Category remembering

Obituaries, memorials, and other information about departed jazz friends

Rest in peace Steve Reid

Steve Reid Has Passed

My heart is heavy at the news of the passing of percussionist Steve Reid of The Rippingtons. Jeff Kashiwa posted it today on Facebook. He was my favorite percussionist. I’ve loved The Rippingtons for many years, and so much of…

Jim Beard

Remembering Jim Beard

I first came across Jim Beard’s music on the Michael Brecker recording Now You See It… . He was playing keyboards on this contemporary jazz recording, making modern sounds and jazzing things up. His compositions on that album, “Ode to…

Zachary Breaux

Remembering Zachary Breaux

Sunday will mark 25 years since contemporary jazz guitarist Zachary Breaux left the world way too soon. His recording label for his final album, Zebra Records, had sent this out after his tragic passing: “As the music community celebrates Black…