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.
JOE THOMAS, 84, on July 26. As a child, he learned to play alto and soprano saxophone, trombone, flute and piano, and taught himself to
WILLIAM MITCHELL, 94, on June 29 in Placenta, California after suffering multiple injuries from a recent fall. A stellar ragtime pianist since 1950, he had
KAREN MELTON, 73, on June 29 in St, Louis, MO following a series of debilitating strokes. A diploma graduate of the Research Hospital School of
BIRCHALL SMITH, 90, on June 28 in Morgan Hill, Californa. While an undergraduate at Purdue University in 1947, was co-founder and the cornetist of the
GERI ALLEN, 60, on June 27 from cancer in Philadelphia. A pianist/composer/educator, she was a Guggenheim Fellow and Director of Jazz Studies at the University
MICHAEL REILLY, 67, from cancer on May 26 in Danville, Calif. Originally from Chicago, he had a long and varied career that took him from
RICHARD HAWK, 82, on March 4 from a heart attack in Overland Park, Kansas. A successful entrepreneur who headed numerous ventures in the fields of
GREGG ALLMAN, 69, due to liver cancer complications on May 27 in Savannah, Georgia. A founding member of the Allman Brothers band, he overcame family
JOHN CIESLAK, 81, from cardiovascular issues on May 19 in Scottsdale, AZ. A multi-instrumentalist, best known as a longtime member of Igor’s Jazz Cowboys. Garbed
DAVE PELL, 92, on May 8 in Canoga Park, California. Played in the big bands of Tony Pastor, Bobby Sherwood, and several others in his
JACK IMEL, 84 on April 30 in Springville, California. Tap-dancing marimba player, singer, and television producer with the Lawrence Welk Show for 25 years (1957-82).
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
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
With the passing of Cam Miller, the traditional jazz community has lost a man who was universally loved and respected. While he was unable to
Former Frank Sinatra musical director Vincent Falcone, died March 24, in Torrance, California. He was 79. An extremely talented and versatile pianist, Falcone was diagnosed
Bob Erdos (1930-2017) Traditional jazz lost one of its greatest champions when Bob Erdos passed away on March 25 at the age of 86. Erdos,
LINDA HOPKINS, 92, on April 17 in Milwaukee, WI. A Tony-winning actress and singer, she performed gospel, blues, and rhythm & blues for more than
DAVE VALENTIN, 64, on March 8 in New York City from a 2012 stroke and subsequent cardiovascular events. A flutist who released more than 20
CHUCK BERRY, 90, on March 18 at his home in Wentzville, Missouri. A guitarist, singer and songwriter, he is considered “the Father of Rock and
JIM CZAK died on March 15, he was 71. Co-owner and the chief mixer at Nola Recording Studio in New York City. Having recorded a
HORACE PARLAN, 86, on Feb. 23 in Korsor, Denmark. A jazz pianist who was unable to use the middle two fingers of his right hand
JUNE BARNES, 92, on Jan. 16 in Ventura, Calif. Originally from St. Louis, MO, June was a string bass player with a number of bands
LARRY MUHOBERAC, 79, from dementia on Dec. 4 in Erina, New South Wales, Australia. A native of Louisiana, he began playing the piano and accordion
AL JARREAU, 76, on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles after being hospitalized for exhaustion. A versatile vocalist who defied categorization for decades, he was best
