2025 In Memoriam

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Peter Ablinger • Linton Ali • Carol Baker • Dale Blackwell • Mark Kieswetter • Roger McLachlan • Kabelo Mlotshwa • Robert Earl Price • Rolland Raelison • Carlos Rausch • Howard H. Smith • Lynn Taterka

Francis Davis (August 30th, 1946 - April 14th, 2025) The author wrote jazz criticism for The Village Voice, The Atlantic and other outlets, penned several books, including Outcats: Jazz Composers, Instrumentalists, and Singers, Bebop and Nothingness: Jazz and Pop at the End of the Century and In the Moment: Jazz in the 1980s and contributed liner notes to releases on Muse, Black Saint, hatHUT, Sahara, Stash, Uptown, Soul Note, Fresco, Radiant Jazz, Swaggie, West Wind, Savoy, Concord, El Saturn, Verve, Impulse, Postcards, Evidence, The Jazz Alliance, Music & Arts, Arabesque, Koch, 32 Jazz, Savant, GRP, Columbia Legacy, Nemu, Doxy, Dogtown and other labels. Davis died April 14th at 78.

Christian Reim (September 30th, 1945 - April 14th, 2025) The Norwegian was a house pianist at Oslo’s Club 7, accompanying visiting Americans, had early work with Terje Rypdal and new and archival records on Jazzaway, Plastic Strip and Jazzaggression. Reim died April 14th at 79.

Don Mock • Johan Mthethwa • Bob Pollitt

Julien Favreuille (1973 - April 12th, 2025) The French saxophonist was a member of Intradécorum, Happy House and the Circum Grand Orchestra and had a 2018 co-led release on Circum-Disc. Favreuille died April 12th at ~51.

Christian Rentsch (October 30th, 1945 - April 12th, 2025) The Swiss critic wrote liner notes for releases on Plainisphare, hatHUT, Amadeo, FMP, TCB, ECM and Intakt. Rentsch died April 12th at 79.

Valentina Del Re • Jean-Pierre Evrard • Tom Glenn • Bill Hecht • Johnnie Jackson • Pentti Kaartinaho • Persis Newman • Joe Pryke • Keith Stout

Nino Tempo (January 6th, 1935 - April 10th, 2025) The saxophonist (né Antonino LoTempio) came up with Maynard Ferguson in the ‘50s, released albums on A&M and Atlantic, was a member of the Jazz at The Movies Band and had credits with Modern Jazz Quartet, Diane Schuur, Rosemary Clooney and others but was best known as a session musician and/or songwriter for various pop acts. Tempo died April 10th at 90.

Terje Venaas (March 30th, 1947 - April 9th, 2025) The Norwegian bassist worked with Terje Rypdal, Finn Eriksen, Christian Eggen, Ketil Bjørnstad, Pål Thowsen, Laila Dalseth, Carl Magnus Neumann, Christian Reim, Bjarne Nerem, Nipe Nyrén, Thorgeir Stubø, Per Husby, Espen Rud, Harald Bergersen/Atle Hammer, Totti Bergh, Per Nyhaug, Magni Wentzel, Jon Gordon, Egil Kapstad, Louis Stewart, Bjarne Nerem/Kristian Bergheim, Knut Riisnæs/Red Holloway, Jan Erik Vold, Karin Krog, Einar Iversen and Staffan William-Olsson as well as numerous folk, pop and rock acts. Venaas died April 9th at 78.

Roberto Cani • Thomas Chandy • Dick Esmond • Miriam Hoyt • Ken Sperry • Drew Zingg

Jean-Claude Montredon (September 23rd, 1949 - April 6th, 2025) The Martinique-born, France-based drummer put out his sole leader date in 2016 after credits since the ‘70s with West African Cosmos, Roland Brival, Doudou Gouirand, Chris McGregor, Didier Levallet, West Indies Jazz Band, Alain Jean-Marie, Florence Antraygues, Bobby Few, Patrice Caratini, Lucien Joly, Dominique Gaumont and others. Montredon died April 6th at 75.

Tammi Brown • Belingo Faro • Alvin Gotlieb • Roy Green • Ed Grogan

Anthony D. Hopkins (April 10th, 1941 - April 4th, 2025) The British author, who worked as a drummer in his youth, was the jazz critic for The Telegraph between 1966-1989. Hopkins died April 4th at 83.

