Obituary News

Philip Stein, Muralist Who Adorned Village Vanguard Jazz Club, Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
May 18, 2009

On the back-wall mural at the Village Vanguard, the famous jazz club in Greenwich Village, a primordial man and woman burst from a kaleidoscopic background of brightly colored geometric forms.

For more than 40 years musicians have gazed, perhaps with some puzzlement, at this visionary artwork, suggestive of birth, creative dynamism and human aspiration. Patrons seated on bar stools at the back of the club have come to think of the big, curved mural as a visual counterpart to the ...

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Atlanta Rapper Dolla is Shot Killed at Beverly Center Los Angeles

Source: Michael Ricci
May 18, 2009

Los Angeles police investigate the scene of a shooting in which Atlanta-based rapper Dolla was killed. Publicist says rapper was shot in the head Monday afternoon in the valet area of the mall's parking structure. He flew to L.A. this morning to work on his first album, slated to be out this summer.

An Atlanta rapper was fatally shot at the Beverly Center on Monday afternoon, causing mall diners to dive for cover and sparking a police dragnet for suspects. ...

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Buddy Montgomery is Gone

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
May 18, 2009

We did not intend Rifftides to be an obituary service. It would be simpler to avoid its seeming like one if treasured musicians would stick around. We cannot ignore their passing.

The latest loss is Buddy Montgomery, who died today at the age of 79. The youngest of the Montgomery brothers, he outlived guitarist Wes and bassist Monk by many years. Admired among musicians for his creativity as a pianist and vibraharpist, his example affected a number of younger players. ...

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Wayman Tisdale, NBA Star & Smooth Jazz Artist Dies

Source: All About Jazz
May 15, 2009

Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma, who played 12 seasons in the NBA, died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44. Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, hospital spokeswoman Joy McGill said. Tisdale learned of a cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. His leg was amputated last August. He made several public appearances since, including ...

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Bassist Wayman Tisdale Dies at 44

Source: All About Jazz
May 15, 2009

By Andrew Lienhard Smooth jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale lost his two-year battle to cancer early this morning at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 44. The celebrated musician was also a well-known NBA Power Forward who played for the Phoenix Suns until his retirement in 1997. In his twelve-year NBA career, Tisdale scored more than 12,800 points and 5,000 rebounds. In 1984 Tisdale won a Olympic Gold Medal playing for the United States Basketball Team. But his off-court career ...

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New Orleans Modern Jazz Pioneer Mike Serpas Dies at 77

Source: All About Jazz
May 15, 2009

By Charles Suhor Trumpeter Mike Serpas, one of the pioneers of modern jazz in New Orleans, died on April 23 in Picayune, Mississippi. Born in Algiers, Serpas studied with the legendary Manuel “Fess” Manetta, a veteran of Buddy Bolden’s band, and played at Behrman High School under Milton Bush. He served in the U.S. Navy and attended Southeastern University in Hammond, where an administration sympathetic to jazz had attracted talents like pianist Bill Evans, guitarist Mundell Lowe, and bassist Red ...

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Travis Edmonson Half of Folk Duo Bud & Travis Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
May 11, 2009

They influenced other musicians during the folk revival of the late-50s and early 60s with their trademark harmonies, electrifying guitar work and embrace of Spanish folk music.

Travis Edmonson, a singer-songwriter who as part of the duo Bud & Travis influenced other folk musicians and helped expand the audience for Spanish- language songs, has died. He was 76.

Edmonson, who had Parkinson's disease and other illnesses, died Saturday at a hospital in Mesa, Ariz., said Mike Bartlett, a family spokesman. ...

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Bonnie Raitt and Friends Remember Guitarist Stephen Bruton

Source: Michael Ricci
May 11, 2009

I've been crying all day and never thought I'd get through this show, Bonnie Raitt told an Austin audience Sunday night at the end of her Mothers Day performance.

She was talking about the impact on her of the death on Saturday of Texas guitarist-songwriter-producer-actor Stephen Bruton, who'd once been a member of her band and who had been her friend for nearly four decades.

She told the audience that during Brutons tenure with her, she'd often avoid making eye ...

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