Obituary News

Bob Berg: Saxophonist Killed in Automobile Accident

Source: All About Jazz
December 6, 2002

From Newsday.com

Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Robert Berg was killed yesterday morning in Amagansett when a cement truck skidded across a snow-slicked road and rammed into his sport utility vehicle, East Hampton police said.

Berg, whose career encompassed free jazz, soul jazz, jazz rock and straight- ahead playing, was driving east on Route 27 with his wife about 10:45 a.m. when the cement truck approached from the opposite direction, Police Chief Todd Sarris said yesterday.

The driver of the truck, Dennis ...

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Mal Waldron: Expatriate Piano Great Dies in Brussels

Source: All About Jazz
December 6, 2002

Mal Waldron made his mark as a sympathetic accompanist for Billie Holiday in the last years of her career in 1957-9. The pianist went on to forge a reputation as an uncompromising creative musician in his own right, initially in his native New York and later in Europe, where he lived from 1965, firstly in Paris, and later in Munich and Brussels. He was a prolific composer in several genres as well as a pianist. His ...

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Mal Waldron Dies 77

Source: All About Jazz
December 3, 2002

Born: August 16, 1925 in New York City, New York Died: December 2, 2002 in Brussels, Belgium

Pianist Mal Waldron has died after short illness. His agent in Belgium issued the following statement:

Dear friends,

With great sadness I have to inform you of the passing of Mal Waldron, this December 2 at 9:15 pm local time in Brussels, Belgium. He slipped away, quietly and without pain, after a very brief illness.

Any messages for Mal's family are ...

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Remo Palmieri: Swinging and Inventive Jazz Guitarist

Source: All About Jazz
December 2, 2002

Guitarist Remo Palmier played with Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker in the early part of his career, and established his own reputation as a swinging and inventive guitarist. He was known to a wider television audience as the guitarist on The Arthur Godfrey Show, a position he held for 27 years from 1945. He was born Remo Paul Palmieri, but later dropped the final 'i' from his name. He was self-taught on guitar, and began his ...

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Details Bobby Forrester Funeral Update

Source: All About Jazz
November 26, 2002

Jazz Organist Bobby Forrester who played for such great vocalists as blues Singer Ruth Brown, and Irene Reid died. Funeral and body viewing is at:

Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home 6140 Woodhaven Blvd. Rego Park, N.Y. 11374 Their phone: (718) 441-3300

Internment on Wednesday at St. Ramous Cemetary in Bronx, New York on 11/27/02

Body may still be viewed today on Tuesday, November 26th, 2002 2-4 and 7 - 9 P.M. Bobby (Robert) Forrester ...

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Jazz Organist Bobby (Robert) Forrester Died

Source: All About Jazz
November 25, 2002

Jazz Organist Bobby Forrester who backed up such soul blues singers as Ruth Brown died.

Bobby Forester was a great organist who could play for any vocalists, and get down on the blues. At this time I only have the following information:

Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home 6140 Woodhaven Boulevard Rego Park, New York 11374 (718) 441-3300

Call the funeral home for body viewing and details. This news posted on Tuesday 11/26/02 by Hank ...

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Sir Roland Hanna: Pianist Was Jazz Aristocrat

Source: All About Jazz
November 21, 2002

Sir Roland Hanna was one of the group of players who sported titles derived from the British aristocracy, along with the various Dukes, Counts and Earls. Hanna's knighthood was a genuine one, however, bestowed by the government of Liberia in 1970 in recognition of fund-raising activities on behalf of Liberian children.

His position in the jazz aristocracy was earned through his elegant touch, inventive improvising abilities and versatile stylistic reach. He worked with leaders as diverse as Coleman Hawkins, Benny ...

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Jazz Pianist Sir Roland Hanna Dead!

Source: All About Jazz
November 19, 2002

On November 13th, 2002 Jazz Pianist Sir Roland Hanna died of a virus infection that caused cardiac arrest. Viewing of the body was held at: Trumbull's Funeral Home from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00P.M. on Saturday, November 16th, and Sunday, November 17th, 2002 at 100 St. Nicholas Avenue (Between 115th and 116th Street, N.Y. N.Y. 10026. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to: THE ROLAND HANNA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Make out checks to: The Roland Hanna ...

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