Bernie Addington • Al DeAndrade • Uros Markovic

Miles Griffith (May 13th, 1969 - April 2nd, 2025) The vocalist had a pair of self-released albums alongside recording credits with James Williams, Wynton Marsalis, Bill Mobley, Mark Elf, Tony Reedus, Jack Walrath, T.S. Monk, Antoine Drye, Ahmed Abdullah, Shakers N' Bakers, The Baby Loves Jazz Band, Yiannis Kassetas, John Ellis, Joe Fiedler and others. Griffith died April 2nd at 55.

Eugene Ross

George Freeman (April 10th, 1927 - April 1st, 2025) The guitarist, part of a famed Chicagoan musical family with brothers Von (saxophone) and Buzz (drums) and nephew Chico (reeds, winds), had his own or collaborative dates on Giant Step, Bam-Boo, Delmark, Groove Merchant, Southport, Savant, ears&eyes, Blujazz and HighNote to go along with credits under Louis Carpenter, Charlie Parker, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Les McCann, Billy Mitchell, Gene Ammons/Sonny Stitt, Shirley Scott, Jimmy McGriff, Buddy Rich, Johnny Griffin, Tommy Jones, Illinois Jacquet and others. Freeman died April 1st at 97.

Stu Miller

Germán Chavarriaga • Anriette Chorn • Len Fallen • Tim Lyles • Archie Williams • Larry Williams

Peter Jacques (May 17th, 1935 - March 27th, 2025) The Swiss keyboard player, longtime director of the Swiss Radio DRS Big Band, had albums on Harmonic, Fan, Center, EMI, Quadriga, Pan and JMP, credits with Toots Thielemans, Victor Burghardt/Mike Barone Orchestra and Renato Anselmi and did arranging for Horst Jankowski, Horst Fischer, NDR Big Band, Arne Domnérus, Bill Ramsey, Ernie Englund and others. Jacques died March 27th at 89.

Peter Allen • Paul Barnes • Steve Baxter • Moricia Cagan • Joe Cohen • Terry Emrick • Tommy George • Teddy Hawkins • Helen Haynes • Bannus Hudson • J.J. Juliano • Don Laube • Conrad Lee • Ron Nethercutt • Rich Pulin • Jim Stack • Kurt Storey • Tom Sullivan • Winston "Buzz" Willis • John Wolff

Ronald Atkins (June 1st, 1936 - March 19th, 2025) The British critic wrote for The Guardian, Jazz On CD, Jazz Express, Jazz Review and Tribune, contributed to various jazz guides and did liner notes for Esquire, Verve, Elektra, Ogun and other labels. Atkins died March 19th at 89.

Joe Kgasi

Esa Pethman (May 17th, 1938 - March 18th, 2025) The Finnish flutist/saxophonist had releases on Scandia, RCA Victor, Odeon, Polydor, Eies Production, Eläke-Varma, Olarin Musikki and We Jazz alongside credits with Heikki Sarmanto, Eero Koivistoinen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Esko Linnavallin, Jazz Society Big Band and various pop and folk acts. Pethman died May 18th at 86. 

Eric Ainsworth • Julius Brooks • Baomi Butts-Bhanji • Dan Graper • Dieter Süverkrüp

Henri Florens (1953 - March 14th, 2025) The French pianist had a handful of leader dates and worked with Chet Baker, the Belmondo brothers, Roger Luccioni and others. Florens died March 14th at 72.

Bruno Romani (January 9th, 1960 - March 14th, 2025) The Italian saxophonist/flutist, after his work in punk and new wave, had albums on Tunnel, Centro Musica Creativa, Splasc(h), Nota, Setola Di Maiale, Revenge and The Cotton Club and credits with Transition Jazz Group, Claudio Cojaniz, IS Ensemble, U.T. Gandhi, Stefano Andreutti and others. Romani died March 14th at 65.

Synia Carroll • Vincent French • Mike Grace • Sofia Gubaidulina • Jack Pina

Paul Shearsmith (1946 - March 12, 2025) The British trumpeter and instrument builder co-founded Echo City, had collaborative albums on Face-Value, Fragile Noise and Emanem, was a member of the Spontaneous Music Orchestra and worked with Milo Fine and others. Shearsmith died March 12th at 78.

