He joined Humphrey Lyttelton as a tenor saxophonist and it was Humph who suggested he change to baritone sax. Joe then moved to America where he played with Woody Herman, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis and in the Ellington legacy band after his hero Harry Carney died. In 1991, he joined Wynton Marsalis's Jazz At The Lincoln Center. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Temperley.
|Nat Temple
|b. 18.7.1913
d. 30.5.2008
|Clarinet player and band leader who came to prominence on the radio during the 1940s and 1950s. Played with the Sam Costa and Harry Roy bands and formed his own band in 1947. For Nat's obituary click here: Nat Temple
|Clark Terry
|b. 14.12.1920
d. 21.2.2015
|Legendary American trumpeter born in St Louis, Missouri, who worked with Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and others as well as leading his own groups. Although right-handed, he taught himself to manipulate the valves with his left hand too, and could even play the trumpet upside down with the backs of the fingers of either hand. A close friend of Miles Davis, it was Clark Terry who introduced Miles to the flugelhorn. For Clark's obituary click here: Clark Terry.
|'Toots' Thielmans
|b. 29.4.1922
d. 22.8.2016
|Belgian legendary jazz harmonica player born Jean Baptiste Thielemans. He recorded with some of the most famous – and technically demanding – jazz musicians, including Jaco Pastorius, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Fred Hersch, Quincy Jones and Pat Metheny as well as many pop recording artists. His harmonica is featured on the soundtrack to the film Midnight Cowboy. He retired in 2014 due to ill health. Click here for more about Toots on our Harmonica Jazz page. For Toots's obituary click here: Toots Thielmans.
|Ed Thigpen
|b. 28.12.1930
d. 13.1.2010
|American drummer from Chicago who played with Oscar Peterson and Billy Taylor. After touring with Ella Fitzgerald he moved to Denmark in 1972. Click here for more information: Ed Thigpen
|Alan Thomas
|b. 2.4.1930
d. 23.9.2013
|Dr John Latham tells us that Alan Thomas, pianist with the Sandy Brown and Cy Laurie bands has passed through the Departure Lounge. Alan had retired to Portugal which is where he died at the age of 83 on the 23rd September. Alan played with Sandy from 1954 to 1956 when Sandy and Al Fairweather had moved to London and he played on many of the band's early classic recordings including Everybody Loves Saturday Night, Something Blues, African Queen and Blues Stampede. These were the days when the band had John R.T. Davies on trombone and Graham Burbidge on drums. Ian Armit went on to take over the piano chair when Alan left. We have not been able to find an obituary for Alan, so please contact us if you can let us have any information about him from the time he left Sandy. Click here for the information we do have: Alan Thomas.
|Barbara Thompson M.B.E.
|b. 27.7.1944
d. 9.7.2022
UK saxophonist born in Oxford. Barbara studied saxophone and classical composition at the Royal College of Music, but she developed an interest in jazz and went on to make prolific recording appearances with a wide variety of musicians including Neil Ardley, Manfred Mann, The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, and her own bands Jubiaba and Paraphernalia. She was awarded the MBE in 1996 for services to music. Barbara was closely involved with Andrew Lloyd Webber on his musicals Cats, Starlight Express and his album Variations. Obituaries: Wikipedia : The Times : The Telegraph :
|'Sir' Charles Thompson
|b. 21.3.1918
d. 16.6.2016
|American pianist born in Ohio originally working with various dance bands during the 1930s and began to make his name as an arranger - he would eventually arrange for Jimmy Dorsey and Count Basie. He joined Lionel Hampton's band before moving to Café Society in New York to play with Lester and Lee Young - it was Lester who christened him 'Sir'. He was also playing with Lucky Millinder, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and Illinois Jacquet. 'Impresario John Hammond ... persuaded the Vanguard label to record such swing stars as the trombonist Vic Dickenson and the cornetist Ruby Braff, with Thompson alongside, a new movement christened "mainstream" by the British critic Stanley Dance took wing, and was seen as the antidote to the prevailing orthodoxies of bebop.' For Sir Charles's obituary click here: Sir Charles Thompson.
|Danny Ray Thompson
|b. 1.10.1947
d. 12.3.2020
|American baritone saxophonist who played with the Sun Ra Arkestra and managed the band for a period of time. He attended night classes at Juilliard School of Music and his first concert was with Babatunde Olatunji. After meeting Marshall Allen, Danny was introduced to Sun Ra. The first Arkestra album Thompson appeared on was 1967's Atlantis. He made his first live appearance with the Arkestra in April, 1968 at Carnegie Hall. For more about Danny Ray click here: Danny Ray Thompson.
|Keith Tippett
|b. 25.8.1947
d. 14.6.2020
|UK pianist and composer born Keith Tippetts in Bristol and a lovely man.. 'He was a genius as a solo piano improviser, his unaccompanied concerts consisting of dazzling collages of chords that coalesced into blues, mysterious patterings like somebody tearing paper in waltz-time, romantic arpeggios and thundering bass-note trills.' His friend, Steve Day, told me a little known fact: "One of Keith's favourite pieces of music was Kenny Ball's Midnight In Moscow. He'd often mention it to me as a very early influence.... and I know he still occasionally listened to it." For more about Keith click here: Keith Tippett. Obituaries: The Guardian : The Telegraph :
|Louise Tobin
|b. 11.11.1918
d. 26.11.2022
|American vocalist born in Texas. She sang with the bands of Benny Goodman, Bobby Hackett and Will Bradley and introduced I Didn't Know What Time It Was with the Goodman Orchestra where her greatest hit was There'll Be Some Changes Made. She married Harry James and then later Peanuts Hucko. Obituaries: Wikipedia: New York Times :
|Ole Toft
|Isao Tomita
|b. 22.4.1932
d. 5.5.2016
|Isao Tomita was not a jazz musician but his pioneering work with electronic music led the way for many musicians to use that medium to take their music and improvisation forward. Born in Tokyo he studied at Keio University after a brief period in China. He 'became enraptured by Western classical music, along with jazz and pop, through radio broadcasts by the United States Army of occupation.' He bought a Moog Synthesizer from the United States and gradually extended his kit and his international reputation. For Isao's obituary click here: Isao Tomita.
|Trevor Tomkins
|b. 12.5.1941
d. 9.9.2022
|British jazz drummer born in London and studied music at the Guildhall School of Music. He initially learned to play trombone as a teenager but on taking up the drums went on to play with Don Rendell and Ian Carr, Gilgamesh, Henry Lowther, Tony Coe and others as well as with visiting musicians such as Sonny Stitt and Lee Konitz. Obituaries: Wikipedia : London Jazz News :
|Allen Toussaint
|b. 14.1.1938
d. 9.11.2015
|New Orleans pianist and singer who was also a talent scout, record producer, studio owner, singer and arranger. He collaborated with some of the great names of rock, including The Band, Paul McCartney, Patti LaBelle, Robert Palmer and Elvis Costello. At 13, he formed a band with guitarist Snooks Eaglin before playing in the New Orleans area generally. He began performing again in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina when he moved to New York. For Allen's obituary click here: Allen Toussaint.
