Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes

Final Note: Dennis Budimir

Life Member. Guitar
6/20/1938 – 1/9/2023

Honoring Dennis Budimir

by his daughter, Juliann Budimir

It is hard to give voice to the loss,
To give words to the ache that forever echoes in my heart since
My beloved Pop, Dennis Budimir, passed away in our arms,
My Mom and I at his side.

Dennis Budimir, beloved husband, father, and legendary jazz and studio guitarist, passed away on January 9, 2023. He was an incredible father to me and a loving, devoted husband to my mom. We are blessed by his eternal love. It is incredibly difficult to write about his passing and to put into words our monumental loss. Dennis Budimir’s musical biography is truly extensive; we are grateful to those who have documented his outstanding career and have given insight into his tremendous artistry. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Michael Grego

6/26/1957 – 2/3/2023
Life Member. Clarinet

Michael Grego, clarinet, passed away on February 3, 2023. Michael was born in Montebello, CA, attended St. Stephen School in Monterey Park, and graduated from Loyola High School in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 from Loyola Marymount University. He graduated with a Master of Music in 1983 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 1991, both from USC. He attended the Music Academy of the West where he studied with his principal teacher, Mitchell Lurie. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Dr. Thom Mason

Former Life Member. Composer
10/10/1941 – 10/22/2022

by Dr. Bruce Eskovitz

How do we honor a man like Dr. Thom David Mason, an artist, a mentor, an educator a husband and a friend? We cherish his legacy as seen by my colleagues on this stage and the many hundreds of musicians that his teaching influenced for more than 50 years. The classes that he created, like “Jazz, Ragtime & Blues,” which brought this music closer to generations of USC general education students, who learned to love this music through the passion and intelligence that Dr. Thom professed to all. He created the DMA in Jazz Studies, which opened the door to that advanced degree for myself and many of the artists that share this stage today. His book “The Art of Hearing” revolutionized solfeggio in a manner that made it a viable and usable tool for jazz musicians and jazz music students. Dr. Thom was a brilliant man who always sought to inform, educate and create opportunity where none had existed before. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Terry Woodson

Life Member. Conductor/Director
12/19/1941 – 10/19/2022

by JB Griffiths

Terry Clark Woodson passed away peacefully at his home in Studio City, California on October 19, 2022. Terry was born on December 19, 1941, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Tulsa’s Central High School and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Master’s degree in Music, before moving to Los Angeles in 1964 to pursue a career in music. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Juliann French

Member. Violin
5/1/1958 – 10/3/2022

Juliann May French, 64, of Santa Cruz, CA died unexpectedly Monday, October 3 in Santa Maria, CA. She was born May 1, 1958 in Omaha to Patricia and Merwyn G. French Jr. then of Page, Nebraska. Juliann is the loving mother of Mikaila Kaiser of Santa Cruz, CA. The two share an exceptionally close bond. Continue reading →

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Remembrance: Billy Higgins

Member. Drum Set
10/11/1936 – 5/3/2001

This is just a most fond remembrance for my first blessed husband, Billy Higgins. We were always kindred spirits, 1957 ’til forever. He will never be forgotten from Jeani and his daughter Heidi. 

“How do I love you, let me count the ways!” His favorite verse.

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