Jazz...and His Dead Friends

Then and Now — New CD by Sidney Eden, with Joe Albany, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Jimmy Raney, Richard Davis and Mel Lewis.

J. R.Taylor in New York Press

Jane "Janie" New Dorsey, the widow of the late bandleader Tommy Dorsey, died Sunday 24th August, 2003 of natural causes at her Bay Harbor Island home. She was 79.

Jane was working in Hollywood as a dancer and an extra in movies when she met the famous orchestra leader and trombone player in the mid 1940s. The couple married March 27, 1948, in Atlanta and honeymooned on Dorsey's yacht, The Sentimentalist.

After Dorsey's death in 1956 at his home in Greenwich, Conn., Janie obtained the rights to her husband's band and organized a new group called The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, which today gives more than 275 performances a year across the country.

Elizabeth Welch—Stormy Weather

The actress and singer Elizabeth Welch has died in Northolt, Middlesex, aged 99.

Call Stars poster

Poster of the 1936 film Song of Freedom,
starring Paul Robeson and Elizabeth Welch.

22nd April, 2003
Nina Simone has died in Paris, aged 70.

Henry Samuel in the Daily Telegraph

Dr. Nina Simone - the official Nina Simone website

Obituary

Veteran trumpeter and civil-rights pioneer Walter Fuller has died, aged 93.
Fuller, a jazz trumpeter who helped establish the San Diego jazz scene in the 1940s and became an advocate of civil rights for the city's black musicians and club patrons, was believed to be the last surviving original member of Earl "Fatha" Hines' 1930s big band. He died on April 20 at a health-care facility in San Diego.

Obituary: All About Jazz
Photo: Jazz is Timeless

April 20th, 2003
The tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards has died in Los Angeles, aged 78. Teddy played with, among many others, Howard McGhee, Howard Rumsey, Max Roach, Benny Goodman, and the bands of Benny Carter and Gerald Wilson. He worked as a composer and arranger for television and radio during the 1970s, but continued to tour and record frequently in the 1980s.

Teddy Edwards, from Jackson, Mississippi, is one of the not-so-cool West Coast heroes. He settled in Los Angeles in 1945 and joined the group of trumpeter Howard McGhee. Edwards established himself as a key figure on the LA modem jazz scene. His 1947 recording, Blues In Teddy’s Flat became a million-seller and he played a large part in the development of bop on the West Coast.

...The three horn players were in tremendous form—(Conte) Candoli producing classic bebop lines with enormous vitality, (Carl) Fontana playing with that characteristic warm sound, controlled power and stunning technique and Teddy Edwards holding forth on tenor with great fire and passion.
Mike Hennessey in 2001

We all have such admiration and love for great jazz tenor man, Teddy Edwards. Despite his debilitating illness Teddy continues to play and thrill audiences throughout southern California.
Howard Lucraft in 2003

Obituary: Los Angeles Times
For a fine photo of Teddy by Howard Morehead see Stanford Jazz Festival 2002

7th April, 2003
The German jazz pianist Jutta Hipp has died in New York, aged 78.

Jutta was one of the best European jazz pianists of the fifties. She led a quintet for some years before going to New York, where she recorded for Blue Note and other minor labels. Jutta´s style followed in the steps of the Lennie Tristano school.

Steve Schwartz, producer of Jazz From Studio 4, broadcast every Sunday from 8pm-1am on WGBH, 89.7 Boston, informs that "it appears that she died without family or friends to help her. Some neighbors in her apartment building, one of whom is a nurse with the city of New York, helped to care for her after she was discharged from the hospital. Her brother lives in Germany and is too ill to come to the U.S. although he visited her last summer. Lee Konitz and his wife called Jutta occasionally and visited her when they came to the U.S. Jutta seems to have had insufficient funds for a burial or a funeral, and she willed her body to Columbia University."
Posted by Jose Domingos Raffaelli on Jazz 52nd St. Street Talk

Obituary:

Ruby Braff

The cornettist Ruby Braff has died in Massachusetts, aged 75.