Christopher Haynes • John Key • Scott Madden • Andrey Makedon

Jim Lampi (??? - March 10th, 2025) The Chapman Stick player had albums on Zok, Iguana, Gila and Kissing Fish Music and was a member of The New World Orchestra. Lampi died March 10th at an unknown age.

Jack Rummel (1939 - March 10th, 2025) The ragtime composer had albums on Stomp Off and Diagonal, had his pieces recorded by Matthew Davidson, Scott Kirby and others, was host of a weekly radio program from 1980-2024 and founded the Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival. Rummel died March 10th at ~86.

Michael Decuir • Ken Katowik

Bart Fermie (1955 - March 9th, 2025) The Dutch percussionist worked with Batida, Guy Cabay, Bruno Castellucci, Jasper Van 't Hof, Jannemien Cnossen, Jesse Van Ruller, Peter Guidi, Chris Hinze, Anne Chris, Olaf Tarenskeen, Francien Van Tuinen, Heleen van Den Hombergh, Taco Nieuwenhuizen, Yuri Honing, Jasper Blom and others. Fermie died March 9th at ~69.

Koos Biel • Sal Godinez • Paul Hubbell

Bill Ashton (December 6th, 1936 - March 8th, 2025) The British saxophonist founded Britain’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 1965, a student ensemble that released several dozen albums and collaborated with numerous artists. Ashton died March 8th at 88.

Don Fairley • Paul Winkler • John Yates • Alexander Zapolski

Pedro Paulo (1939 - March 6th, 2025) The Brazilian trumpeter had credits with Herbie Mann, Cannonball Adderley, Flora Purim, Dom Um Romão, Tenório, Jr., Quarteto Em Cy, Victor Assis Brasil and others. Paulo died March 6th at ~86.

Luther Keith • Caspar Melville

Roy Ayers (September 10th, 1940 - March 4th, 2025) The vibraphonist had dozens of albums since the mid ‘60s on Atlantic, United Artists, Polydor, Elektra, his own Uno Melodic, Ichiban, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz House, Groovetown and other labels after work with Curtis Amy, Vi Redd, Jack Wilson, Leroy Vinnegar, Gerald Wilson and, most prolifically, Herbie Mann, later having guest spots with David “Fathead” Newman, Buster Williams, Bruce Fisher, Ronnie Foster, Jean Carn, Klaus Doldinger and Wolfgang Haffner and being sampled by numerous hip-hop artists. Ayers died March 4th at 84.

Ray Kelley (February 26th, 1938 - March 4th, 2025) Among the cellist’s many credits were albums with Frank Zappa, Alice Coltrane, Supersax, Ronnie Laws, George Duke, Sonny Criss, Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela, Patrice Rushen, Harvey Mason, Hubert Laws, Lalo Schifrin, Al Di Meola, Earl Klugh, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Diane Schuur, Les McCann, Doc Severinsen, Oscar Castro-Neves, The Manhattan Transfer, Shirley Horn, Carmen Lundy and Charlie Haden. Kelley died March 4th at 87.

Danny Infante • Jim Sadlon

Adalberto Cevasco (December 14th, 1946 - March 3rd, 2025) Among the Argentinian bassist’s credits were a handful of his own or collaborative dates for Melopea Discos, albums as part of El Trio, Gente De Nuevos Aires and Coincidencia and under Gato Barbieri, Enrico Rava, Rodolfo Alchourron, Gustavo Kerestezachi, Mercedes Sosa, Julio Awad, Leopoldo Federico and others. Cevasco died March 3rd at 78.

Herb Greene (April 3rd, 1942 - March 3rd, 2025) Among the photographer’s many credits were albums by V.S.O.P., Miroslav Vitous, Airto Moreira, John Handy and Carlos Santana/Alice Coltrane. Greene died March 3rd at 82.

Jitka Vrbova (September 30th, 1940 - March 3rd, 2025) The Czech vocalist had albums on Supraphon and Gallup Music and collaborations with Pražský Dixieland, Hot Jazz Praha, Jazz Fiddlers, Steamboat Stompers and Washboard Banjo Band. Vrbová died March 3rd at 84.

