Obituary News

Saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus Passes Away at 58

Source: All About Jazz
February 4, 2004

Saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus, a former member of the Doobie Brothers who has performed with Steely Dan since 1993, died Tuesday en route to a series of performances in California. He was 58. Bumpus had a heart attack on a commercial flight from New York, said his friend, Rod Harris, an organizer of the Columbia College Jazz Concert Series, where Bumpus was to perform this week. “I was expecting to hear from him today, then his wife called," Harris said. “She ...

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Frank Mantooth Passed Away on January 30, 2004

Source: All About Jazz
February 1, 2004

We regret to announce that Frank Mantooth passed away on January 30, 2004.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 3 at St. Mary's Catholic Chruch in Garden City, Kansas. Graveside services will be held at the Okmulgee Cemetary in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on Thursday, February 5 at 11 a.m. (tentative). A tribute to Frank will be given Saturday February 7 at the New Trier Jazz Festival. For information, and to view online memories of Frank, click ...

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Dutch Tenor Saxophonist Harry Verbeke Died (81)

Source: All About Jazz
January 28, 2004

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Billy May, legendary arranger has died

Source: All About Jazz
January 23, 2004

( from the LA Times ) Billy May, a 1950s bandleader, composer and arranger with a highly distinctive style who worked with such leading recording artists as Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee, died of a heart attack Thursday at his home in San Juan Capistrano. He was 87. May began his career as a trumpeter with the Charlie Barnet Band in 1938. He soon was contributing arrangements characterized by what the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz described as “wailing, 'scooping' ...

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Milt Bernhart, West Coast trombonist, 1926-2004

Source: All About Jazz
January 22, 2004

Milt Bernhart b. 25 May 1926, Valparaiso, IN d. 22 January 2004, age 77, Glendale, CA Trombonist Milt Bernhart, a treasured icon of West Coast jazz, died of multiple organ failure on January 22, 2004 in Glendale, California. He was 77 years old.

Bernhart was as good-natured a man as jazz ever produced, self-deprecating and always able to see the humor in a situation. He began playing the tuba at ten but had switched ...

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Big Jim Eaves: Big talent, Big heart

Source: All About Jazz
January 15, 2004

Big Jim Eaves, beloved guitarist, vocalist, composer, bandleader, graphic artist, independent scholar, former manager of New York's Folk City and jazzy bluesman extraordinaire, passed away on December 4 in Los Angeles at the age of 59. Also known for his great generosity, humor, and kindness, Jim leaves behind thousands of friends all over the world.

A memorial fund is being set up in his name at the Jazz Foundation of America's “Musicians Emergency Fund"; contributions, which are tax-deductible, will help ...

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Buddy Arnold, 1926-2003

Source: All About Jazz
January 14, 2004

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Andre Persiany, 1927-2003

Source: All About Jazz
January 14, 2004

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