|Cliff Townshend
Baritone Saxophone
|b. 28.1.1916
d. 29.6.1986
|Stan Tracey
|b. 30.12.1926
d. 6.12.2013
|UK pianist, composer and bandleader born in London who started by playing the accordion in wartime ensembles. After the War he played with touring bands and singers and then became acquainted with Tony Crombie and Ronnie Scott. He worked with Ted Heath's band and then starred as house pianist at Ronnie Scott's club where he accompanied many great American soloists. His compositions Under Milk Wood and Alice In Jazzland are milestone UK jazz recordings. He went on to work with Mike Osborne, John Surman, Art Themen, Guy Barker, Bobby Wellins and many others. His son, Clark Tracey, is a jazz drummer.. Click here for Stan's obituary: Stan Tracey.
|Sheila Tracy
|b. 10.1.1934
d. 30.9.2014
|Best known as the presenter of the Big Band Special on BBC Radio2, many forget that Sheila also played trombone with the Ivy Benson Band in the 1950s. When she left the BBC in 2000, Sheila introduced a programme called Swingtime on commercial radio until 2006 and presented a programme for Pure Jazz Radio in America. She has written two books about big bands: Bands, Booze and Broads (1995) and Talking Swing (1997). For Sheila's obituary click here: Sheila Tracy.
|Trevor Trueman
|d. 2016
Alan Royle shared on Facebook the news that drummer Trevor Trueman from Hyde, Cheshire had passed through the Departure Lounge. We have no other details so please let us know if you have any other information about Trevor.
|Bobby Tucker
|b. 8.1.1923
d. 12.4.2008
|Pianist from New Jersey who accompanied Mildred Bailey and backed Billie Holiday . Played with bebop and mainstream bands and became musical director for Billy Eckstine. Bruce Crowther has written an obituary in for Jazz Journal International of July 2008 (not available on line) and there is other information by clicking here although there is a date error in the piece where his death is given as 2007.
|Bruce Turner
|Alto Saxophone
|b. 5.7.1922
d. 28.11.1993
|Richard Turner
|b. 30.7.1984
d. 11.8.2011
|UK trumpeter with the bands Round Trip and Friendly Fires. A recent graduate from the Royal Academy of Music he suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm while swimming. He was just 27. For Richard's obituary click here: Richard Turner.
|John Twiss
|McCoy Tyner
|b. 11.12.1938
d. 6.3.2020
|American pianist born in Philadelphia known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career. He was an NEA Jazz Master and a five-time Grammy winner. Not a player of electric keyboards and synthesizers, he was committed to acoustic instrumentation. Tyner, who was widely imitated, was one of the most recognizable and most influential pianists in jazz history. In 1960 he joined The Jazztet led by Benny Golson and Art Farmer and six months later, he joined John Coltrane's Quartet and worked with the band during its extended run at the Jazz Gallery. Coltrane had known Tyner for a while growing up in Philadelphia. His involvement with Coltrane came to an end in 1965 and he then produced a series of post-bop albums released by Blue Note from 1967 to 1970. During the 1980s and 1990s, McCoy worked in a trio that included Avery Sharpe on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. He made solo albums for Blue Note, and then signed with Telarc for several trio albums. For mire about McCoy click here: McCoy Tyner.
|Bernie Tyrrell
|b. 1933
d. 3.11.2012
|Alan Bond wrote to give us the sad news of the passing of UK drummer and magazine publisher Bernie Tyrrell. Bernie and his wife Lynda published the magazine Jazz Guide for many years. Alan says: 'Bernie died at the age of 79 on 3rd November. Bernie used to have his own band called the Salisbury Stompers which had a regular gig at The Salisbury in Barnet (from 1971 to 1985). His widow Lynda and the other helpers, Terry and Sarah Cheney plan to carry on publishing the Jazz Guide every month and apparently a website is planned as well.'
|Trevor Tyson
|Mo Umansky
String Bass
Electric Bass
|b. 19.6.1934
|Mo played with the Sandy Brown Band from around 1954-1956. When he left he became a design engineer and went on to play with jazz bands in the London area and to form soul bands. More about Mo.
|Bebo Valdes
|b. 9.10.1918
d. 22.3.2013
|Pioneer Cuban pianist and bandleader who until the 1959 Cuban revolution was musical director at Havana's Tropicana Club. When the revolution came he left Cuba for Mexico, America, Spain and finally Sweden. His son, Chucho is pianist with the band Irakere. For Bebo's obituary click here: Bebo Valdes
|Carlos Valdes
|Conga Drums
|b. 4.11.1928
d. 4.12.2007
|Carlos 'Patato' Valdes introduced the conga drum to jazz and played with Art Blakey, Herbie Mann and Dizzy Gillespie. For Carlos' obituary click here. Carlos Valdes.
|Dave Valentin
|b. 29.4.1952
d. 8.3.2017
|Born in the Bronx to parents who came from Puerto Rico, Dave Valentin was playing conga and timbales professionally by the time he was 10. As a teenager, he became attracted to a girl who played the flute and, to better court her, switched instruments and taught himself to play. He went on to become one of the pre-eminent flutists in Latin jazz. He recorded with the singers Patti Austin, Chris Connor and Nnenna Freelon, the guitarist Lee Ritenour, the pianist McCoy Tyner's Afro-Cuban All-Stars and many others. He also toured with the percussionist Tito Puente and was music director of his Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars. For Dave's obituary click here: Dave Valentin.
|Fred Van Hove
b. 19.2.1937
|Belgian pianist, accordionist, church organist, carillonist, and composer. In the 1960s and 1970s he performed with saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and drummer Han Bennink. He also played with Steve Lacy and Lol Coxhill and with trombonists Albert Mangelsdorff and Vinko Globokar. In 1996 was given the title of Cultural Ambassador of Flanders by the Belgian government. Obituaries: Wikipedia : Free Jazz Blog :
|Billy VerPlanck
|b. 1930
|Billy VerPlanck - Billy began playing trombone with the Jess Stacey band when he was fifteen, and went on to play with and write arrangements for Charlie Spivak, Claude Thornhill, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and Charlie Barnet. Billy's wife is the singer Marlene VerPlanck.
|Marlene VerPlanck
|b. 1.11.1933
d. 14.1.2018
|American vocalist from New Jersey. She married trombonist, composer, and arranger J. William "Billy" VerPlanck in 1955, and he became her musical collaborator. She began performing as a teenager at the age of 19, and her debut album, I Think of You with Every Breath I Take, was released when she was 21, and featured Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall, Kenny Clarke and Herbie Mann. She sang with Charlie Spivak's band and later with the Tommy Dorsey and Tex Beneke bands. Marlene VerPlanck also sang backing for Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Mel Torme and Fank Sinatra. She last performed in December 2017 at a jazz club in New York City. For more information click here: Marlene VerPlanck.