Pedro Carretero • Paul Ierino • Neal Strebel • Darryl Terrell

Rick Kiefer (May 24th, 1939 - March 2nd, 2025) The trumpeter had a 1975 album on Omega Productions to go along with credits under Maynard Ferguson, Anthony Zano, Ronnie Ross, Max Greger, Don Menza, Kurt Edelhagen, Big Band RTV Ljubljana, Festival Big Band, Kenny Clarke - Francy Boland Big Band, Peter Herbolzheimer, Mladen Guteša, Greetje Kauffeld, James Last, Die Original All-Star Dixiecompany, WDR Big Band, Vince Mendoza, Bob Brookmeyer, Jerry Van Rooyen, Rob Pronk, Lalo Schifrin, Caterina Valente, Gianluigi Trovesi and others. Kiefer died March 2nd at 85.

Vincent DeMio • Vic Donnell • Jerry Knorr

Vernice "Bunky" Green (April 23rd, 1935 - March 1st, 2025) The saxophonist and longtime educator had albums on Argo, Vee Jay, Cadet and Vanguard in the ’60s-70s, then his own or collaborative dates from the late ‘80s onwards on Mark, Delos, Label Bleu, Traumton, Pi and Edition Longplay as well as credits with Paul Serrano, Herb Lance, Ben Sidran, Elvin Jones, Clark Terry and Travis Shook. Green died March 1st at 89.

Paulito Fernández Gallo • Joe Falbo • Leif Kronlund

Chuck Thomas • Gisbert Kreß • Werner Lutz • Jeff Stone

Eric Barret (1959 - February 27th, 2025) The French saxophonist had his own or collaborative albums on Carlyne, All That Blue, L’Oz Productions, Charlotte Productions, Marge, Cristal, L’autre Distribution and Arpej alongside credits with Urban Sax, Antoine Hervé, Jean Loup Lognon, Jean-Pierre Mas, Orchestre National De Jazz, Gérard Badini, Didier Squiban, Jacques Pellen, Nicolas Genest, Peter Gritz, Christian Bon, Antoine Lisolo, Carol Escoffier, Murat Öztürk, Jacques Vidal and others. Barret died February 27th at 65.

Harvey Auger • Brian Fallon • Richard Fenno • Vincent Interrante • Jean Jean-Pierre • Jon Johnson • George Kenny • Vincent Lewis • Jim Mountjoy • Larry G. Smith • Addy Sulley • Gerry Williams

Larry Appelbaum (April 12th, 1957 - February 21st, 2025) The former Music Reference Specialist at the Library of Congress contributed pieces to several jazz history books, wrote articles for JazzTimes and other outlets and hosted a jazz program on WPFW but is best known for the discovering the 1957 Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall tapes, released on Blue Note in 2005. Appelbaum died February 21st at 67.

Thomas "Biff" Hannon (??? - February 21st, 2025) The pianist worked with Maynard Ferguson, Mark Colby, Auracle, Teo Macero, Jeff Tyzik, Doc Severinsen, Rich Szabo, George Ross, Jeff Hamilton, Bill Reichenbach, JIm Pugh, Nancy Kelly, Joe Salzano, Mat Marucci, Gordon Johnson and others. Hannon died February 21st at an unknown age.

Gerry Arling • Leon A. Brady • Lester Nadeau • Bruni Sablan • Terry Small

Frank DeMiero (July 27th, 1940 - February 19th, 2025) The bandleader/educator founded the Dynamics and Soundsations jazz choirs, Seattle Jazz Singers, DeMiero Jazz Festival and Frank DeMiero Jazz Camp and was a co-founder of the Jazz Education Network and Sound Music Publications (now Anchor Music). DeMiero died February 19th at 84.

Jose María Mellado Damas • Jerry Riches • Kathy Sackett

Thomas Bellino (1951 - February 18th, 2025) The producer/composer founded Planet Arts Recordings, releasing albums by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Ted Rosenthal, Ahmed Abdullah, Jimmy Heath and others, was the Jazz Program Specialist for Chamber Music America and established the Kingston International Jazz Festival. Bellino died February 18th at ~73.

