Former Member. Bass/Keyboard
2/13/1942 – 2/21/2019
Peter Halsten Thorkelson, better known as Peter Tork, was an American musician, composer and actor, best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees. Continue reading
Member. Drum Set
8/13/1932 – 11/1/2018
Love of music and family were the driving forces during Danny Pucillo’s 86 years of life.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, he originally wanted to play the trumpet. However, at the age of 10, his mother took him to the Strand Theatre in New York City, and once he saw the indelible image of Gene Krupa playing his signature floor tom beat, extending up on the fine white projection screen, he was captivated by the mastery of what Krupa had played. Danny knew he had to become a drummer. Continue reading
Former Member. Trumpet
5/19/1929 – 1/5/2019
by Kirk Silbee
Ralph Jungheim, a record producer, impresario, photographer and an all-around friend to jazz, has died. He oversaw 58 albums as an independent producer for such artists as Earl “Fatha” Hines, Freddie Hubbard, Ruth Brown, Joe Pass, Michel Legrand, Jimmy Rowles, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Witherspoon, Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All Stars, Jack Sheldon, Wild Bill Davison and Eddie Miller, Jackie Allen, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Bill Berry’s Ellington All-Stars, Charles Neville, Tommy Newsom, Mavis Rivers, James Zollar and John Dentz. Jungheim passed away on January 5, due to complications of a longtime illness. Continue reading
Former Member. Trombone
2/12/1924 – 1/25/2019
Ray Victor, musician, actor, lyricist and writer passed January 25, 2019. Ray was born Ray Moreno Vasquez February 12, 1924. He was 94 years old, and two weeks shy of 95. Continue reading
We honor the memory of the following members whose deaths were reported between Dec. 11, 2018 – Jan. 15, 2019: Continue reading
Life Member. Saxophone
4/26/1931 – 12/12/2018
Cecil Dale Hill was born in San Antonio, Texas, April 26, 1931. He passed away December 12, 2018. He was a father of six children and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret. He had nine grandchildren. And the great-grandchildren are still coming! Continue reading
We honor the memory of the following members whose deaths were reported between Nov. 16 – Dec. 10, 2018: Continue reading
Life Member. Trumpet
8/2/1926 – 11/3/2018
Talented musician, dedicated teacher, devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Sid Lazar passed away at home at the age of 92.
He was born and raised in Los Angeles, attended L.A. High School, then graduated, cum laude, from USC. He later received his M.A. from CSU Northridge. Continue reading
Epdavidson – CC BY-SA 3.0
Former Member. Electric Bass
8/28/1937 – 12/18/2018
by Hal Blaine, Life Member, AFM Local 47
We are all shocked at the news that “the gentle giant of the Fender bass” has left the world, leaving a musical resume that will live on forever. Joe Osborn has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Continue reading