|Derek Wadsworth
|b. 5.2.1939
d. 3.12.2008
|Trombonist who played in a number of different genres including jazz with Neil Ardley, jazz-rock with Colosseum and blues with Savoy Brown. For Derek's obituary click here: Derek Wadsworth
|Abdul Wadud (Ron DeVaughn)
|b. 30.4.1947
d. 10 8.2022
American cellist and saxophonist born in Cleveland who featured in both classical and improvised music.' It was while studying at Oberlin college in Ohio, famed for its music programme, that he became a Muslim. With two friends, the saxophonist Yusuf Mumin and the drummer Hasan Shahid, he formed the Black Unity Trio, playing music inspired by their interest in the new avant-garde sounds of Eric Dolphy, Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler. In 1992 Wadud decided to withdraw completely from the music scene, disillusioned by a continuing lack of recognition and "burned out", as he described his state of mind at the time in an interview with Reid and the film-maker Joel Wanek'. Obituaries : Wikipedia : The Guardian : New York Times : Jazz Times :
|Bea Wain
|b. 30.4.1917
d. 19.8.2017
|Born in the Bronx to Jewish immigants from Russia, self-taught vocalist Beatrice Wain began singing soon after leaving school on a children's radio programme. In 1937 she recorded with Artie Shaw's band (although she was credited as 'Bea Wayne') and in 1938 was 'discovered' by arranger Larry Clinton who signed her for his orchestra playing at Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, N.Y. She tired of the road trips and poor pay for recordings and left to perform on her own, appearing regularly on the popular radio show "Your Hit Parade" and later on "Your All-Time Hit Parade." In a short-lived recording career (curtailed by a two-year strike by musicians over royalties that began in 1942), Ms. Wain was voted most popular female band vocalist in Billboard's 1939 college poll. (Ella Fitzgerald was second.) She later headed a vocal group called Bea and the Bachelors. For Bea's obituary click here: Bea Wain.
|Phillip Walker
|b. 11.2.1937
d. 22.7 2010
|Guitarist and Blues singer born in Louisiana where he worked with Lonesome Sundown and Long John Hunter before moving to Los Angeles. In 1969, began working with producers and songwriters Bromberg and Walker and collaborated with them for the next 20 years. For Phillips obituary click here: Phillip Walker.
|Bob Wallis
|b. 3.6.1934
d. 10.1.1991
|Brian Wallis
|d. 2020
|UK clarinet player. Dan Lucken writes: 'Brian played clarinet with many bands in his 60 year plus career. I am not aware of his full biography having only known him, while playing together, for the last 10 years or so with Redbourn Jazz Band. An inspiring figure, always turned out in jacket and tie, and sharing stories of playing in the golden age of the 1950s. (We curently have no obituary for Brian).
|Cedar Walton
|b. 17.1.1934
d. 19.8.2013
American pianist and composer. Early on, he ran his own local trio in Denver which played with guests including Dizzy Gillespie. Drafted into the forces, he got to sit in with Duke Ellington's band and with Don Ellis while he was stationed in Germany. After demob, he played with Kenny Dorham, JJ Johnson, Art Farmer and Benny Golson before joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He moved on to play with many other bands, including UK musicians. His last album, The Bouncer, was released in 2011. Click here for Cedar's obituary: Cedar Walton
|Harry Walton
|British drummer and vibes player who claimed to be the longest serving jazz musician born and bred in Leicester. For Harry's obituary click here: Harry Walton
|David S Ware
|b. 7.11.1949
d. 18.10.12
|American free-jazz saxophonist who was mentored by Sonny Rollins and played with Cecil Taylor and Barry Harris as well as leading his own groups. For David's obituary click here: David S Ware
|Ron Ware
|d. 3.2015
|Ron was the leader and cornet player for the Barbecue Jazz Band that started up in 1950 and in 1952 featured Ron Ware (cornet/leader), Mick Clift (trombone), David Morgan/Frank Bond (drums), Kenneth Eltringham (clarinet), Terry Bowler (tuba), Brian Powell (piano) and Cyril Davies (banjo/vocals). Ron's cousin, Geoff Fordham tells us that Ron sadly passed through the Departure Lounge in March - he was 89 and had been ill for some time. For more about Ron click here: Ron Ware.
|Butch Warren
|b. 9.8.1939
d. 5.10.2013
|Born Edward Rudolph Warren in Washington, Butch started playing bass at fourteen with his father Eddie's band. He went on to play and record with Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson and Herbie Hancock and joined Thelonious Monk's Quartet in 1963. He suffered from addiction and mental health problems and eventually returned to Washington where at various time he was hospitalised or homeless, playing only occasionally. Click here for Butch's obituary: Butch Warren.
|Fran Warren
|b. 4.3.1926
d. 4.3.2013
|American vocalist born Frances Wolfe who failed an audition for Duke Ellington's Orchestra but went on to sing with other big bands including those of Billy Eckstine, Charlie Barnet and Claude Thornhill, replacing Kay Starr as the vocalist in the Charlie Barnet band. After going solo, she later sang with Harry James's band in the 1960s and Joe Cabot's band in the 1970s and 1980s. For Fran's obituary click here: Fran Warren
|Beverly Watkins
|b. 6.4.1939
d. 1.10. 2019
|American blues guitarist born in Atlanta, Georgia. She began playing music in school, and, in high school, she played bass for a band called Billy West Stone and the Down Beats. She was introduced to Piano Red, who had a daily radio show on WAOK, and she subsequently joined Piano Red and the Meter-tones, who played in a number of towns in the Atlanta area, and then Atlanta clubs such as the Magnolia Ballroom and the Casino, before starting to tour throughout the southeast, primarily at colleges. About the time the group renamed itself Piano Red and the Houserockers, they started touring nationally. After the breakup of the band in about 1965, Watkins played with various bands, including the Ink Spots, until the late 1980s. During her career she also played with James Brown, B.B.King and Ray Charles. Click here for more about Beverly: Beverly Watkins.
|Derek Watkins
|b. 2.3.1945
d. 22.3.2013
|UK trumpeter who played on a freelance basis with many bands including Ted Heath, John Dankworth, Maynard Gerguson, Benny Goodman, and Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland. As a session musician he played on the soundtrack of every James Bond film. For Derek's obituary click here: Derek Watkins.
|Bill Watrous
|b. 8.6.1939
d. 2.7.2018
|American trombonist who described himself as a "bop-oriented" player. He was well known among fellow trombonists as a master technician and for his mellifluous sound. His first professional performances were in Billy Butterfield's band but from 1960, he played and recorded with Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Quincy Jones, and Kai Winding amongst others. In the 1970s he played with the jazz fusion group Ten Wheel Drive and also formed his own band, The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge Big Band, which recorded two albums for Columbia Records.Watrous taught at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. For more about Bill click here. Bill Watrous.
