Frank Ward (1930 – 2025)
Doug Swiatecki
October 20, 2025
On October 5, 2025, jazzman Frank Ward died. Frank was a greatly admired cornetist who was a longtime member of the historic Cakewalkin’ Jass Band.
For remembrances grouped by month as they ran in the print edition, including all entries prior to April 2018, look in the Final Chorus Archive, individual past issues, or use the search feature.
On October 5, 2025, jazzman Frank Ward died. Frank was a greatly admired cornetist who was a longtime member of the historic Cakewalkin’ Jass Band.
Trombonist and pianist Herb Gardner, a fixture of the New York and New England traditional-jazz scenes for more than six decades, passed away on September
David W. “Smiley” Wallace Jr., a lifelong champion of ragtime and early jazz in the Kansas City region, died on October 2, 2025. He was 93.
Scottish guitarist and banjoist Jim Douglas, one of the most respected figures in British traditional jazz, died in early October 2025 while living in the
Clarinetist Bob Draga, a beloved mainstay of the traditional jazz festival circuit, passed away on September 23, 2025, on his 78th birthday. Known for his
Raymond “Raybo” Boyce, a beloved voice of jazz radio in Central New York for more than three decades, died on September 20, 2025, at age
Pete Lay, drummer, bandleader, promoter, and longtime editor of Just Jazz magazine, died September 7, 2025 at age 78. A central figure in Britain’s traditional-jazz
Rick MacWilliams passed away on September 12th after a long illness; he was 81. While he wore many hats, including mechanical engineer, licensed councilor, volunteer
Carl Lunsford, a traditional jazz banjo player whose rhythmic style anchored many West Coast trad bands, passed away on August 5th in Sausalito, California, at
Alain Bouchet, the French trumpeter and cornetist, passed away on August 4th, he was 81. He began his career in the 1960s with groups like
David F. Gibson, a dynamic drummer whose rhythmic drive powered iconic big bands, passed away on July 30th, he was 72. Born in Philadelphia, he
Sheila Jordan, the pioneering jazz vocalist, passed away on August 11, 2025, in New York City. She was 96. Inspired by Charlie Parker, who she
Chuck Mangione, a flugelhorn player and composer whose early work shaped the ongoing legacy of swing, passed away on July 22nd. He was 84. Born
Cleo Laine, a British jazz singer whose voice shaped British jazz and standards singing, passed away on July 24th in Wavendon, England. She was 97.
Tom Lehrer, the pianist and musical satirist whose sharp-witted songs blended ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, and musical theater, passed away on July 26th in Cambridge,
Robert “Bob” Rann, renowned tubaist and a foundational figure in the traditional jazz revival movement, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at the age
Marjorie T. Scooros, affectionately known as Washboard Marj, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on April 5, 1941, Marj
Alan Bergman, the Oscar-winning lyricist whose timeless songs became jazz and pop standards, died July 17, 2025, at 99 in Los Angeles. With his wife,
John Cocuzzi, a vibraphonist, pianist, and drummer, well known to jazz party attendees, passed away on June 12, 2025, at 61. A Maryland native, Cocuzzi
Arthur Hamilton, the gifted songwriter best known for the classic jazz ballad “Cry Me a River,” died on May 20th. He claims to have never
Johnny Parth, founder of Document Records, died May 18, 2025, in Vienna, Austria, at 95. His label rescued pre-1943 jazz, blues, and gospel from obscurity,
George “Doc” Ryan, passed away on May 8, 2025, in Arkansas, just shy of his 96th birthday. Known for lyrical cornet playing and a charismatic
Edward Grogan passed away on April 5th; he was 98 years old. Born in Bolton, England, he was an officer of the Royal Navy during
Alvin Maurice Gotlieb passed away on April 6th; he was 84. He grew up in a musical family that had an informal family band. He
