Farewell Blues

The December issue of DownBeat as well as listing the 2018 Reader's Poll Winners (they don't have a Jazz Media category!) also draws attention to a few deaths we inadvertently overlooked.

These include baritone sax giant and 8 times DB Critics Poll winner Hamiet Bluiett; bassist Max Bennett, a frequent member of Ella's accompanying trio at Newcastle City Hall, and drummer John Von Ohlen who appeared at the same venue with Woody Herman as well as playing with and helping to form the great and vastly underrated Blue Wisp Big Band out in Cincinnati (must dig out the tapes).

Bluiett died Oct. 4 age 78. 

Bennett died Sept. 14 age 90.

Von Ohlen died Oct. 3 age 77.

Click on the links for individual obituaries.

All sadly missed.

Lance.