Obituary News

Savoy Jazz Mourns the Passing of Paul "Huckle-Buck" Williams, July 13, 1915 - September 14, 2002

Source: All About Jazz

Saxophonist and bandleader Paul Williams, who scored one of the first big hits of the R&B era in 1949 with “The Huckle-Buck," based on Charlie Parker's “Now's the Time," died of cardiac arrest on Saturday, September 14. His funeral service was held on Friday, September 20, at Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 W. 138th Street, in Harlem, NYC. Williams is survived by his three children: sons, Earl and Eric, and a daughter, Erin.

“Paul “Huckle-Buck" Williams had the biggest selling record ...

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Noted NY Pianist Frank Hewitt Passes

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist Frank Hewitt, born October 23, 1935, died Thursday 9/5/02 of complications from cancer.

Frank Hewitt was a mainstay on the NY jazz scene from the mid-1950s until his passing. He played as a sideman with many notable musicians, including Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, John Coltrane, Howard McGhee, Cecil Payne, Arthur Prysock, and appeared frequently with the late Clarence “C" Sharpe. He appeared in 1961 in The Living Theater's production of The Connection. Over the last eight years, Frank was ...

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Pianist Frank Hewitt Passes Sept. 5, 2002

Source: All About Jazz

With deep sadness, I have to report that pianist Frank Hewitt succumbed to cancer yesterday (9/5) at 9:30 AM at the age of 66. Since the mid 1950s, Frank had been one of the mainstays of the New York jazz scene. Born Oct 23, 1935 in Queens, he grew up in Harlem in Sugar Hill. In 1961, he appeared in The Living Theater's famous production of The Connection, playing alongside Cecil Payne. Over the years, Frank worked extensively as a ...

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Panamanian Flutist Mauricio Smith Dies

Source: All About Jazz

Panamanian flutist Mauricio Smith passed away Saturday, August 3 at 11 p.m.

Mauricio Smith emerged briefly as a solo star in the mid- to late '60s after a long association with Vincentico Valdes, the La Plata Sextet, Joe Valle, and the Joe Cuba Sextet. The son of a flautist who played with the Panama Symphony, he studied at Panama City's National Conservatory of Music, and became a fixture on television and in nightclubs in South and Central America, Puerto Rico, ...

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Bassist Bobby Rodr

Source: All About Jazz

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Russ Freeman: Important West Coast Pianist Dies at 76

Source: All About Jazz

Born May 28, 1926, Pianist Russ Freeman (full name Russell Donald Freeman) was best known for his work with trumpeter Chet Baker and drummer Shelly Manne in the 1950s. Although born in Chicago, he did most of his playign and recording in Los Angeles (although he did record with Serge Chaloff in Boston in 1954). He worked with most if not all of the major West Coast jazz names, including Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Sonny Criss, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, ...

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Billboard Editor In Chief Timothy White Dies

Source: All About Jazz

Timothy White, Billboard's editor in chief and a giant of music journalism, died suddenly today in New York. He was 50.

White apparently suffered a heart attack after returning to the Billboard offices from lunch with a long-time friend. He was unable to be revived after being rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. White leaves behind his wife, Judy, and their 10-year-old twin sons, Christopher and Alexander.

White's sudden passing left the Billboard offices in a ...

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Gwen Cleveland Jazz/Gospel Vocalist Dead

Source: All About Jazz

Gwen Cleveland (vocalist) who was known for her hard driving blues died on June 7th, 2002 after suffering illness. Funeral Services were held at Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home in Flushing, New York on Wednesday, June 12th, 2002. Reverend Dale. R. Lind, conducted services. Many top musicians showed up to pay their respects some of which included Walter Perkins,Walter Kelly,Ulysses Slaughter,Ed Stoute, John Dooley,bass,Hank Johnson,and many others.

GWEN CLEVELAND January 10th, 1929 - June 7th, 2002

Gwen Cleveland was laid to rest ...

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