Obituary News

Stuart Nevitt, Founding Member of Grammy-Winning Band Shadowfax, Passes

Source: Lori Hehr Public Relations
March 26, 2008

Stuart Nevitt, co-founder, composer, and drummer/percussionist of the eclectic band Shadowfax, has died at the age of 56. Nevitt died Mar. 15 at his home in Rio Rancho, NM, of complications from type 1 diabetes and heart disease. The sextet, which Nevitt originally organized with Chuck Greenberg, G.E. Stinson, and Phil Maggini in an Illinois farmhouse in 1972, won a Grammy in 1988 for its album “Folksongs for a Nuclear Village," and was nominated for another one in 1992 for ...

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Remembering a Legend: Israel "Cachao" Lopez (1918 - 2008)

Source: All About Jazz
March 24, 2008

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Jack Perciful, Olympia WA Jazz Pianist Dead at 82

Source: All About Jazz
March 18, 2008

Long-time Olympia, WA resident and noted jazz piano player Jack Perciful died Thursday at the age of 82. He was well-known in the Olympia area after moving here in 1974 to join bassist Red Kelly to play at Kelly's Tumwater Conservatory. Perciful played with numerous bands, most notably the Harry James Orchestra, where he was pianist, arranger and music director from 1956-1974. He performed on several TV shows, such as Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson, and appeared in the Jerry ...

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Gus Giordano, 84, Innovator of Modern Jazz Dance, is Dead

Source: Michael Ricci
March 13, 2008

Gus Giordano, an early and tireless popularizer of American jazz dance who organized the first Jazz Dance World Congress, died on March 9 in Chicago. He was 84. The cause was pneumonia, according to his daughters, Nan and Amy Giordano. Mr. Giordano was best known through the performing of his company, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, founded in 1962 and based in Evanston, and through his teaching at dance conventions throughout the United States. The company, now directed by Nan Giordano, ...

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Gus Giordano, Dancer Innovator, Emmy Winner, Broadway Performer, Dies at 84

Source: All About Jazz
March 12, 2008

Gus Giordano not only launched his own popular, Evanston-based troupe, but he's one of the originators of the stylistic innovation now known worldwide as jazz dance. The venerable dancer, teacher, choreographer and author -- a gigantic figure in Chicago's dance community for more than half a century -- died early Sunday after a lengthy illness. He was 84. Giordano's many accomplishments include the beginning of the Jazz Dance World Congress, an international convention that regularly brings together troupes from all ...

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Dennis Irwin, 56, Bassist Popular in New York Jazz, is Dead

Source: Michael Ricci
March 12, 2008

Dennis Irwin, who for more than 30 years was a much-in-demand New York jazz bassist and whose recent illness became a rallying point for jazz musicians without medical insurance, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 56. The cause was liver failure as a result of cancer, said his son, Michael Irwin. He died the same day as a benefit concert was presented in his honor, staged by Jazz at Lincoln Center and including performances by Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, ...

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Guitarist and Bandleader Jeff Healey Dies in Toronto Hospital

Source: Just Roots PR
March 3, 2008

Following a lengthy struggle with cancer, Healey passes away on the eve of the release of a new blues rock album (His First Blues Album in 8 Years)

Jeff Healey, arguably one of the most distinctive guitar players of our time, died today (Sunday March 2) in St. Joseph's Hospital, Toronto. He was 41, and leaves his wife, Cristie, daughter Rachel (13) and son Derek (three), as well as his father and step-mother, Bud and Rose Healey, and sisters Laura ...

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Teo Macero, Man Behind Electric Miles and More: Rip

Source: All About Jazz
February 28, 2008

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