|Arthur Watts
|Double Bass
Bass Guitar
|b. 27.5.1928
d. ?.1.1993
|Charlie Watts
|b. 2.6.1941
d. 24.8.2021
|Best known as drummer for The Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts was also an enthusiastic jazz drummer. In 1961 he was part of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and while with The Stones he also led a jazz Quintet and Tentet. For more about Charlie click here: Charlie Watts. Obituaries: BBC ; The Guardian ; New York Times ; Rolling Stone
|George Webb
|b. 8.10.1917
d. 11.3.2010
|Pianist born in Camberwell who founded the Bexleyheath Jazz Club and in 1941 formed his Dixielanders band. Several members of the band would go on to become major British jazz figures including Wally Fawkes, Eddie Harvey and Humphrey Lyttelton. For George's obituary click here: George Webb
|Johnny Webb
|Peter Webb
|d. 5.2016
|Peter's wife has informed us that Peter passed through the Departure Lounge in May. Peter was a clarinettist and a founder member of the Canal Street Jazz Band that played in the Kingston area of Surrey. He wrote to us in response to Ron Drakeford's page on 'Kingston Jazz' (click here).
|Bert Weedon
|b. 10.5.1920
d. 20.4.2012
Although UK guitarist Bert Weedon will probably be remembered for his Play In A Day guitar tutor books, through which many famous guitarists learned to play, he was also a member of various jazz groups in his earlier career. He formed his own bands the Blue Cumberland Rhythm Boys and Bert Weedon's Harlem Hotshots in the 1940s, played with Harry Gold's Pieces Of Eight, performed with Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing and then went to work with Ted Heath's band amongst others. For Bert's obituary click here: Bert Weedon
|George Wein
|b. 3.10.1925
d. 13.9.2021
|American jazz promoter, pianist, and producer who founded the Newport Jazz Festival with Pete Seeger and Theodore Bikel and was instrumental in the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Wein began learning the piano when he was eight. He developed a passion for jazz while attending high school, where he formed his first jazz band. He studied at Boston University, where he led a small group which played professionally around Boston. After graduation, he opened the Storyville jazz club and established the Storyville record label. He also taught a course at Boston University on the history of jazz. Obituaries: Wikipedia : New York Times : The Guardian :
|Don Weller
|b. 19.12.1940
d. 30.5.2020
|U.K. saxophonist Don Weller began playing clarinet in Dixieland bands around the Croydon area, but later switched to tenor saxophone and played in Kathy Stobart's rehearsal band. He went on to work with Bryan Spring, Stan Tracey, Harry Becket, Art Themen, Dick Morrisey and others. 'He has been described as a "first choice for TV and film soundtracks".He played the saxophone solo on David Bowie's theme song for the film Absolute Beginners (1986). He also contributed to the jazz club movie Stormy Monday (1988). In 1995 he was commissioned by the Appleby Jazz Festival organiser Neil Ferber to write The "Pennine Suite" for a jazz big band which was premiered at the 1995 Appleby festival and released on CD the following year. For more about Don click here: Don Weller.
|Bobby Wellins
|b. 24.1.1936
d. 27.10.2106
|One of the UK's best known saxophonists. Born in Glasgow he moved to London in the 1950s leading his own bands and playing with, amongst others, Buddy Featherstonhaugh's quintet and Tony Crombie's Jazz Inc. That is where he first met pianist Stan Tracey with whom he would collaborate. He joined Tracey's quartet in the early 1960s as well as working with his own Quartet and other bands. In the 1980s he formed a quintet with fellow sax player Don Weller and then with guitarist Jim Mullen. He went on to lead various quartetsand more recently had renewed his association with drummer Spike Wells with a quartet featuring Mark Edwards on piano and Andrew Cleyndert on bass. For Bobby's obituary click here: Bobby Wellins.
|Frank Wess
|Tenor sax
|b. 4.1.1922
d. 30.10.2013
|American tenor sax and flute player who worked with Billy Eckstine's Orchestra before joining Count Basie where he played alongside Frank Foster. He moved on to join Clark Terry's Big band and continued to play and record until a few months before he died. For Frank's obituary click here: Frank Wess.
|Cedric West
|b. 9.12.1918
|Harvey Weston
|Double Bass
Bass Guitar
|b. 2.3.1940
|Randy Weston
b. 6.4.1926
|American pianist and composer born in New York who was inspired by his African roots and became known as "America's African Musical Ambassador". He said: "What I do I do because it's about teaching and informing everyone about our most natural cultural phenomenon. It's really about Africa and her music". Wynton Kelly was his cousin and he played at various times with Bullmoose Jackson, Kenny Dorham, Cecil Payne, Booker Irvin and many others. His compositions include Berkshire Blues, Earth Birth, Babe's Blues, Pam's Waltz, Hi-Fly and African Sunrise. For more about Randy click here: Randy Weston.
|Ian Wheeler
|b. 13.1.1931
d. 27.6.2011
|Clarinet, saxophone and harmonica player born in London in 1931. He formed the River City Jazz band in 1952 and played with the bands of Mike Daniels, Ken Colyer and Keith Smith's Hefty Jazz amongst others. Ian spent two periods with Chris Barber's band from 1961 to 1968 and 1979 to 1998. Click here for Ian's obituary: Ian Wheeler.
|JJ Wheeler
|b. 27.4.1989
|Drummer, composer and bandleader from London and Yorkshire who went to Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Academy of Music and who set up his label Mongrel Records. Click here for more about JJ Wheeler.
|Kenny Wheeler
|b. 14.1.1930
d. 18.9.2014
|Canadian trumpeter bandleader and composer who moved to the UK in 1952 and became a key figure on the jazz scene. In the '60s he played with Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and John Dankworth. In the '90s he released influential albums such Music for Large and Small Ensemble and Kayak. In 1997, he received critical acclaim for album Angel Song, which featured Bill Frisell, Dave Holland and Lee Konitz. He was the founding patron of the Junior Jazz programme at the Royal Academy of Music. Click here for Kenny's obituary: Kenny Wheeler.
|Andrew White
Bass Guitar
|b. 6.9.1942
|American multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, oboe and bass guitar), musicologist and publisher whoplayed with Kenny Clarke, Otis Redding, McCoy Tyner, his own band and many solo performances. He was the electric bassist with Stevie Wonder, from 1968 through August 1970, concurrent with his position as oboist with the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He was the principal electric bassist with the popular singing group The 5th Dimension, from 1970 through 1976 and among his most memorable recordings as an electric bassist is with the jazz-fusion super-group Weather Report's album, Sweetnighter, recorded in 1973. As a musicologist, White published many musicological offerings through his music publishing firm, Andrew's Music, including The Works of John Coltrane, Vols. 1 though 14: 701 transcriptions of John Coltrane's Improvisations. Andrew White "thoroughly and meticulously transcribed, encyclopeiasized, catalogued, documented, and self-published "the most significant linguistic contributor to the jazz language in the history of jazz, John Coltrane". For more about Andrew click here: Andrew White.