One of the most melodic improvisers in the history of jazz. (Steve Voce)

Obituary:
Obituary: Daily Telegraph

Interviews

Cy Touff

Cy Touff, 75, the bass trumpet player who played with Woody Herman, Charlie Ventura, Stan Kenton, Boyd Raeburn and Ray McKinley, died Friday, Jan. 24, in St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois.

Cyril James Touff was born on March 4^th 1927 in Chicago. Already at the age of six he could give a good account of himself, first on xylophone and piano, then C–Melody Saxophone before taking up trumpet. When he was seventeen he played trombone in an army band from 1944 to 1946. In the band with him were Red Mitchell and Conte Candoli. After the army Cy returned to Chicago, studied with Lennie Tristano and worked with Bill Russo, Ray McKinley, Charlie Ventura and Boyd Raeburn. Then he took up the bass trumpet and played with Woody Herman, recording and touring the USA and Europe with Woody from 1953 to 1956. During this time he also appeared on several recordings with a nine–piece group run by pianist Nat Pierce and trumpeter Dick Collins, both also members of the Herman Herd. Cy led some West Coast jazz groups for a while, then returned to Chicago once more, where he worked as a free–lance. He recorded some tracks as the leader of a Dixieland sextet, and later in a quintet playing hard bop. In 1957 he worked with Chubby Jackson and the singer Lorez Alexandria; later still with drummer Fred Wacker and Clifford Jordan in the sextet Hyde Park after Dark. Cy remained in Chicago from then onwards as a studio musician, making frequent very popular appearances in local groups, and appearing at Newport Beach in 1999 in the Jazz West Coast II concert with his octet Keester Parade.

I always enjoyed hearing Cy play. When I lived in Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I heard Ears play at Andy's every Tuesday night from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. They were terrific. Cy was a great guy! George Spink (Tuxedo Junction)

Photo: Tuxedo Junction

William Russo

The composer William Russo has died in Chicago.

Obituary: Chicago Tribune
Curtis Lawrence in Chicago Sun-Times

Tribute

Ron Goodwin

The film composer Ron Goodwin has died, aged 77.

Interview

Eric Jupp

The pianist and composer Eric Jupp has died in Launceston, Australia aged 80. Born in Brighton Jupp started his career at the age of 14 in a local nightclub with a band called the Dark Town Strutters. He later played in many British big bands, including those of Oscar Rabin and Les Evans, later leading his own very successful concert orchestra. He emigrated to Australia in 1960 and conducted numerous orchestras including the ABC band and orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Eric Jupp wrote the music score for the immensely popular Australian television series Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. He was also well known for his role in the ABC TV series The Magic of Music, and wrote the music for television shows Shannons Mob and the Australian version of This Is Your Life.

Photo taken in 1949 shows Eric Jupp (left) with Oscar Rabin and Harry Davis. The man at the back is trumpeter Ron Simmonds

Don Lusher

Jazz Professional salutes trombonist and bandleader Don Lusher upon his well–deserved award of the OBE for services to the Music Industry.

Interview

Klaus Doldinger

DER JAZZMUSIKER, KOMPONIST und GEMA-Aufsichtsrat Klaus Doldinger wurde von Bundespräsident Johannes Rau mit dem Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ausgezeichnet. Klaus Doldinger gilt als eine der wichtigsten Stimmen des deutschen Jazz. Vor allem mit seiner Gruppe Passport machte er den Jazz made in Germany weltweit bekannt. Der in Berlin geborene Klaus Doldinger setzte darüber hinaus mit seinen Kompositionen für Film und Fernsehen internationale Standards in der Unterhaltungsmusik. Aus seiner Feder stammt unter anderem die Musik zu den Filmen Das Boot, Die unendliche Geschichte, Salz. auf unserer Haut, Wolff's Revier und Liebling Kreuzberg. Seine Filmmusik zu Das Boot wurde 1996 mit der Goldenen Schallplatte ausgezeichnet. Neben zahlreichen Ehrungen erhielt Klaus Doldinger 1978 das Bundesverdienstkreuz für die wichtigen, unüberhörbaren Impulse, die er dem musikalischen Bereich des deutschen Kulturlebens gegeben hat. Klaus Doldinger und seine Gruppe Passport wurden 1976 und 1981 mit dem Deutschen Schallplattenpreis geehrt. 1999 wurde er mit dem Paul Linke-Ring der Stadt Goslar für sein musikalisches Gesamtwerk ausgezeichnet. Im Jahr 2000 erhielt Klaus Doldinger im Rahmen der Frankfurter Musikmesse den Frankfurter Musikpreis.
Gema Brief of January, 2003

