Obituary News

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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IAJE Founding Executive Director Passes Away at 89

Source: All About Jazz
November 5, 2002

Matt Betton, Executive Director Emeritus of the International Association for Jazz Education and founder of Manhattan Enterprises, Betton's Family Music Center, and Jazz Education Press passed away on November 3, 2002, at the Hospice Care Center in Loveland, Colorado.

As founding Executive Director of the National Association of Jazz Educators (later renamed the International Association for Jazz Education), Betton is credited with building the organization from the ground up during its first 20 years and establishing its reputation as the ...

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Dodo Marmarosa: Troubled Pianist Made Brief But Lasting Impact On Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
October 13, 2002

Michael “Dodo" Marmarosa was a reclusive personality who flitted in and out of jazz history after making an initial but lasting impact as one of the progenitors of bebop in the mid to late 1940s. He was said to have been a prodigiously gifted child at the piano in his native Pittsburgh, where his school mates included pianist Errol Garner. He studied classical piano before turning to jazz. He was given the rather unflattering nickname of Dodo because of his ...

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Modern /free jazz great, bassist Peter Kowald from Wuppertal Germany passed away at 2:00 am Saturday September 21, 2002 in NYC.

Source: All About Jazz
September 21, 2002

Peter Kowald bassist from Wuppertal Germany passed away at 2:00 am Saturday September 21, 2002 in NYC.

Kowald died of a heart attack at the home of Patricia and William Parker after playing a concert in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at B.T.M. with Masahiko Kono, Tatsuya Nakatani and Kazuhisa Uchihashi. Emergency workers tried to save him working intensely for 45 minutes.

Details regarding funeral arrangements and a memorial will be posted when we receive them.

Peter Kowald distinguished himself as one of ...

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Michael "Dodo" Marmarosa: Legendary jazz pianist

Source: Michael Ricci
September 20, 2002

Michael “Dodo" Marmarosa, a piano wunderkind who was for about a decade one of the most sought-after pianists in the history of jazz, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack. He was 76. For the past few years, Mr. Marmarosa was a resident at the VA Medical Center in Lincoln Lemington, where he occasionally played piano and organ for other residents and guests. On the day of his death, his sister, Doris Shepherd of Glenshaw, said he played a small ...

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Lionel Hampton: Vibes, Drums, Piano, Bandleader

Source: All About Jazz
September 15, 2002

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