|Maurice White
|b. 19.12.1941
d. 4.2.2016
|American singer, songwriter, producer and guiding force behind the band Earth, Wind & Fire, the biggest black music act of the 1970s whose style of music still has an influence on some jazz musicians today. By the mid-1960s he had become a session player at Chess record company studios, backing stars such as Etta James and Muddy Waters. By 1966 he had joined the Ramsey Lewis Trio, replacing Isaac "Red" Holt on drums. Over the next three years he played on nine of the jazz trio's albums, including Wade in the Water (1966). White described Lewis as his "mentor". By 1987, however, White was showing signs of the Parkinson's disease that would force him to retire in 1994. For Maurice's obituary Click here: Maurice White.
|Tam White
|b. 12.7.1942
d. 21.6.2010
|Scottish blues legend credited as the first person to sing live on Top Of The Pops, his career brought him into contact with people such as BB King and Eric Clapton. Born in Edinburgh in July 1942, he was first noticed at the age of 11 in a contest in Princes Street Gardens. Click here for more about Tam: Tam White
|Wesla Whitfield
|b. 15.9. 1947
d. 9. 2. 2018
|Born in Santa Maria, California, Wesla started out as an opera / classical music vocalist but became well known for her interpretations of the Great American Song Book. Many news obituaries online seem to require subscription. The allaboutjazz link we have here was written before Wesla died.
|Tommy Whittle
Bass Clarinet
|b. 13.10.1926
d. 13.10 2013
|Scottish saxophonist who moved to London in 1944 to join Johnny Claes band and then went on to work with Lew Stone, Ted Heath, Tony Kinsey, Jack Parnell, the BBC Big band and the Pizza Express All Stars amongst others. Sandy Brown recorded a live set with him in 1971 in a band led by Phil Seamen. Click here for Tommy's obituary: Tommy Whittle.
|Barry Whitworth
|b. 1933
d. 18.10. 2017
|UK trumpeter and bandleader. Peter Maguire writes: 'Barry was a major force on the northern jazz scene during the nineteen sixties onwards. He lived in Sheffield and outside of his musical interests was a successful businessman. The Barry Whitworth Quintette featured some of the most talented musicians of the era playing superbly executed hard bop. I do in fact have a CD of the band, some tracks recorded at the legendary Forty Three Club in Manchester and would be more than willing to send a copy to anyone who might like to hear just how top draw they were (click here to contact Peter). We do not currently have an obituary for Barry, but will add one if it becomes available.
|Gerry Wiggins
|b. 12.5.1922
d. 13.7.2008
|American West Coast pianist who played on Les Hite's 'Jersey Bounce' a record that featured one of the earliest be-bop solos by Dizzy Gillespie. Played with Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Scott Hamilton, Lena Horne and many other singers. Click here for obituary: Gerry Wiggins.
|Bob Wilber
|b. 15.3.1928
d. 4.8.2019
|American clarinetist, saxophonist, and band leader. Wilber was a dedicated advocate of classic styles, working throughout his career to present traditional jazz pieces in a contemporary manner. He played with many distinguished jazz leaders in the 1950s and 1960s, including Bobby Hackett, Benny Goodman, Sidney Bechet, Jack Teagarden and Eddie Condon. In the late 1960s, he was an original member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band, and in the early 70s of Soprano Summit, a band which gained wide attention. In the late 1970s, he formed the Bechet Legacy Band. Bob was active in jazz education, including working as director of the Smithsonian Jazz Repertory Ensemble. He wrote for films, including The Cotton Club. In his autobiography, Music Was Not Enough, he recounts his childhood, meeting his mentor Sidney Bechet, in 1946, and his struggles as a musician in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in New York City, Bob passed away in the UK at Chipping Campden. For more about Bob click here: Bob Wilber.
|Joe Wilder
|b. 22.2.1922
d. 9.5.2014
|American trumpeter who was one of the first black musicians to break through into the New York studio scene. He played with Les Hite, Lionel Hampton, Jimmie Lunceford, Dizzy Gillespie, Erskine Hawkins, Lucky Millinder and Count Basie. For Joe's obituary click here: Joe Wilder.
|Richard Willcox
|b. 30.11.1938
d. 21.12.2007
|Trombone player with Wally Fawkes. Radio producer for Jazz Score. Click here for obituary: Richard Willcox
|Jessica Williams
|b. 1948
d. 10.3.2022
|American pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland. Although she studied classical music, by her early thirties she had played with Philly Joe Jones and after moving to San Franciso was playing in house bands for Eddie Harris, Dexter Gordon and Stan Getz. Obituaries: Sandy Brown Jazz : WGBO :
|Richard 'Dick' Williams
|b. 19.3.1933
d. 16.8.2019
|Jamie Evans writes: 'Sad to hear of Richard Williams' passing last week at the good old age of 86. Dick was, of course, a giant in the film animation field, an original who was garlanded with many awards including several Oscars for his work. Most of the obits understandably don't mention the fact that he was a keen jazz trumpeter and led various combos in London in the late '50s onwards. I can't quite quite remember how, but I think piano player Ron Rubin left his band around 1960 and recommended me to follow him. I was only 18 and was absolutely over the proverbial to join his band which included some fine musicians like Peter Shade (vibraphone), John Ritchie (trombone), Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxes) and Mal Cutlan (drums). We had a residency at a club called the Cafe Des Artistes in Kensington on Friday nights. It was a late-night job and I couldn't get any transport home and would always stay over at his Chiswick flat. I was interested in working as a film editor and he did his best to help me into a role in that scene but it never happened. I rarely encountered him after I moved on from his band but would often proudly read of his growing status in the film animation world. I'll always remember his kindness to this young piano player and we would listen to some great music on his LP collection before I made my way home on a Saturday.'
|John Williams
|b. 28.1.1929
d. 12.2018
|American jazz pianist born in Vermont. In 1945, he embarked on a six-month tour with Mal Hallett's band, having not yet completed high school. In the 1940s he played with Johnny Bothwell and Teddy Kotick, gigged with Charlie Parker in 1950, and after serving in the Korean War enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music. 'His associations around this time included Charlie Barnet, Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims (and others). He recorded two albums as a leader for EmArcy Records in the mid-1950s. 'Disillusioned with the jazz life in New York, Williams decided to move to Florida, where he played for a time as a pianist in Miami Beach. He was a regular performer at an annual music festival in Hollywood, Florida, where he played with many well known jazz musicians. Click here for Marc Myers JazzWax tribute. For more about John click here: John Williams.
|Marion Williams (Marie Power)
b. 28.3.1930
|In 2012, David Van De Gevel wrote from Greece asking if anyone could help with information about Marion Williams who once sang with John Dankworth (click here for Information page). Cathy Pound, Ben Wallis and Paul Francis (Marie's son, have contacted us to say on 13 February 2014 to say: 'Sad news that Marie Power (formerly Marion Williams) has passed away today (13th February) at the Royal Free cardiac care unit, Hampstead, London. Marion Williams was her name when she was a performer. London born in 1931 to an Irish mother and Nigerian father, she had high profile already by age 18, and in her 20's was with Johnny Dankworth before Cleo Laine. I believe along with other bands she reverted to her maiden or married name later in life when we knew her in Camden. She left the scene I think younger than she needed to and worked with Virgin finance department until her retirement'
|Roy Williams
|b. 7.3.1937
|Trefor 'Fingers' Williams
|Double Bass
|d. 5.9.2017
|U.K. bass player from Essex who joined the Chris Barber band in 2010. He was a founder member of Phil Mason's New Orleans Allstars in 1992; worked for more than ten years with Max Collie's Rhythm Aces; toured with Sammy Rimington's International band and has been playing on the south coast with the Usual Suspects. Although people have contacted us to let us know of Trefor's passing, we do not have a link to an obituary at the time of writing (this link is to Trefor's profile on the Chris Barber website where you will also find a larger version of this photograph).