The jazz musician, composer and member of the supervisory board of GEMA Klaus Doldinger was recently awarded the German Service Cross. The presentation was made by Bundespresident Johannes Rau. Klaus Doldinger has become one of the most important figures on the German jazz scene. His group Passport has brought world-wide recognition to Jazz Made In Germany. Berlin-born Doldinger has set international standards with his compositions for film and television, among them the music for the film Das Boot (The Boat). The music for this film earned the Gold Record in 1966. In 1978 he received the German Service Medal in recognition of the impulse and energy his music has brought to German culture. Klaus and his group Passport further earned the German Record Prize in 1976 and 1981. In 1999 the city of Goslar awarded him the Paul Linke Ring for his musical achievements, and in the year 2000, during the Frankfurt Music Fair, he received the Frankfurt Music Prize.

Photo: Wiehl Impressionen

Al Tinney

The pianist Al Tinney has died in Buffalo at the age of 81. A legendary Buffalo music figure, the man known as 'Doctor T' played with many jazz greats. In 1935 he appeared, as a child performer, in the original production of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tinney played for many years in Buffalo, during which time he worked with visiting jazz musicians including, among others, Billy Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

Arvell Shaw

The bassist Arvell Shaw has died on December 5th, 2002 in Manhattan, aged 79.
A stalwart sideman of Louis Armstrong for many years. Read the great Ken Burns interview below.

The Interview
Steve Voce in Independent News

Bob Berg

The tenor saxophonist Bob Berg has died, at the age of 51, in a road accident in Amaganset, USA on 5th December, 2002.

Report on Newsday
Tribute

Norbert Schultze

The German composer Norbert Schultze, for many years President of the German GEMA, and composer of the world-famous wartime song, Lili Marleen, died on 14th October, 2002 at the age of 91 in Bad Tölz.

Report

The pianist, composer and conductor Stanley Black, OBE has died, aged 89.

After working for a while as pit pianist at the Empress Kinema, Islington Black joined drummer Maurice Burman's Band in 1930. While with this band he won the Melody Maker arranging contest. He worked for a short time with Sydney Lipton's band, accompanied Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson at London Palladium in late 1931. Stanley played with various bands, including those of Joe Orlando, Howard Jacobs, Maurice Winnick and Lew Stone. While with Stone he recorded several titles with Coleman Hawkins. After a brief episode with Teddy Joyce he then worked regularly with Harry Roy from January 1936 until 1940. After a trip to South America with the Roy band he joined Ambrose, spent a short time in the Royal Air Force and rejoined Harry Roy later. Black then began to concentrate on arranging and conducting. He became the leader of the BBC Dance Orchestra in 1944, then became musical director for Associated Pathe. This led to much composing and conducting for films, television and recordings. Black also appeared as a guest conductor for various classical orchestras throughout the world. He was awarded the OBE in 1985.

Much–loved trumpeter John McLevy has died, aged 75.

John was born in Dundee, Scotland, on the 2nd of January 1927. His father was a semi-pro drummer who led his own band. As a teenager John took up the trumpet and played briefly with George Elrick's band before joining the Black Watch Regiment. In 1948 he joined Les Ayling at the Lyceum, London, but returned to Dundee a year later to work with bassist Joe Gibson's Band, and later Bernie Stanton at the Locarno. John then joined Bert Tobias at Glasgow Casino in 1950, before returning to London. There he worked until 1954 in Cyril Stapleton's BBC Show Band. John spent almost ten years with Francisco Cavez at the Savoy Hotel, London, then became freelance in the London studios. During this period he played with the Bobby Lamb–Ray Premru Big Band, and was featured soloist on several of Benny Goodman's European tours. From the mid 1970s he played in a small group led by accordionist Jack Emblow; later in a duo with veteran trumpeter Tommy McQuater. In the 1980s John also played in Bob Wilber's Big Band.

