Just heard the sad news that jazz organist and trumpet player Joey DeFrancesco died yesterday (August 25) ironically, the same month that he was voted (as ever) top organist in the DB Critics Poll.
He appeared at the 1994 Newcastle Jazz Festival with John McLaughlin and Dennis Chambers on drums. What a coupling that must have been!
Another two marriages made in heaven occurred in 2011. One when he married Gloria, and one where, alongside David Sanborn, he appeared at The Barbican as part of the London Jazz Festival. That was a night to remember and recalled HERE.
Another memorable session was in May last year when a live stream from Rudy Van Gelder's studio in New Jersey featured Joey on the studio's B3 blowing up a storm alongside Billy Hart, Peter Bernstein and Houston Person (see photo). Review HERE.
Joey DeFrancesco was 51 when he died suddenly. Condolences to Gloria and daughter Ashley Blue - he was the best. Rest In Peace - Lance
3 comments :
I attended the Newcastle Jazz Festival concert. At the time, DeFrancesco, in his early twenties, was a relative newcomer. What a great career. Gone at just 51.
Me too Russell though I only found out he was the organist quite recently.
I saw Joey DeFrancesco playing in a small room during the Cork Jazz Festival with his trio. He had on guitar the great Paul Bollenbeck and Byran Landrum on drums and he cooked up a storm. Later on a couple of jazz cruises he took part in jam sessions alongside Donald Harrison, Jimmy Heath, David Fathead Newman and many more.There was no energy crisis when he playing.
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