|Lou Williamson
|b. 1947
d. 2009
|Scottish born drummer and vibes player who moved to Canada. Played with Houston Person, Bill Watrous and Paquito D'Riviera. We do not have an obituary for Lou, but clicking on his name will take you to a page about him from earlier in 2009: Lou Williamson
|Larry Willis
b. 20.12.1940
|American pianist born in New York. He began playing regularly with Jackie McLean and went on to play through a wide range of styles including jazz fusion, bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz and avant garde. During his career he played with many jazz musicians including Nat Adderely and Roy Hargrove, and for many years was pianist with the band Blood, Sweat and Tears. He received the Don Redman award in 2011, and the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in 2012. For more about Larry click here: Larry Willis.
|Abram Wilson
|b. 30.8.1973
d. 9.6.2012
|Born in New Orleans, trumpeter Abram Wilson moved to London in 2002 working with Julian Jospeh and then with Gary Crosby's Jazz Jamaica and Tomorrow's Warriors. He taught in London schools and during the past year had been leading his own Septet that inclduded Jean Toussaint and Peter King. (See this month's 'Taster' article above for more about Abram Wilson). For Abram's obituary click here: Abram Wilson
|Gerald Wilson
|b. 4.9.1918
d. 8.9.2014
|American trumpeter, composer and bandleader from Mississippi who at the age of twenty joined Jimmy Lunceford's orchestra, then played with Benny Carter and Les Hite. He formed a big band with Ellington singer Herb Jeffries and worked with Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He went on to tour with his big band in the US and Europe and hosted his own radio show.For Gerald's obituary click here: Gerald Wilson.
|Joe Lee Wilson
|b. 22.12.1935
d. 17.7.2011
African American / Creek Native American jazz vocalist who performed with Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and others. Foe Joe Lee's obituary click here: Joe Lee Wilson.
|Nancy Wilson
|b. 20.2.1937
d. 13.12.2018
|American vocalist who came to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. She became one of the few African-Americans of her day to host a TV program, the Emmy-winning "Nancy Wilson Show," on NBC. Nancy released more than 70 albums in a five-decade recording career. She won three Grammy Awards, one for best rhythm and blues recording for the 1964 album How Glad I Am, and two for best jazz vocal album, in 2005 and 2007. In 2004, she was honored as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. For Nancy's obituary click here: Nancy Wilson.
|Ruby Wilson
|b. 1948
d. 12.8.2016
|American blues, soul and gospel singer known as the Queen of Beale Street. Born in Texas, she grew up singing in her church choir and moved to Memphis in 1972 where she became a fixture at Beale Street nightclubs, including Mr. King's blues club, where she had a regular weekly performance. She recorded 10 albums, sang with musicians such as Isaac Hayes and B.B. King, toured Eaurope and Asia and appeared in films including Robert Altman's Cookie's Fortune (1999), which opens in a blues club where Ms. Wilson is singing. For Ruby's obituary click here: Ruby Wilson.
|Amy Winehouse
|b. 14.9.1983
d. 23.7.2011
|UK singer who sang at times with great jazz interpretation and who died young after a career troubled by drug addiction. For Amy's obituary click here: Amy Winehouse.
|Phil Woods
|b. 2.11.1931
d. 29.9.2015
|Alto saxophonist born in Massachusetts inspired by Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges. He worked with Charlie Barnet's orchestra but by the 1950s, he was playing with Kenny Dorham and Dizzy Gillespie. At the end of the 1950s he was recording with Gene Quill. He then married Charlie Parker's widow, Chan Richardson, Charlie Parker's former partner and moved to Paris where with George Gruntz he set up the European Rhythm Machine band. He continued to record through the 1970s and 1980s and gave time to teaching, including with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. 'Carrying his obligatory oxygen tank, Woods was playing in Pittsburgh with members of the city's symphony orchestra as recently as 4 September 2015'. For Phil's obituary click here: Phil Woods.
|Denny Wright
|b. 6.5.1924
d. 8.2.1992
|Richard Wyands
b. 2.7.1928
|American pianist born in California. A professional by 1944, Wyands had a countless number of musical associations throughout his long career including being part of the house band of the Blackhawk in San Francisco, touring with Ella Fitzgerald in 1956, accompanying Carmen McRae, and working with Cal Tjader, Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus, Jerome Richardson, Gigi Gryce, Illinois Jacquet, Kenny Burrell, Gene Ammons, Benny Carter, Teddy Edwards, Freddie Hubbard (with whom he recorded First Light), Etta Jones, Houston Person, and Warren Vache among many others. He was best known as a reliable sideman who quietly made every bop-oriented rhythm section swing in a style not that different than that of Red Garland and Wynton Kelly. For more about Richard click here: Richard Wyands.
|Lee Young
Soprano Saxophone
Band Leader
d. 31.7.2008
|Brother of Lester Young. Learned to play trumpet, trombone, piano and soprano sax but finally settled on the drums. Played with Mutt Carey, Buck Clayton, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole and others. Click here for Joe's obituary. Lee Young
|Snooky Young
b. 3.2.1919
|American trumpeter born in Ohio in 1919. He played with the bands of Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Les Hite, Benny Carter and others. Click here for Snooky's obituary: Snooky Young.
|Joe Zawinul
b. 7.7.1932
|Classically trained pianist who moved from Austria to the United States in 1959 but embraced jazz whilst training at the Vienna Conservatory. Played with Maynard Ferguson, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis and Weather Report which he formed with Wayne Shorter. Click here for Joe's obituary. Joe Zawinul.
