Obituary News

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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Don Joham: In Memoriam

Source: All About Jazz
February 8, 2005

I remember Don as a young fresh talent with a way about him that made you think he may have had another life. Don left us December 15, 2004. His daughter Tracey has posted here on All About Jazz looking for information on him and so everyone please go to your '50s '60s and '70s record collections and see if you might find any with Don Joham on them as a drummer. I know he worked with Art Pepper and ...

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Calvin Jones 1929-2004

Source: All About Jazz
February 8, 2005

Calvin Jones Dies; Began Jazz Program at UDC By Patricia Sullivan Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, October 15, 2004; Page B07 Calvin J. Jones, 75, a well-known musician, composer and arranger and the founder and director of the University of the District of Columbia's jazz studies program, died of a heart attack after surgery Oct. 10 at Prince George's Hospital Center. Mr. Jones was recognized two weeks ago as UDC's faculty member of the year, for creating its respected jazz ...

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Jazz Pianist and Educator Enos Payne Dead.

Source: All About Jazz
February 8, 2005

Jazz pianist and educator Enos Payne died as a result of brain anurism. Enos was known for his jazz workshop at the Up and Over Jazz Cafe in Brooklyn, and was a former student at Jazzmobile who worked his way up the ranks to become an instructor at Jazzmobile. According to the information available to me, it is speculated that funeral services will be at J. Foster Phillips Funeral home inJamaica, Queens. As soon as the family finalizes funeral arrangements ...

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In Memory of Mort Fega

Source: All About Jazz
January 27, 2005

Mort Fega wasn't a jazz musician, but he was one of the best things to ever happen to jazz musicians. And to jazz. Mort, who passed away last week in Delray, Florida, was one of the first modern jazz djs. When I met him in the late fifties, he was doing a 3-hour Saturday morning jazz show. Every week Mort presented the very best of what was happening at the moment in jazz along with samples of the music that ...

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Mort Fega, 83, Jazz Radio Broadcaster

Source: All About Jazz
January 27, 2005

Mort Fega, radio broadcaster, jazz record producer, journalist and teacher, died Friday, January 21 at Hospice of Palm Beach in Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Boyton Beach, Florida. According to the family, the cause of death was complications following surgery. Mr. Fega was born on July 4th, 1921 in New Rochelle, NY. He began his career in broadcasting in his hometown at radio station WNRC, where his Saturday afternoon jazz program garnered a loyal following. In 1962, he moved to WEVD, the ...

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