Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes
Celebration of Life: Ben Powell
Please join us for a Jazz Funeral Second Line as we celebrate and honor the wonderful life of Ben Powell (1986-2024):
2 p.m. Saturday, November 9
1446 North White Street
New Orleans LA 70119
For more information and to RSVP, please click here.
Donations in memory of Ben can be made at: givedirectly.org
Celebration of Life: Gary Grant
Final Note: Edgardo Simone
Life Member. Composer
7/1/1952 – 4/25/2024
by Adriana Zoppo
Friend and colleague Edgardo Simone has died at the age of 71 from complications of a brain hemorrhage. Though he played the bass, his gift and talent was in orchestration. A high school dropout, he earned two Masters Degrees within nine months from the University of Oregon, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2007. Both Eastman School of Music and Harvard University offered him scholarships to pursue a Doctorate, but he decided to try Hollywood instead. Continue reading
Final Note: Joel B. Lish
Life Member. Viola/Conductor
3/11/1935 – 3/5/2024
Violist Joel Lish graduated from Verdugo Hills High School when he was just 16. He enrolled in the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and then later enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his last two years in the Air Force Joel was stationed in Okinawa. At the request of some of the local musicians he started a small group of string players and taught himself to conduct. Many years later Joel was quite surprised to learn that after he left Okinawa in 1957 this group continued and eventually evolved into the Okinawa Symphony, and that Joel is considered the founder of that orchestra! Continue reading
Final Note: Terry Frances Evans
3/27/1943 – 6/5/2024
Life Member. Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Terry Evans, jazz guitar extraordinaire, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on June 5, 2024. Continue reading
Final Note: John Thaddeus Perett
Life Member. Drum Set
1/11/1944 – 5/7/2024
John Perett passed away as a result of advanced dementia in Portland, OR on May 7, 2024. John was 80 years old. He was born in Cambridge, MA on January 11, 1944 to Constantino A. and Patricia D. Perett. Continue reading
In Memoriam: July 2024
A. Roy D’Antonio
Life Member. Clarinet
7/9/1931 – 5/27/2024
Member since: 6/11/1951
Joel B. Lish
Life Member. Viola
3/11/1935 – 3/5/2024
Member since: 7/7/1952
John Perett
Life Member. Drum Set
1/11/1944 – 5/7/2024
Member since: 6/13/1962 Continue reading
Final Note: Aurelio (Roy) D’Antonio
Life Member. Clarinet
7/9/1931 – 5/27/2024
by Chris French
Aurelio (Roy) D’Antonio was at home with his beloved wife, Margaret, when he passed from this earth on May 27 at age 92. He will be remembered as a virtuoso clarinetist, father and grandfather, teacher, friend, bicyclist, and tireless advocate for the underdog as he served in various capacities at Local 47. Continue reading
Final Note: Ben Lanzarone
Life Member. Piano
10/28/1938 – 2/16/2024
Ben Lanzarone, a native of Brooklyn, New York, celebrated composer/arranger/musical director/pianist, has passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Los Angeles. Continue reading