Jamie Muir (November 30th, 1942 - February 17th, 2025) The Scottish percussionist, best known for his time in King Crimson, was a member of The Music Improvisation Company and worked separately with fellow members Derek Bailey and Evan Parker while also providing cover art for several Incus releases. Muir died February 17th at 82.

Nannie Porres (April 30th, 1939 - February 17th, 2025) The Swedish vocalist had albums on Odeon, SR, EMI, Dragon and Four Leaf Clover and credits with Jazz Club 1957, Bernt Rosengren, Swing Society, Claes-Göran Fagerstedt, Carlstad Jazzquintet, Lalle Svensson, Contemporary Bebop Quintet, Albrekts Swingband and Sune Spångberg. Porres died February 17th at 85.

Erik-Jan de With • Lasse Gustavsson • Mitsuru Tsubota • Vladimír Válek • Joe Wright

Daoud-David Williams (1943 - February 15th, 2025) The percussionist led the Spirit of Life Ensemble (with albums on Rise Up Productions and Cristal since the mid '80s) and had credits with Ted Curson, Ray Blue, Mina Agossi, Chip Shelton and others. Williams died February 15th at ~82.

Jack Cole • Bob DeFlores • Mark Johnson • Ieuan Mark Jones • Walley Lightbody • Shirley Thompson 

Dubravko Majnarić (February 4th, 1936 - February 13th, 2025) Among the Croatian producer’s many credits as head of Jugoton were albums by B.P. Convention Big Band, Boško Petrović, YU All Stars 1977, Tone Grčar, Art Farmer, Drago Diklić, Tone Janša, Zagreb Jazz Quartet, Jazzbina, Damir Dičić and Greentown Jazz Band. Majnarić died February 13th at 89.

Marcia Elston • Duke Gadd • Dan Havely • Robert Kendall • Jimi Mbaye • Denis Wick

Ireneusz Kowalewski (~1954 - February 11th, 2025) The Polish producer founded the Grand Prix Jazz Melomani Awards in 1992. Kowalewski died February 11th at 70.

Barbara Ann Nickles • James Rose

Tony Kinsey (October 11th, 1927 - ~February 10th, 2025) The English drummer was a stalwart of his country’s bebop wave, working with John Dankworth, Ronnie Scott, Tommy Whittle, Ronnie Ball, Jimmy Deuchar and others, then leading his own groups for albums on Esquire, Decca, Parlaphone, Ember and Spotlite, finally moving into composition making numerous library recordings into the new millennium. Kinsey died ~February 10th at 97.

Mike Clapson • Dave Corsby • Hilarion Domingue • Gordon Garrett • Jim Holibaugh • George Kaye • Phil Perry • Paraic Potter • James Walker, Jr. • George Welland

Howard Riley (February 16th, 1943 - February 8th, 2025) The English pianist was a key figure in his country’s nascent avant garde scene through his own albums on Opportunity, CBS, Turtle, Jaguar, Incus, Mosaic, Emanem, Vinyl, Spotlight, View, Affinity, Leo, Wondrous Music, FMR, ASC, Slam, ESProductions, Jazzprint, 33, Heliopause and most recently NoBusiness, collaborations with Barry Guy, Philip Wachsmann, John Stevens, Trevor Watts, Keith Tippett, Jaki Byard, Lox Coxhill, Paul Rutherford, George Haslam, Elton Dean, Mario Castronari, Tony Wren, Larry Stabbins, Mark Sanders, John Tilbury, Art Themen and others and credits with The London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Tony Oxley and Iskra 1912. Riley died February 8th at 81. 

Don Rollins • Alex Sadowsky • Ann Salerno • Pete Tocco • Lucien Violet

Peter "Banjo" Meyer (March 28th, 1944 - February 6th, 2025) The German banjo player had his own or collaborative albums on Metronome, WAM, Happy Bird, Pinorrekk and Documents, several releases with The European Jazz Giants, membership in Jazz Lips and Hamburg All Stars and credits with Abbi Hübner, Reiner Regel, Old Merry Tale Jazzband, Mountain Village Jazzmen and others. Meyer died February 6th at 80.