|Mel Zelnick
|b. 28.9.1924
d. 21.2.2008
|Drummer who played with the US Army band during World war II and went on to play with Benny Goodman in the 1950s and then for Patti Page, Ray Charles and Nat King Cole. He taught drumming in his latter years to many students. For Mel's obituary click here: Mel Zelnick
|Bela Zoltan
|Mike Zwerin
|b. 18.5.1930
d. 2.4.2010
|Trombone player who at the age of 19, played with Miles Davis for a week and went on to tour the Soviet Union with Earl Hines. He also played with Eric Dolphy, John Lewis, Maynard Ferguson and Larry Rivers. For Mike's obituary click here: Mike Zwerin
George Galway - Peter Maguire writes: George Galway passed away peacefully at home on October 4th, 2020 aged 79 years. More than just international flute star James Galway's brother, George, was a melodic and lilting saxophone, flute and clarinet player in his own right!! George Galway was born in Belfast, the second son of a musical family. He took up the clarinet at the age of 13 and later progressed to the saxophone and flute. Before long, his talent was noticed by local band-leaders and he was soon in demand as a player. George was offered a position with the well known Jimmy Compton Jazz Band which had a great influence on his playing and was the start of a professional career. Spells with some of the Show Bands ie: Melotones, Clipper Carlton and the Witnesses took George out of the jazz arena for a time, but before long he made his home in Manchester and was playing in local jazz clubs. A ten year residency in Manchester's premier jazz venue 'Ganders Go South' saw George working with players such as Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Kenny Baker, Jiggs Wigham, Roy Williams, Humphrey Lyttleton, Digby Fairweather to name just a few. One of the highlights of George's was to play with Bob Wilbur in London at the Barbican Centre in a concert 'A Tribute to Benny Goodman'. Until recently George freelanced in Jazz clubs all over the UK and frequently appeared in jazz festivals. Obituaries : Jazz North West :
John Collinson - Eric Jackson tells us of the passing of John Collinson, pianist with the Jazz Caveners band. John was active with bands in the Sussex area for many years. One band he was with was the Dolphin Jazz Band and fortunately Brian Towers has posted a video on YouTube of the band's recording of Here Comes The Hot Tomali Man and Beale Street Blues (good sound quality) with a number of pictures from the time - click here. There is a lot of interesting information inckluded and Brian says: 'Besides our idols like Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, the L.A. Hot Five, Clarence Williams etc, we were also comfortable playing in the style of bands like George Lewis, Bunk Johnson etc. We would think nothing of playing 3 or 4 times weekly and practicing on the days when we had no gigs. We worked very hard in those days and I think it shows from our recordings. Line-up for the recording consisted of Dolphin original founder-members Peter Treger - trumpet; Chris Watford - clarinet; John Griffiths - bass and myself on trombone and the three who came along a little later - John Collinson - piano; the late Allan Whitmore - drums; and Ted Bishop - banjo. Missing is our original founder-member banjo player Geoff Coates, who died tragically and suddenly in Spain just last December.'
Alan Thomas - Dr John Latham tells us that Alan Thomas, pianist with the Sandy Brown and Cy Laurie bands has passed through the Departure Loung. Alan had retired to Portugal which is where he died at the age of 83 on the 23rd September. Alan played with Sandy from 1954 to 1956 when Sandy and Al Fairweather had moved to London and he played on many of the band's early classic recordings including Everybody Loves Saturday Night, Something Blues, African Queen and Blues Stampede. These were the days when the band had John R.T. Davies on trombone and Graham Burbidge on drums. Ian Armit went on to take over the piano chair when Alan left.
Eric Jackson has written saying: 'I knew Alan Thomas from school days and kept in intermittent touch. After leaving Sandy and Cy he was for a time in a band led by Ches Chesterman. There is also a 1971 LP (No CSD 174 on the Corona lable) under the title Fizzazz - a publicity effort for the soft drink manufacturer . The band was led by Mac Duncan and included Sonny Morris. Before he had his stroke, Alan used to make trips back to the UK and often appeared with Brian White. Annie Hawkins was also mentioned by him as someone he looked up'.
We have not been able to find an obituary for Alan, so please contact us if you can let us have any information about him from the time he left Sandy.
Jim Holmes - Ron Drakeford tells us of the passing of Jim Holmes whose funeral takes place in Bridport, Dorset on January 3rd. The UK trumpeter was born in London and was introduced to jazz by his brother. He took up the trumpet at eighteen and joined the Mike Pointon band in the 1950s. In the 1960s he went to New Orleans where he took lessons from Punch Miller and sat in with the George Lewis band. He played with Albert Nicholas, Butch Thompson and Sammy Rimington amongst others and was one of the founder members of the Excelsior New Orleans Brass Band and the Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band. Ron Drakeford says: 'Jim, Mike Pointon, John Deffery, Bill Stagg and myself made up the original "Lounge Lizards" which was formed to play at Bill Stagg's brother's wedding in the Sheffield area in the early sixties. Bill's brother Tom was a regular jazz event organiser and is currently resident in New Orleans where he has a record outlet. Sad news to hear of Jim's demise at this time of the year especially.' We do not have an obituary for Jim at present, but click here for his details on the Excelsior bands' website. Please contact us if you can let us have more information.
Ron Ware - Ron was the leader and cornet player for the Barbecue Jazz Band that started up in 1950 and in 1952 featured Ron Ware (cornet/leader), Mick Clift (trombone), David Morgan/Frank Bond (drums), Kenneth Eltringham (clarinet), Terry Bowler (tuba), Brian Powell (piano) and Cyril Davies (banjo/vocals). Ron's cousin, Geoff Fordham tells us that Ron sadly passed through the Departure Lounge in March - he was 89 and had been ill for some time.
On our Information requests page, Roger Trobridge had been asking about the Barbecue Jazz Band: 'Can anyone help with more information about the Barbecue Jazz Band and the musicians who played in it? It probably lasted from 1950 to 1952 and met in The Hut, Yiewsley, Hillingdon? It appears that the band was recorded at The Hut by someone with a portable machine who recorded direct to a disc. The players all got a disc afterwards. Roger, who has a recording on an aluminium disc coated with plastic (an 'acetate'?) which looks unplayable, also wonders if anyone can help with more information about this? The label has the words 'A Gold Star Recording and the brand SMS around the central hole: HUT 29-1-52.'
Roger is also interested in finding out about people who were recording some of the early bands in the 50s in the clubs. 'Not the proper labels who had their own studios. I think there was a shop in Oxford Street where bands could go and I think there was a singer called George Brock who had a recorder...'
Geoff says: 'Ron's widow told me yesterday that she has a copy of his record though I don't know if it's playable. The family hope to play the record at Ron's memorial.
Dave Evans - An Appreciation
Drummer Dave Evans was found in his flat on Tuesday night, 3rd January, 2017 after missing his resident gig at The Brewery Tap in Brentford.
Fellow drummer, Gerry Wood writes:
'We await the coroner's report for cause of death and probable date, etc. Dave was an esteemed drummer in the traditional New Orleans jazz style through the 1960s to recent days. For most of his life, Dave lived between Chiswick and Brentford, and as a young teenager in the late 1950s, he made his first steps into playing with the help of some rudimentary lessons from the pit percussionist at the Chiswick Empire variety theatre. That apart Dave was self taught and in the company of friends and fellow jazzers, like Barry Kid Martyn, grew into the world of the London jazz scene at Eel Pie Island and all-night sessions at Ken Colyer's Club.
Over the years Dave developed an eclectic taste in music. From Ravel and Erik Satie to Jimmy Smith's Hammond B3 organ to Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and '60s rockers, The Band. His heart and soul, however, were settled on the music of New Orleans: Jelly Roll Morton, George Lewis, Kid Ory, Louis Armstrong and especially the drummers Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, Minor Hall, Joe Watkins and above all the doyen of all styles, Sidney Catlett.