Photo: Talking to Vibist Peter Appleyard (left) in the Benny Goodman Band of 1972.

The Blackpool drummer and orchestra contractor Arthur Dakin has died.

Arthur worked in almost every theatre in Blackpool and was a member of the Blackpool Modern Tam Club. He married singer Jacqueline Stilwell, who was, at the time, featured in the Eric Robinson TV show. He later accompanied the popular singing group The Bachelors on a twice-nightly tour of British towns with an orchestra led by Stuart Atkins. Before moving south, Dakin was one of the busiest drummers in Blackpool, being first call for most of the theatres. He became well-established in the London area and, as well as working extensively with the Bachelors, had many freelance TV and recording commitments. Arthur played tuned percussion in the London Palladium Orchestra, accompanying Golden Boy, featuring Sammy Davis Jr.

Bill Berry

The trumpeter Bill Berry has died in Los Angeles, aged 72, after a distinguished career that began with the Herb Pomeroy band in 1955. He went on to play with Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Duke Ellington and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band. In 1964 he formed the New York Big Band; later, in Los Angeles he formed another called the L.A. Big Band. Bill toured England in the 1980s with Louis Bellson and Benny Carter. He was much in demand in the Los Angeles studios.

Interviews: Bill Berry
Obituary:

Roland Hanna

The pianist Roland Hanna has died in New Jersey, aged 70.

Interviews: Roland Hanna
Obituary:

RAY Conniff, the composer, trombone player and bandleader who won a Grammy Award for his recording of the "Dr Zhivago" theme "Somewhere My Love", has died. He was 85.

Conniff died at Palomar Medical Centre in Escondido on Saturday after falling down and hitting his head, San Diego medical examiner's investigator Angela Wagner told The Associated Press.

Conniff had more than 100 recordings and produced 25 Top 40 albums for Columbia Records.

Toronto Star obituary
Interviews

Dodo Marmarosa

The pianist Michael "Dodo" Marmarosa has died in Pittsburgh aged 76

Giant among jazz pianists, with a beautiful feel for melodic improvisation.
Steve Voce in Independent
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lionel Hampton

Saturday, August 31st, 2002
Jazz Legend Lionel Hampton has died in New York aged 94

Tributes

Ronnie Stephenson

The drummer Ronnie Stephenson has died in Dundee, Scotland, Thursday, 8th August, 2002, aged 65.

Profile
Steve Voce in Independent News

Photo: Drummer World

Russ Freeman

The pianist Russ Freeman died on June 27th, 2002, aged 76.

John Fordham in The Guardian

Peter Matz

Musical director, composer and arranger Peter Matz died on Friday, August 9th 2002 in Los Angeles of lung cancer. He was 73. In a 50-year career of providing music for plays, movies and television, Matz worked on shows featuring such stars as Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach and Carol Burnett. In recent years, Matz held fund-raising concerts to benefit AIDS victims, accompanied by his wife, singer Marilynn Lovell. He won an Emmy Award for the 1970 TV special The Sound of Burt Bacharach.

Photo: Peter Matz with Barbra Streisand (Columbia Records) Courtesy of Mark Iskowitz

Idrees Sulieman

The gifted trumpeter Idrees Sulieman (Leonard Graham) has died in St.Petersburg, Florida aged 78.

Photo by Karlheinz Fürst - The Weck, Worscht un Woi website

Marion Montgomery

The jazz singer, Marion Montgomery, who was discovered by Peggy Lee and whose fans included Frank Sinatra, has died, aged 67.
See BBC Entertainment report
Les Tomkins interview

Photo by Dennis Matthews

Bassist Ray Brown has died, aged 75.

See Campbell Burnap in Independent

Peter Vacher in The Guardian

Interview with Les Tomkins and Arthur Johnson

Lennie Bush: For me, he was the greatest bass player who ever lived. His walking lines were rock solid, with a beautiful depth of sound, and anyone could understand his solos - there was so much logic to them. Talking to Campbell Burnap

Nellie Monk, widow of Thelonius
has died.