Celebration of Life: Gary Grant
Tag Archives: Final Notes
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
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
Final Note: Daniel Adam Savell
2/11/1975 – 11/17/2023
Member. Percussion
It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that Daniel Adam Savell has died. He passed away November 17, 2023, succumbing to injuries suffered in a sports accident. Dan was born February 11, 1975, in Newton, Massachusetts and was co-founder and co-owner of L.A. Percussion and Backline Rentals in Santa Clarita, California. Continue reading
Final Note: Donald J. Baldini (Baldwin)
Life Member. String Bass
12/5/1940 – 3/4/2024
Donald James Baldini, 83, of Westminster, Vt., died at home in the bed he made himself, just as he wished.
He was tenacious in his love for life, music, food and friends while he navigated the ups and downs of cancer for the past eight years. He will be remembered by all as a charismatic storyteller, world-class bass player and engaging teacher. Continue reading
Final Note: Valencia Mitchell
Life Member. Violin
3/4/1949 – 9/3/2023
Valencia began violin studies with Frank Frederick Ficus in Los Angeles at the age of 10. She attended Manual Arts High School and upon graduation enrolled at Mills College in Oakland, CA. At Mills she studied with Nathan Ruben and earned the Bachelor’s Degree in Music. She enrolled at the University of Southern California pursuing a degree in Library Science with an emphasis in music and was awarded the Master’s Degree in Music Literature from California State University, Long Beach. Valencia worked as a librarian for the County of Los Angeles and Cerritos College. Continue reading
Final Note: Lincoln Mayorga
Life Member. Piano
3/28/1937 – 7/3/2023
Lincoln Mayorga, the consummate musician as well as founder of Townhall Records and co-founder of Sheffield Lab and the Mastering Lab, has died. The concert pianist, arranger, composer, conductor, producer, and audiophile innovator was equally comfortable performing classical music on international stages and arranging and playing with popular artists in diverse venues — pop, jazz, classical, and rock ‘n’ roll. Continue reading
Final Note: Howie Shear
Former Member. Trumpet
8/5/1954 – 6/27/2023
A highly respected Los Angeles trumpeter, composer, and arranger, Howie was a Van Laar Trumpets artist and endorsed Bob Reeves mouthpieces. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from Fredonia State University in 1975, a Master of Music with a major in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music in 1977, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California in 2002. He studied trumpet with James F. Burke, Raymond Crisara, and Carmine Caruso. Continue reading