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Obituary

Leon Spencer Jr. (1945-2012)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 29, 2012

Leon Spencer Jr., one of the most melodically funky organists during Prestige's Hammond B-3 era in the early 1970s and whose voicings and guitar-like touch on the instrument provided a powdery groove behind lead horn players, died on March 11. He was 66 and lived in Houston. Spencer's recording career began in 1968 but didn't become significant in small-group settings until Lou Donaldson's Pretty Things in June 1970. Spencer's style wasn't as bombastic as Charles Earland's nor was it as ...

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Obituary

Khalil Shaheed, Oakland Jazz Trumpeter And Educator, Dies At 63

Source: Michael Ricci
March 28, 2012

A genre-bending trumpeter known for his ability to bridge distinct styles, Khalil Shaheed had a passion for music matched only by his desire to teach. That passion kept him active despite the toll lung cancer was taking on his body. Three weeks ago, the Oakland resident was teaching at Oaktown Jazz Workshops, the youth music program he founded in 1994. “He kept doing it as long as he could," said his widow, Kate Shaheed. The renowned jazz musician died Friday ...

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Obituary

Jazz Radio Host Chuck Workman Dies

Source: Michael Ricci
March 28, 2012

Popular WICR host, a veteran broadcast professional, died Sunday at his home harles “Chuck" Workman, a veteran of Indianapolis broadcasting who was best-known as a courtly, smooth-voiced spokesman for jazz, died Sunday at his home. He was found after failing to report to WICR-FM, where he hosted two jazz shows three days a week. A station employee, not getting a response at Workman's address Sunday afternoon, called police, who forced entry and discovered the body. “Chuck was a special person ...

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Obituary

Cape Cod Trumpeter Lou Colombo Dies

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
March 7, 2012

Our prayers, sorrow and appreciation go out to the family of Lou Colombo, legendary jazz trumpet player on Cape Cod, who died in a car accident in Ft. Meyer, Florida this week. The Brockton-born musician played on Monday nights for decades at the family-owned Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis, building a faithful clientele who loved top flight jazz. That fan base included many performers who came to play at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, including Colombo's friend Tony Bennett. Colombo also ...

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Obituary

R.I.P., Eddie Fritz

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
March 2, 2012

Though there's been no published obituary or other official announcement, StLJN has learned that longtime St. Louis jazz pianist Eddie Fritz has died at age 70. The news of his passing comes from guitarist Steve Schenkel, who on Tuesday posted a message on Facebook with remembrances of Fritz. The pianist, who lived in Webster Groves, apparently had been in poor health for some time, but no cause of death was mentioned. Eddie Fritz's career stretched back to St. Louis' Gaslight ...

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Obituary

Jazz Face: Red Holloway, 1927-2012

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
February 28, 2012

One of the still-active veterans of bebop, saxophonist Red Holloway died on February 25th at age 84. And he went down swinging—he had been touring through September 2011 with the Lionel Hampton All-Stars and, although he had postponed some dates this winter, had some upcoming on his 2012 calendar. Red was best known for his work with Sonny Stitt in the late 70s—early 80s, and more recently with Clark Terry and Kevin Mahogany. He was a favorite among vocalists like ...

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Obituary

Frank Jolliffe, "Touchstyle" Guitarist, Dies at 53

Source: Bob Kenselaar
February 28, 2012

Jazz instrumentalist and music educator Frank Jolliffe, 53, died of a heart attack on February 8. Jolliffe originally embarked on his musical career playing electric guitar, but made an early switch to the Chapman Stick, the electric stringed instrument designed by Emmet Chapman in the 1970s and played by tapping its fret board with the fingers of both hands, rather than being strummed or plucked. Later in his career, Jolliffe played the Warr guitar, a similar instrument designed by Mark ...

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Obituary

Jazz Drumming Legend Jimmy Junebug Jackson Has Died

Source: Karen Frieske
January 29, 2012

Jazz drumming legend and Blue Canoe Recording Artist Jimmy “Junebug" Jackson has died. He was 55. Jackson's family announced that the musician died on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 in Washington, DC where he lived and performed until his death from congestive heart failure. For over twenty years, Jackson toured the world with legendary organist Jimmy Smith. In his time with Smith, Jackson performed with jazz greats McCoy Tyner, George Benson, Christian McBride, Mose Davis and many others. His latest recording ...

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