Gone With The Wind

As the old year draws to a close, and in the wake of the loss of Jazz Café supremo Keith Crombie, I'm  reflecting on others who left us this year.

Someone remarked this afternoon as we  supped a toast to Keith in The Forth that he was probably quite pleased to have gone in the same month as Dave Brubeck. The same month that saw Sir Richard Rodney Bennett leave us.

Stan Coates was a big loss too as were another two veterans. Joe Shenton and Mighty Joe Young. In the UK the loss of Abram Wilson was devastating because of his relative youth (39 was it?) and of course his outstanding talent. Youth didn't come in to it with Andy Hamilton he was 94 and probably, over his career, one of the most underrated tenor players in the country.

In the States, Bob Brookmeyer, Etta James, Red Holloway were just some of the departees.

For a full list click here.

All sadly missed and no more so than Mr. KC.

Lance.