Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes

Final Note: Bill Henderson

bill-henderson-quartet_f_3_400_1Vocalist
3/19/1926 – 4/3/2016

Bill Henderson, jazz vocalist and actor, has died of natural causes in Los Angeles, California.

Born in Chicago in 1926, William Randall Henderson made his show business debut as a singer and dancer at age 4. His father taught him the value of singing softly. He spent his teens and twenties fluctuating between school, day jobs, and trying to make it as a singer. A stint I the army provided him an opportunity to work with Vic Damone, and in 1956 Henderson made his way to New York. The jazz community took notice and his break came the following year when he recorded “Señor Blues” for Blue Note Records. A jukebox hit, the recording stands as one of the biggest selling jingles in the label’s history. Continue reading

May 2016 In Memoriam

David L. Belknap
Trumpet
8/2/1939 – 3/16/2016
Survived by spouse

Jack W. Eskew
Life Member. Trumpet
6/29/1940 – 2/6/2016
Survived by siblings

Arni E. Heiderich
Life Member. String Bass
6/25/1927 – 3/27/2016
Survived by children

Matthew J. Saporita
Life Member. Saxophone
4/28/1923 – 3/23/2016
Survived by children

Frank Sinatra Jr.
Life Member. Piano
1/10/1944 – 3/16/2016
Survived by mother

Newly reported:

Joel A. Scott
Piano
7/22/1956 – 10/5/2015
Survived by siblings

Bill Stroub
Life Member. Guitar
2/26/1926 – 6/16/2015
Survived by spouse & child

April 2016 In Memoriam

William H. Earl
Life Member. Guitar
8/26/1923 – 2/12/2016
Survived by spouse & children

Jimmy Haskell
aka Sheridan Pearlman
Life Member. Composer
11/7/1926 – 2/4/2016
Survived by children

Stephens LaFever
Life Member. Bass
3/27/1932 – 12/9/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Robert R. Malsack
Life Member. Piano
6/1/1929 – 1/23/2016
Survived by grandson & family

Brian D. O’Connor
Horn
12/6/1951 – 3/4/2016
Survived by friend

Final Note: Brian O’Connor

brian oconnor

In Loving Remembrance:

BRIAN O’CONNOR
Horn
(12/6/1951 – 3/4/2016)

By Marie Matson

Brian O’Connor sincerely loved to play his horn. It was his career, his passion and his life. His pure tone and floating high-range were part of his signature sound, and his majestic horn solos in “Star Trek: First Contact” are known and loved across several generations. (In fact, playing recordings of Brian’s “Star Trek” and other solos in the hospital room got him a lot of extra attention!) Brian made a peaceful transition on March 4, 2016, but his feisty spirit and his vast legacy of recorded and live work will be with us forever. Continue reading

March 2016 In Memoriam

Rudolph Eagan
Life Member. Piano
12/17/1925 – 2/7/2016
Survived by spouse & children

Jack W. Feierman
Life Member. Trumpet
11/3/1924 – 1/19/2016
Survived by spouse

Newly Reported:

Carol C. Hatch
Life Member. Marimba
4/11/1921 – 7/25/2015
Survived by son & family

Monica Lewis Lang
Life Member. Piano
5/5/1922 – 6/12/2015
Survived by son & family

Deborah R. Luboff
Life Member. Violin
2/24/1920 – 5/23/2015
Survived by children

Final Note: Jimmie Haskell

Jimmie Haskell with Jose Feliciano and the Pope at Yankee stadium, 2008.

Jimmie Haskell with Jose Feliciano and the Pope at Yankee stadium, 2008.


Life Member. Composer

11/7/1926 – 2/4/2016

by Scottie Haskell, daughter

On Feb. 4, 2016, the music world lost an international treasure. World renowned music composer, arranger and conductor Jimmie Haskell passed away at his home in Laguna Niguel California. He was 89 years young.

Born Sheridan Pearlman in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 7, 1926, Jimmie came to Los Angeles when he was just nine years old. He became an in-demand arranger and producer for the likes of Ricky Nelson, Bobby Darin, The Lettermen, The Grassroots, and many, many more. Continue reading

Final Note: Ray Colcord

Ray ColcordLife Member. Piano
(12/24/1949 – 2/5/2016)

By Dan Foliart

It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of my dear friend, Ray Colcord.

To say that Ray was courageous, would be a gross understatement, as his valiant battle with pancreatic cancer over four years, not only defied all odds, it redefined to all who knew him what the words courage and determination truly mean. During most of those four years we were running companions, with Ray, even in his weakened condition, always the winner as he truly is today. Participating in several LA marathons was always one of his most prized accomplishments. Continue reading

February 2016 In Memoriam

Thomas L. Garrett
Life Member. Drums
7/5/1938 – 12/16/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Jack W. Feierman
Life Member. Trumpet
11/3/1924 – 1/19/2016
Survived by spouse

Ronald A. Kalina
Life Member. Harmonica/Piano
8/4/1928 – 1/13/2016
Survived by friend

Stephens LaFever
Life Member. Bass
3/27/1932 – 12/9/2015
Survived by spouse & children

Delores Rhoads
Life Member. Trumpet
3/30/1920 – 11/11/2015
Survived by children

June Russo
Life Member. Flute
6/5/1929 – 1/6/2016
Survived by spouse & children

Miguel Sanchez
Life Member. Saxophone
1/20/1923 – 1/9/2016
Survived by spouse & son