Gene Ludwig, 1937-2010 (0)

Posted 15 July, 2010 in Jazz, Music, My poems, Obits, Poetry

Organist Gene Ludwig passed away yesterday, July 14, 2010. I didn’t know him well, but he was a guest on The Jazz Session in August, 2009, and we spoke several times in person and by phone and email. Gene and his wife Pattye were extremely kind to me and to everyone with whom I saw them interact, particularly during Gene’s performance last year in Schenectady, NY. My thoughts are with Pattye and with their families at this time.

Gene’s Schenectady gig inspired a poem that appears in my book, Unexpected Sunlight. You can read the poem here at jasoncrane.org.

Studs Terkel, RIP (0)

Posted 31 October, 2008 in Obits, Politics & Activism

Studs Terkel died today at 96. Here’s the obit from the New York Times.

Thanks for everything, Studs!

Dorothy Flanders (1916-2008) (0)

Posted 17 September, 2008 in Family, Obits

My grandmother, Dorothy Flanders, died yesterday morning at the age of 92. I’ll write more soon, but here is her obituary:

Dorothy Flanders

Dorothy Flanders Beloved wife, mother, grandmother CANANDAIGUA – Dorothy M. Flanders, age 92, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bernard J. Flanders of Canandaigua; two daughters, Linda Jacquot of Dresden and Sally (David) Gustavson of Canandaigua; five grandchildren, Tamara Jacquot of Dresden, N.Y., Todd Jacquot of Arizona, Jason (Jennifer) Crane of Albany, N.Y., Gretchen Gustavson of Chili and Dana Cordice of Canandaigua; three great-grandchildren, Sarah Jacquot and Bernard and John Crane; and nieces, Denise (John) Breen of Kentucky and Jill Sohl of Maryland. Mrs. Flanders and her husband moved to Canandaigua from Arizona in 2000. There will be no calling hours. Services are private. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Pittsfield, Mass. Memorial contributions may be made for M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center to F.F. Thompson Foundation, 350 Parrish St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home Inc., Canandaigua.

I miss you, Grandma.

The Family, 2002
Front, left to right: Bernie Crane, Sally Gustavson, Tamara Jacquot
Middle: Jason Crane, Bernie Flanders, Dorothy Flanders
Rear: Gretchen Gustavson, Linda Jacquot, Jennifer Crane, Dave Gustavson

Dorothy and Bernie Flanders, married for 68 years

Arthur C. Clarke dead at 90 (0)

Posted 18 March, 2008 in Obits

Here’s the obituary from The New York Times.

Max Roach, R.I.P. (0)

Posted 16 August, 2007 in Jazz, Obits

Master drummer Max Roach died today at the age of 83. Here’s the story from the New York Times:

• Max Roach, a Founder of Modern Jazz, Dies at 83

Kurt Vonnegut (0)

Posted 17 April, 2007 in Obits

I haven’t written anything yet about the death of my favorite writer, Kurt Vonnegut. He’s such a foundation stone in my life, my humor (such as it is), and my appreciation of the world around me. I’ll add to these thoughts soon, but for now let me say:

So it goes.

Tyrone Hill, RIP (0)

Posted 20 March, 2007 in Jazz, Music, Obits

Tyrone Hill, trombonist with the Sun Ra Arkestra, died March 11 at age 58.

Read the full story.

Another passing in the jazz community (0)

Posted 2 February, 2007 in Jazz, Music, Obits

Legendary jazz writer Whitney Balliett died yesterday at 80. Balliett covered jazz from its emergence as popular music through the bebop era and beyond.

Here are obituaries in the New York Sun and The Washington Post.

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