We are saddened to report that Thomas Dutart, a past President of the Basin Street Regulars/Central Coast Hot Jazz Society in Pismo Beach, and supporter of the Pismo Beach Jazz Jubilee By The Sea, was murdered on Tuesday evening, June 19th, outside of his home in a quiet Santa Maria California senior living community, he was 82.
The circumstances are still under investigation and police have no suspects in what appears to be a completely random attack. Dutart was in the immediate vicinity of his home when he was stabbed at around 11:20pm. It is unclear whether it was he, or his wife Linda, who phoned the police, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police have ruled out any domestic motive.
Dutart was originally from Stockton California and taught generations of students at the nearby Sequoia Elementary School in the Manteca Unified School District. A former student, Alvie Lindsay, commented on one of the many news reports about the tragedy saying:
Mr. Dutart was beloved in Manteca, where he taught generations of students. He was my 6th-grade teacher at Sequoia School. He was known for his good humor, compassion and his love of music, which he shared generously with the entire community.
Dutart was always civic minded. After moving to Santa Maria in his retirement he became involved with the Old Orcutt OASIS Senior Center where he became music directo
