Jodie Christian February 2, 1932 – February 13, 2012
Photo by Javet M. Kimble
Jodie Christian was an esteemed jazz pianist whose contributions to free jazz and bebop can’t be denied. Throughout his career, Christian performed and recorded with the likes of Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, and Eddie Harris. He also fronted his own band which recorded several acclaimed albums as well. In 1965, Christian co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, which was a non-profit that encouraged, supported, and promoted jazz musicians. Jodie Christian was 80 when he passed away on February 13, 2012.
Clare Fischer was a pianist, composer and arranger who, besides having his own respectable career as a musician, arranged music for some of pop music’s biggest stars. Fischer was still a child when he first started making music, and after graduating from college and serving in the Army, he pursued a career in music. During the late ’50s, he took on his first gig of note as the pianist and arranger for popular vocal quartet, the Hi-Los. It was his work with the group that helped establish them as a major influence on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones. It was around that time that he also arranged music for jazz greats Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, and George Shearing among others. Fischer began recording his own albums in 1962. His output includes First Time Out, Surging Ahead, and Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante Present 2+2 , for which he won a Grammy. Throughout his career, he was recognized with 11 Grammy nominations and two wins. In 1985, Fischer began writing arrangements for Prince. Albums on which they collaborated include Under A Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge. Other artists he arranged for include Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Robert Palmer. On January 26, 2012, Clare Fischer died as a result of a heart attack he suffered some three weeks prior. He was 83.
Dick Kniss was a talented bassist who is best remembered for his tenure with both singer-songwriter, John Denver, and legendary folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, with whom he played for the better part of 50 years. As a member of Denver’s first band during the ’70s, Kniss co-wrote one of his biggest hits, “Sunshine On My Shoulder.” The list of artists he also worked with includes jazz luminaries Woody Herman and Harbie Hancock. Dick Kniss died of pulmonary disease on January 25, 2012. He was 74.
John Levy was a talented bassist who went on to become jazz and pop music’s first African-American artist manager of any significance. Born in New Orleans, Levy ultimately landed in New York City, where in 1949, he was hired to play in the George Shearing Quartet. During those early years, Levy also played with Billie Holiday, Ben Webster, and Errol Garner, to name a few. In 1951, he moved over to artist management – he had already acted as Shearing’s road manager while playing in his band. His client roster included such jazz luminaries as Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, and Ramsey Lewis. In 2006, Levy was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. John Levy was 99 when he passed away in his sleep on January 20, 2012.
Etta James (Born Jamesetta Hawkins) January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012
Etta James was an American singer whose songbook included forays into jazz, blues, soul, gospel and rock ‘n roll. Born in Los Angeles, California, James had what many would consider a rough childhood and spent many years in the charge of caregivers. Singing from a young age, James was just 14 when she caught the ear of music impresario, Johnny Otis. Otis helped her land her first recording contract with Modern Records and before she knew it, she and her group, the Peaches were touring with Little Richard. In 1960, now signed to Chess, James released her debut album, At Last!, which included the smash hit single of the same name. The album, which also included hits like “A Sunday Kind Of Love” and “I Just Want To Make Love To You,” peaked at #68 on the album charts but is nonetheless considered one of the great albums of the era. She went on to have several more hits over the next two decades. After parting ways with Chess in 1978, James struggled with personal issues before launching a well-received come-back during the late ’80s. Over the course of her career, James was awarded six Grammys, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an NAACP Image Award, and permanent homes in the Rock and Roll, Grammy, Blues, and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine ranks her at #22 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, and #62 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists. In 2010, Etta James was diagnosed with leukemia and ultimately died of the disease on January 20, 2012. She was 73.