Ira Sullivan died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at home in Miami on September 21. He had performed for a couple of Pensacola JazzFests and had also come to Pensacola to play for my daughter Marie’s wedding in 1986, so some recollections will be personal.
First, a bit of background on Ira. He grew up in Chicago in a musical family. He played trumpet, saxophone, and flute. It had been said that he could play any instrument with a mouthpiece. While in Chicago he played with a small group which entertained visiting jazz artists who came through the area. In such a position, for example, he had opportunity to play with the likes of Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
Ira was a committed Christian who proclaimed his faith but was humble and not overbearing about it. For example, "Amazing Grace" was always his closing number. Red Rodney traveled with Ira in the 80s and they played a Seville Quarter for a Jazz Society event. Betty and I had opportunity to have dinner with Rodney who told us. “I’m Jewish and Ira has been urging me to join the organization—Jews for Jesus!”
In the 1960s, Ira moved to the Miami area to have a more normal family life. He connected immediately with a loc