Sherwin Estrella • Steve Leger • Paul Louis Rossi

Mike Ratledge (May 6th, 1943 - February 5th, 2025) The English keyboard player was a founding member of Soft Machine, staying with the group from 1966-76, and also appearing on releases by erstwhile members Elton Dean, Kevin Ayers and Daevid Allen as well as collaborating with yet another member, Karl Kenkins, on several albums. Ratledge died February 5th at 81. 

Fred Brush • Gerald Hatcher • Dave Jerden • Khun Ormsin

Eddie Bruhner (January 23rd, 1942 - February 4th, 2025) The Swedish trumpeter/singer founded the Sveriges Jazzband in 1955, which released albums on RCA Victor and Metronome, was a member of the East End Jazz Men and worked with Jensens New Orleans Jazz Serenaders. Bruhner died February 4th at 83.

Jos Acket • Dan Anderson • Lauren Koval • Sam Yi

Gene Barge (August 9th, 1926 - February 2nd, 2025) As a saxophonist he had credits with, among others, Fontella Bass, Brother Jack McDuff and Odell Brown while his producing work included albums by John Klemmer, Etta James and Bobby Bryant. Barge died February 2nd at 98.

Siegfried Schmidt-Joos (April 17th, 1936 - February 2nd, 2025) Among the German critic’s writings were liner notes for albums on Metronome, Brunswick, Verve, Philips, Liberty, MPS, Spiegelei, Atlantic, Spoon, In+Out, L+R and other labels. Schmidt-Joos died February 2nd at 89.

Luboš Zajíček (October 6th, 1938 - February 2nd, 2025) The Czech cornet player was a member of Studijní Skupina Tradičního Jazzu (which collaborated with Albert Nicholas, Benny Waters, Tony Scott and others), Storyville Jazz Band and Spirituál Kvintet and led the Classic Jazz Collegium. Zajíček died February 2nd at 86. 

John Baker • John Donable • CJ Everett • Chuk Fowler • Peter Milley • Holbrook Williams

Susan Alcorn (April 4th, 1953 - January 31st, 2025) The pedal steel guitarist had her own or collaborative albums on LoveLetter, Boxholder, her own Uma Sounds, Recorded, Trans Museq, Mass Producers, Iorram, DPR, Clean Feed, Relative Pitch, Mystra, Astral Spirits, Open Mouth, VG+, Atlantic Rhythms, Drawing Room and Ideologic Organ alongside work with Eugene Chadbourne, Per Wålstedt, Audrey Chen/Tatsuya Nakatani, Eyvind Kang, Mary Halvorson, Max Johnson, Jeff Snyder, Nate Wooley, London Improvisers Orchestra, Thollem McDonas, Dave Easley, Vinny Golia and others. Alcorn died January 31st at 71.

Leif Aare • Gary Adcock • Kazuyoshi Akiyama • John Badessa • Victor Boboshko • Steve Carroll • Donald Fanelle • Roma Firmin • Philippe Franck • Horace Grigsby • Dishan Harper • Chuck Howen • Olga James • Lawrence Ketchens • Jon Light • Eleanor Mullaney • Dave Rance • Thabang Tabane

Lee Hildebrand ( March 28th, 1945 - January 24th, 2025) Among the journalist’s credits were liner notes for Shubra, Milestone, Contemporary and Prestige. Hildebrand died January 24th at 79.

Teferi Asefa • Richard Pindell • Bob Snow • John Steele

Paddy Cole (December 17th, 1939 - January 22nd, 2025) The Irish saxophonist, active since the mid ‘50s, had albums on Dolphin, Top Spin, K-Tel International, Owl and RTÉ, work under Maurice Lynch, The Capitol Showband and Brendan Bowyer and a long tenure as a radio show host. Cole died January 22nd at 85.

Bertrand Blier • Morrie Bowden • Tom Brannan • Peter Hales • Jonathan Lilly • John McClellan • Teddy Moisides • Tom Novara • Larry Nusser • Greg Wilson • Ken Wydro

Bob Perkins (1934 - January 19th, 2025) The radio DJ was a Philadelphia stalwart since 1969, best known for 25 years as the host of “Evening Jazz” at WRTI, and also wrote liner notes for various albums. Perkins died January 19th at 91. 

