passings
Sonny Rollins, tenor saxophonist, September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026
With Henry Grimes (bass), Joe Harris (drums), “Love Letters” (V. Young, E. Heyman), live, Sweden (Stockholm), 1959
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago
passings
Steve Cropper, guitarist, songwriter, producer, October 21, 1941 – December 3, 2025
Booker T. & the M.G.’s, live, New York, 1991
*****
Phil Upchurch, guitarist, July 19, 1941 – November 23, 2025
With Booker T. & the M.G.’s, “Love and Peace,” live (TV show), published 2010
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago), annual Day of the Dead exhibit
passings
Jack DeJohnette, drummer, pianist, composer, August 9, 1942 – October 26, 2025
Jack DeJohnette (drums) with MCOTD Hall-of-Famer Henry Threadgill (reeds), Roscoe Mitchell (reeds), Muhal Richard Abrams (piano), and Larry Gray (bass), Made in Chicago, 2015
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago (Columbus Park)
passings
Alfred Brendel, pianist, writer, January 5, 1931-June 17, 2025
Live, Austria (Vienna), 1979: Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924), Toccata K.287 (1921)
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago
passings
Joseph “Jo Jo” Wallace, singer, guitarist, member of the Sensational Nightingales, October 4, 1926-May 7, 2025
The 63rd Anniversary of the Sensational Nightingales, live, Durham, North Carolina, 2010
*****
“Somewhere to Lay My Head,” live (TV show), 1960s
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random sights
other day, Chicago (Columbus Park)
passings
Clem Burke, drummer, November 24, 1954-April 6, 2025
Blondie (Deborah Harry [vocals], Clem Burke [drums], et al.), “Dreaming,” video published 2010
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Illinois
passings
George Freeman (guitarist), April 10, 1927-April 1, 2025
Birth Sign,* 1970 (Delmark Records)
When, fifty years ago, I first heard this album, I thought it was wonderful. I still do.
*****
*1. “Mama, Papa, Brother” 2. “Cough It Up” 3. “My Scenery” 4. “Must Be, Must Be” 5. “Birth Sign” 6. “Hoss” 7. “My Ship”
George Freeman, guitar; Lester Lashley, trombone (track 4); Von Freeman (brother, MCOTD Hall of Fame), tenor saxophone (tracks 2-3, 6-7); Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, tenor saxophone (track 4); Sonny Burke, organ (tracks 1–6); Robert Pierce, organ (track 4); Billy Mitchell, drums
passings
David Johansen, singer, songwriter, actor, January 9, 1950-February 28, 2025
“We Gotta Get Out of This Place”/”Don’t Bring Me Down”/”It’s My Life” (Animals Medley), 1982
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Illinois
passings
Angie Stone, singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, December 18, 1961-March 1, 2025
Live (TV show), Netherlands, 2000
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reading table
Kakehashi Bridge—
even vines cling for their lives—
I cling like ivy—Matsuo Basho (1644-94), from “Sarashina Travelogue” (translated from the Japanese by Sam Hamill)
passings
Jerry Butler, singer, songwriter, producer, musician, politician, December 8, 1939-February 20, 2025
“For Your Precious Love” (J. Butler, A. Brooks, R. Brooks), 1958
*****
“Only the Strong Survive” (J. Butler, K. Gamble, L. Huff), 1969
*****
“Ain’t Understanding Mellow” (H. Talbert, H. Polk) with Brenda Lee Eager, live (TV show), 1970s
*****
“Let It Be Me” (P. Delanoë, Gilbert Bécaud) with Betty Everett, live (TV show), 2000)
music clip of the day 