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Obituary

R.I.P. Gene Lynn, singer and nightclub owner

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
March 8, 2015

Gene Lynn, the St. Louis singer and former nightclub owner sometimes described as “the black Frank Sinatra," has died. Friends reported today on Facebook that he passed away early Saturday morning after recently suffering a stroke and a recurrence of stomach cancer. Born Leon Campbell in Mobile, AL, the sixth of ten children, Lynn (pictured) graduated from Mobile County Training School and then moved with his family to St. Louis. He adopted his stage name and broke into the music ...

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Obituary

Orrin Keepnews (1923-2015)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 2, 2015

Orrin Keepnews, a jazz record producer whose taste in music, integrity and respect for artists resulted in a vast body of legacy recordings by Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley, Wes Montgomery and Bill Evans as well as dozens of other artists, died on March 1. He was 91. His Riverside label operated from 1953 to 1964. What set it apart from the competition was Orrin's devotion to his artists, many of whom repaid his support by finding him new talent. For ...

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Obituary

Orrin Keepnews, RIP

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
March 2, 2015

The influential jazz producer, record company head and author Orrin Keepnews died today at his home in El Cerrito, California. He would have been 92 tomorrow. Keepnews guided the recording careers of Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Rollins and many other leading jazz artists of the 20th Century. The announcement of his death came from his son Peter Keepnews, who with his brother David had flown from New York to their father’s bedside two days earlier. Keepnews is ...

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Obituary

Cephas Bowles, 62, Public Radio Advocate And Innovator, Dies

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations
February 25, 2015

Dover, NJ: Cephas Bowles, a staunch advocate for public radio and jazz for more than four decades and recently-retired CEO/President of WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM, died on Saturday, February 21, in Hackensack. His death, at Hackensack University Medical Center Hospital, followed complications from a stem cell transplant, said his wife, Linda. He was 62. A native of Newark and a resident of Dover, NJ, Bowles served as senior executive of WBGO-FM from 1993 to 2014, when he retired following a ...

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Obituary

RIP Clark Terry

Source: Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
February 23, 2015

The jazz world lost Clark Terry yesterday at age 94 after more than a decade of declining health. He was a jazz giant whose legacy extends far beyond being a trumpet player. Terry was a true NEA Jazz Master, bandleader and educator. He worked as a sideman in both the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras at varying times. And in the 1960s, he became the first black staff musician at NBC, playing for 12 years in The Tonight Show ...

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Obituary

Clark Terry (1920-2015)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
February 23, 2015

Clark Terry, one of the most admired and accomplished jazz trumpeters and flugelhornists of his generation who appeared on an astonishing 928 known jazz recording sessions and played in the Duke Ellington Orchestra throughout the 1950s before recording extensively as a freelancer, died on Feb. 21. He was 94. Like a tap dancer, Clark liked to work his way nimbly through up-tempo solos, frequently using a blowing style style that was reminiscent of what violinists do when playing with pizzicato. ...

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Obituary

Clark Terry Is Gone

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 23, 2015

Clark Terry has died at 94 following his long battle with the effects of advanced diabetes. His wife Gwen posted the announcement this morning on her Facebook page. Our beloved Clark Terry has joined the big band in heaven where he’ll be singing and playing with the angels. He left us peacefully, surrounded by his family, students and friends. Clark has known and played with so many amazing people in his life. He has found great joy in his friendships ...

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Obituary

Jazz Musician Clark Terry Dies at 94

Source: Michael Ricci
February 22, 2015

Longtime jazz musician and educator Clark Terry has died. He was 94. Al Hicks, director of the documentary about Clark's life, Keep on Keepin' On, told The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday. He had been in failing health for several years due to advanced diabetes and entered hospice earlier this month, Billboard reported. On Feb. 11, Terry's Facebook page informed followers of his declining health and transition into hospice care. “It is with a heavy heart we share that our beloved ...

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