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Frank Driggs, 1930-2011
Frank Driggs, a tireless jazz researcher and historian who collected photographs familiar to millions, died this week at the age of 81. In the1950s as a producer for Columbia Records, Driggs oversaw the organizing and reissuing of historically important recordings by Billie Holiday, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington and Gene Krupa. In 1991, he won a Grammy ...
Jazz Trumpeter and Mentor Chuck Miller Dies
The Jazz World Says Farewell To Another Music Legend Former UNO Adjunct Professor of Black Studies Charles (Chuck) Miller, widely respected for his musical talent and dedication to Omaha's “at risk" youth, passed away on Saturday, September 17, at a local hospital. Chuck Miller was mentor to many of Omaha's finest musicians. He was awarded the ...
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (1936-2011): An Appreciation
Willie “Big Eyes" Smith, a former sideman with Muddy Waters who became a Grammy-winning performer in his own right, has died. A new message on his Web site reads: “We are deeply saddened to report that Willie “Big Eyes" Smith passed away early the morning of September 16, 2011 at his home in Chicago from a ...
Graham Collier, 1937-2011
raham Collier died last night at home in Greece. A British composer, author and bandleader on the forward edge of modern music, Collier was 74. Early reports are that he succumbed suddenly to a massive heart attack or stroke. From the announcement by Birmingham Jazz: Graham Collier had a major influence on British jazz, being one ...
Statement from Gamble & Huff of Passing of Nick Ashford
Joint Statement from Legendary R&B Production Team Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff on Passing of Nick Ashford of Legendary Songwriting Duo Ashford & Simpson Ashford produced Gamble & Huff smash “I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" for Motown; Ashford & Simpson were key link between Motown Sound and Sound of Philadelphia Philadelphia: “Nick Ashford was truly ...
Legendary R&B Songwriting Team Gamble & Huff on the Passing of Jerry Leiber
Leon Huff played piano on numerous Leiber & Stoller classics From Leon Huff: “Jerry Lieber was a great inspiration and was vital to the start of my songwriting career. I also had the fortunate opportunity to play piano on many Leiber & Stoller recording sessions as a musician in the early days. When I had dreams ...
Jerry Leiber (1933-2011)
Lyricist Jerry Leiber died on Monday at age 78. As I write in today's Wall Street Journal (go here), Leiber was the first major wordsmith of the rock 'n' roll era, composing hundreds of songs with writing partner Mike Stoller starting in 1952. His list of hits includes Hound Dog, Kansas City, Jailhouse Rock, Love Potion ...
Jeanne Carroll, "First Lady of Chicago Blues" Passed Away in Brussels
By Ron Templin Jazz singer Jeanne Carroll suffered a massive heart attack on Sunday, Austus 7, 2011, while she was performing on stage with her daughter Karen Carroll at the 11th Annual Blues Oan Daa Stoazze in Hamme, Belgium. At approx. 9,30 pm GMT+1, while into the fourth song “All Of Me," Jeanne collapsed. Fortunately, the ...
Frank Foster (1928-2011)
Frank Foster, whose pouncing tenor sax and swinging arranging style helped update Count Basie's New Testament Band with a seemingly endless stream of blues surprises from 1953 onward, died on July 26 in Chesapeake, VA. He was 82. In a band crowded with saxophone talent, Foster and Frank Wes anchored the reed section like a pair ...
NEA Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster
NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman's Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster “On behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, it is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of 2002 NEA Jazz Master Frank Foster. An extraordinary saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator, Frank Foster's contributions to jazz are numerous. We ...