Kenny Kirsop • Wilford Smith

Dave Bargeron (September 6th, 1942 - January 18th, 2025) The brass player (trombone, tuba, euphonium, sackbut), alongside his prolific work in the rock world, was a member of Super Trombone, had a handful of albums on Mapleshade and Enja and credits with Ernie Wilkins, Bill Evans/George Russell, Larry Willis, Clark Terry, Bob James, Stanley Turrentine, Charles Earland, Gil Evans, Jaco Pastorius, George Gruntz, Bob Mintzer, Michael Franks, Hiram Bullock, Lyle Mays, Mike Gibbs, Peter Erskine, Terumasa Hino, Pete Levin, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones, Dave Sanborn, Pat Metheny, Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Griffin, Ray Anderson, Michel Camilo, Howard Johnson, Randy Brecker, James Moody, David Matthews, Rich Shemaria, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Carla Bley and Earl McIntyre. Bargeron died January 18th at 82.

Mike Miller (May 8th, 1953 - January 18th, 2025) The guitarist worked with, alongside his credits in the rock and pop worlds, Air Pocket, Brand X, The Yellowjackets, Billy Childs, Stanley Turrentine, Doug Cameron, David Garfield. Herb Alpert, Free Flight, Max Bennett, Steve Fowler, Tom Fowler, Chick Corea, Gary Meek, Akira Jimbo, Keiko Iwasaki, Gigi MacKenzie and Michael Günter Schmidt and had albums on Wakonda Music, Marsis Music, Blue Canoe and Muse Eek. Miller died January 18th at 71. 

"Oz" Guy Alston • Terry Cobb • Ellis Echevarria • Steven Erasmus • Jeremy Landor • Tim McAlpine • Ojenke Mapenzi • Sal Melillo • Tomás "Chocho" Paolini • Bobby Watley

Abdoulaye Diabaté (1959 - January 16th, 2025) The Senegalese pianist co-founded the Kora Jazz Trio, which has new millennium albums on Mélodie, Celluloid and Cristal. Diabaté died January 16th at ~65.

Kristian Jørgensen (September 18th, 1967 - ~January 16th, 2025) The Danish violinist had albums on Stunt and Music Mecca, was a member of Tango Orkestret and recorded with Duke Jordan, Maj-Britt Kramer, Fessor's Big City Band, Simon Spang-Hanssen, Peter Rosendal, Dorado Schmitt and others. Jørgensen died ~January 16th at 57.

Bob Johns • Boyd Phelps • Weldon Richardson • Dickerson Tattersall

Bob Venier (??? - January 15th, 2025) The Australian trumpeter was a member of Pyramid, The ABC Showband and the Australian Jazz Orchestra, had a ‘90s album on Newmarket and credits with Garry Hyde, Brian Brown, Allan Zavod, Peter Martin, Graeme Lyall, Linda Cable, Ken Schroder, Paul Grabowsky, Christine Sullivan, Susie Ahern/Michael Spiby, Jack Wood/Nichaud Fitzgibbon and others. Venier died January 15th at an unknown age.

Guido Antonioli • Enrique Bonne • Peter Emery • David Lynch • Teddy Osei • Hermann Rack • William "Kachiro" Thompson

Pat Caplice (1927 - ~January 13th, 2025) The Australian vibraphonist/drummer had sessions on Pacific and Columbia and worked with Art Ray, Thomas Tycho and others. Caplice died ~January 13th at ~96.

Tony Passarell (June 17th, 1956 - January 13th, 2025) The saxophonist, a stalwart of the Sacramento scene, was a member of Race!!!, The Air Orchestra, Swimming In Bengal and Ghiadub Quartet, had his own or co-led recordings on Prescott and credits with Dutch Falconi, Alex Jenkins, Byron Blackburn, Matt Marucci/Markus Burger, Instagon, Ross Hammond and others. Passarell died January 13th at 69.

Emilio Soana (1942 - January 13th, 2025) The Italian trumpeter worked with Giorgio Gaslini, Gil Cuppini, Giorgio Azzolini, Joe Venuti, Gigi Cichellero, Romano Mussolini, Henghel Gualdi, Luciano Fineschi, Oscar Rocchi, Bruno De Filippi, Gabriele Comeglio, Giampiero Prina, Jazz Class Orchestra, Alain Guyonnet, Gianluigi Trovesi, Pietro Bonelli, Civica Jazz Band, Bruno Tommaso, Gianni Basso, Renato Dibì, Bansigu Big Band, Alberto Guareschi, Dario Cellamaro and others. Soana died January 13th at 81.

