DICK CONTINO, 87, on April 19 in Fresno, California. A hip-swiveling accordionist and singer as a teenage star in the 1940s, he won $5,000 in winning the Horace Heidt Talent Contest (1948-49). Best known for his rendition of “Lady of Spain,” he performed for 60 years, well into his 80s, earning $4,000 a week at the height of his career playing his “stomach Steinway.” He appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show 48 times and starred in the 1959 movie, Daddy-O as well as several B-rated films.
ANN SNEED, 87, from cancer on April 21 in Las Vegas. Her love of jazz led her to create an organization that for 35 years promoted concerts and sent top performers into schools to preach the value of music and education. She founded the non-profit International Art of Jazz, which operated from 1964 until 1999. Among the musicians who played IAJ concerts were Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Billy Taylor, and Marian McPartland. Ann Sneed was also active in the American Federation of Jazz Societies.
JACK IMEL, 84 on April 30 in Springville, California. Tap-dancing marimba player, singer, and television producer with the Lawrence Welk Show for 25 y
