Obituary News

Bill Potts: Pianist, Arranger, Educator and Producer

Source: All About Jazz
March 4, 2005

Born: April 3, 1928 in Arlington, VA Died: February 15, 2005 in Plantation, FL

By Todd S. Jenkins

Pianist, composer and arranger Bill Potts died of cardiac arrest in Plantation, Florida, on February 15, 2005. He was 75 years old.

He was born William Orie Potts on April 3, 1928, in Arlington, Virginia. Potts was largely self-taught as a musician, beginning on Hawaiian guitar as a child. At fifteen he won a talent contest for his accordion skills. ...

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The Stars Come Out For Enos Payne Church Services

Source: All About Jazz
February 14, 2005

It was a nice sunny day in Jamaica Queens, New York when at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 12th, 2005 at the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church many musicians and friends came out to say “goodbye" to a teacher and friend-ENOS PAYNE, jazz pianist. The Church was jammed with many friends, family, musicians that included; Barry Harris, James Stowe, Alvin Flithe (winky), David Jackson, Stan Hope, Myrna Lake, Eric Lemon, Patience Higgins, Walter Kelly, Hank Johnson (Stuart H. Tresser), Rodney ...

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R&B singer Tyrone Davis dead at 66

Source: All About Jazz
February 11, 2005

CHICAGO -- Veteran rhythm and blues singer Tyrone Davis died Wednesday, four months after he had a stroke that left him in a coma, his business partner said.

He was 66. Davis was taken to hospital in September and was undergoing rehabilitation at a suburban Chicago nursing home at the time of his death, Leo Graham said.

Davis began his career in the 1960s and his baritone voice and warm and romantic singing style made him popular in the 1970s. ...

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Jazz Pianist ENOS PAYNE Funeral Arrangements (Latest Information)

Source: All About Jazz
February 11, 2005

Jazz Pianist Enos Payne passed (died) on Saturday, February 5th, 2005 from a brain anurism. Enos Payne was an instructor at Jazzmobile, and has helped many vocalists get their craft together. Please note: Body Viewing will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, February 11th, 2005 at the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home located at 179-24 Linden Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. Many musicians and friends are expected to come out. The Church service will be held on Saturday, ...

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Organist Jimmy Smith Dies at 76

Source: All About Jazz
February 10, 2005

Blue Note Records is saddened to announce the passing of Jimmy Smith, the man who single-handedly reinvented the Hammond B3 organ for jazz and created the model sound of the organ trio (organ-guitar-drums) in the mid-1950s. Smith died yesterday of natural causes at his home in Scottsdale, AZ. He was 76 years old. Born in Norristown, PA, in 1928, Smith at first took up the piano, learning from his parents at an early age. He turned his attention to the ...

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Hammond B-3 Legend Jimmy Smith Passes

Source: All About Jazz
February 10, 2005

December 8, 1925 to February 8, 2005 Jimmy Smith, the Hammond B-3 icon who creatively revolutionized the instrument in Jazz, died of apparent natural causes on Tuesday, February 8, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral arrangements are pending. “Jimmy was one of the greatest and most innovative musicians of our time. I love the man and I love the music. He was my idol, my mentor and my friend," fellow Hammond B-3 artist and friend, Joey Defrancesco said yesterday. ...

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Jazz Pianist and Educator Enos Payne Funeral Arrangements

Source: All About Jazz
February 10, 2005

Jazz Pianist ENOS PAYNE, a jazz educator and pianist died. Please note that the body viewing will take place on Friday, February 11th, 2005 at the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home located at 179-24 Linden Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11434 from 4:00P.M. until 8:00P.M. Their phone number is: (718) 526-5656. The Church services will take place at 9:30 A.M. at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church located at 131-29 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434. Enos Payne was an instructor ...

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Jimmy Smith: King of the Hammond B-3 Organ

Source: All About Jazz
February 9, 2005

Jimmy Smith Born: December 8, 1928 in Norristown, PA Died: February 8, 2005 in New York, NY

By Todd S. Jenkins

For all its versatility, the Hammond B-3 organ has had comparatively few champions in jazz, none greater than Jimmy Smith. The nearly unchallenged master of the jazz organ, humorous and soulful to the very end, died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on February 8, 2005, exactly two months after his 76th birthday.

Ron Goldstein, ...

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