Establishing himself in the UK and Europe with Keith Smith's Climax Jazz Band, Dave played with some of the great names: Al Casey, guitarist with Fats Waller; pianists Alton Purnell and Sammy Price; and reeds player Joe Darensbourg. On a duo gig with the famed Lil Hardin Armstrong, Dave found himself pitched, unannounced, into Morton's demanding ragtime piece The Pearls, and at the end was congratulated warmly for his spirited, knowledgable accompaniment by the original pianist/arranger with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. Quite a night in Putney!
Dave played in New York and Minnesota on Garrison Keiller's Prairie Home Companion radio show with Butch Thompson's Anglo-US King Oliver Centennial Band. His 15 minutes of fame came with the trad-boom Confederates Jazz Band, complete with full military uniform (excused boots) and he later toured prestigious concert halls with The London Ragtime Orchestra. Dave's eclectic mind contributed solid swing to a coveted Champion Jack Dupree EP recorded for Mike Vernon at Decca with a young Jimmy Page on guitar. In the early 1970s, notable pub rockers 'Bees Make Honey' called him to Dave Edmund's Rockfield Studios for album tracks. Among his many recordings, perhaps his finest characteristic playing was on a live album from the 100 club with Johnny Parker's Reunion Band complete with JP himself, Ken Coyler, Graham Stewart, Alan Cooper, Jim Bray and Diz Disley. Lovely assured, confident swing, elastic ensemble interplay, slow-burn solos grounded by a timely, telling clout on his commanding snare.
Like me, Dave was a great admirer of Sandy Brown and his various bands. One of his stories told of meeting Sandy Brown on a muddy building site in Chiswick around the late 1950s. Dave was young jazz fan at the time and getting started in playing. He happened to have a 'Melody Maker' in his pocket as he took a short-cut across the open land. To his astonishment, he gradually realised that an approaching figure, taking his own short-cut towards him, was none other than Sandy Brown. Sandy stopped and asked for directions to a local pub where there was to be a band pick-up. Dave gave directions and despite being a shy young man produced his M.M. and secured Sandy's autograph. In later years this brief serendipity led to Dave sharing a bandstand with Sandy on a couple of occasions.
Until the end, Dave played a weekly residency with the One More Time Band at The Brewery Tap and various clubs and festivals with The Excelsior Vintage Jazz Band. Away from playing Dave was a familiar figure around Brentford and held in affectionate regard by many and often to be found in a corner seat with a pint studying The Telegraph crossword. A private man, comfortable in his own worth with nothing to prove to anybody. Amused by Stan and Ollie; entertained by Paul Temple and Mr Grouser; in awe of Phil Seaman and Bryan Spring.'
Dave Evans: a gentle man. 08.02.42 - 03.01.17
Mark of Ealing, who sent us the above picture of Dave, says: 'I have heard it said that he played the drums as if he had a bad smell under his nose. At the Brewery Tap in Brentford, where he played with the Max Emmons 'One More Time' Jazz Band for a very long time, he was sometimes referred to as "The Metronome".'
Gerry Higgins - UK bass player born in Salford. Mick Hamer writes: 'Gerry (Gerard) Higgins, who died of cancer in August, worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, from Stephane Grappelli to American stars like trumpeter Henry Red Allen as well as more home-grown talent like guitarist Diz Disley. Gerry came to London in the early 1960s joining the Alex Welsh band in 1966 when Ron Mathewson left to join Tubby Hayes. With John Barnes on reeds and Roy Williams on trombone, Alex Welsh had one of the best mainstream bands in the country and it was much in demand to accompany visiting American artists. In December 1966 the band embarked on a nationwide tour with the American cornet player Wild Bill Davison, making a live recording in Manchester, a studio recording in London followed by a session for the shortlived BBC2 television show, Jazz goes to College. The stint with Alex Welsh was followed by two world cruises on the P&O liner Canberra with Dick Charlesworth's band. Gerry and Dick became lifelong friends, a friendship founded on mutual respect for each other's musicianship and their deep enjoyment of a libation. Or two. Back in London, Gerry with his clear intonation and encylopedic knowledge of the repertoire, was much in demand, playing East-End pubs and West-End nightclubs.
Gerry Higgins at the Paris House July 2019
Gerry was very good at reading a room. He kept a shrewd eye on the audience, to see what kind of numbers went down well, or if there was a punch-up brewing, which wasn't that uncommon in the East End, as well as the all-important task of clocking what the management was up to. All musicians at the time played commercial gigs to supplement their income from jazz and Gerry was equally at home playing a tea dance at the Café Royal as he was at a jazz club. One function that was etched on his memory was the Guild of Television Producers' Awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on 14 February 1969. The presenter, the comedian Kenneth Horne, dropped dead on stage in front of the cameras. The event was cut from the broadcast programme. A lifelong cricket fan, Gerry and a clique of fellow musicians including John Barnes, were members of the MCC and often to be found in the Long Room at Lords. In the late 1980s he went on a lengthy tour of Scandinavia as part of June "Pepper" Harris's international trio, culminating in a gig in Helsinki, which was broadcast by Finnish television in January 1988. Back in London Gerry joined the Hot Club of London, with guitarist Denny Wright and the violinist Johnny Van Derrick. The group was one of the headline acts at the Ealing Jazz Festival of 1990 and 1991. In 1996 he moved down to Brighton. For many years he was the bandleader at the up-market Havana restaurant. He became a pioneer of the city's thriving afternoon jazz scene and for the past three years he was resident at the Paris House. The Paris House went from strength to strength, with trios fronted by violinist Mike Piggott, guitarist Nils Solberg, pianist Mick Hamer, the London-based tenor player Al Nicholls and cornetist Andy Woon. Gerry was a master of the distinctive style of defensive humour that musicians have perfected. In the autumn of 2017 he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He had the tumour cut out along with a chunk of his colon. "Now," said Gerry, "I've got a semicolon." After the operation he seemed to be back on top form and on 16 March he was on the last gig before lockdown at the Paris House. But two months later the cancer returned and this time nothing could be done.
Laurie Chescoe - A number of people have contacted us to say that UK drummer Laurie Chescoe has passed through the Departure Lounge. Laurie started his professional career in 1957 with the Teddy Layton Band and went on to play with Monty Sunshine, Dick Charlesworth, Bruce Turner's Jump Band, Bob Wallis, George Webb's reformed Dixielanders and then became a founder member of the Midnite Follies. He joined the Alex Welsh band in 1979 and worked in Alex's band for two years right up to Alex's untimely death. Since then Laurie has been working regularly in the Alan Elsdon Band, The Midnite Follies Orchestra, the Alex Welsh Reunion Band as well as leading his own band. Laurie joined Phil Mason's All Stars Band in 2003 and worked with them up to Phil's retirement in 2010. Laurie joined Bob Dwyer's Bix and Pieces in 2010. Phil Kent says: 'I knew Laurie well as he often sat in on drums when I was with Bob Wallis. Most of the time he was with Acker Bilk.' We do not have an obituary for Laurie or the date when he passed away (he was born on18th April 1933). Please let us know if you can help further.
© Sandy Brown Jazz