Elgar Howarth

Mario Allard (1983 - January 12th, 2025) The Canadian saxophonist was a member of Papagroove, Jazzlab Orchestra and Coyote Bill and had credits with Jean-Michel Bernard, Alain Bédard and others. Allard died January 12th at 42.

Mark Izu (1954 - January 12th, 2025) The bassist was a member of United Front, active in the early ‘80s, had albums on RPM, Asian Improv Arts and Belly to Belly, some in collaboration with spouse Brenda Wong Aoki, credits with Russel Baba, Ray Collins, Jason Michaels, Jon Jang, Fred Ho, Francis Wong, Miya Masaoka, Hafez Modirzadeh, Anthony Brown and others and was Artistic Director of Asian American Jazz Fest. Izu died January 12th at 70.

Arnold Frolows • Joe Hopkins • Volkhard Kühl • André Spiegel • Lee Viner

Paul Fontaine (April 8th, 1937 - January 11th, 2025) The trumpeter was a longtime educator at Berklee College of Music and worked with Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Herb Pomeroy, Milan Svoboda, Greg Abate, Greg Hopkins and others. Fontaine died January 11th at 87. 

Ron Battani • Dan Bowden • Joe Malatji • Ken Salisbury • John Saunders

Martin Hummel (February 2nd, 1955 - January 10th, 2025) The producer, long based in the UK, co-founded the multi-pronged jazz company Ubuntu, the label portion of which has over 100 releases since 2015. Hummel died January 10th at 69.

Martin Bennett • Stephen Heinemann • Michael Hollie • Tom Moore • Michael Rendish • Geert Verbeke 

Laurie Holloway (March 31st, 1938 - January 9th, 2025) The English pianist, best known for his work on television, had albums on Marble Arch, Columbia, CBS, Pye, Hobo, His Master’s Voice, RCA, C5, Elgin, Grasmere, Qnote and Universal Classics and work with John Dankworth, Johnnie Spence, Vic Lewis, Cleo Laine, Antonio Pedro Hatch, Sacha Distel, David Lindup, Stéphane Grappelli, Joe Williams, J.J. Johnson, Marion Montgomery and others. Holloway died January 9th at 86.

Marty Boulton • Bobby Galvan • Bart Madeley • Olivier Portal • Wayne Senior • Hiroshi Shinkawa • David Sloan • Granville "Danny" Young

Donald MacCourt (May 6th, 1934 - January 6th, 2025) Among the classical bassoonist’s credits were albums by Nat Adderley, Moondog, David “Fathead” Newman, Grover Washington, Jr. and Bill Evans. MacCourt died January 6th at 90. 

Billy Maiden 

Don Stille (1946 - January 5th, 2025) The pianist/accordion player had credits with Claudia Schmidt, Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Jesse Harms, Rob Barton, Bonnie Koloc, Jim Beebe, Mark Colby, John Bany, Mark Sonksen, Peter Castronova, Christy Bennet and others. Stille died January 5th at 78.

Ron Daniels • Phil Gomez • George Robinson • George Ruffin • Martin Wilson

Manfred Schütz (July 5th, 1950 - January 3rd, 2025) Among the producer’s accomplishments was founding MIG-Music GmbH in 2009, which has released archival recordings of Gary Bartz, Marion Brown, Joachim Kühn, Airto Moreira/Flora Purim, Oregon, Manfred Schoof, Weather Report and Tony Williams. Schütz died January 3rd at 74.

Önder Bali • Kitty Daniels • Steve Fergerson • Monica Getz • Bill McCarthy • Howard Neal • Helen Ward Starr • Steini Steingríms

William “Bill” Carter (December 25th, 1934 - January 1st, 2025) The noted photographer, whose work included the book Preservation Hall: Music from the Heart and inclusion in numerous publications, led his own groups as a clarinetist and was a member of the band of Turk Murphy in the ‘50s and later played with the Magnolia Jazz Band, Sunset Music Company, William Warfield and Hot Club of San Francisco. Carter died January 1st at 90.

Sibylle Zerr