Died On This Date (June 10, 2009) Jack Nimitz / Jazz Saxophonist
themusicsover Jack Nimitz
January 11, 1930 – June 10, 2009
Jack Nimitz began playing the saxophone while a teenager in Washington DC. Throughout the ’50s, he played with such jazz greats as Woody Herman, Herbie Mann and Stan Getz. During the ’60s, Nimitz moved to Los Angeles to do film session work and continued to play with a who’s who list of West Coast jazz greats. During the ’70s, he played with a popular Charlie Parker tribute band called Supersax. Jack Nimitz died of emphysema at the age of 79.
Barry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable who’s who of popular music. Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, 
Ragamuffin was a really cool cat whose connection to popular music goes back to the Spring of 1989 when bands like Guns ‘n’ Roses, Poison and his favorite treat, Ratt ruled the boulevards near his first home in Glendale, California. Even within those first few weeks of his life, it was quite apparent that Ragamuffin was taken with the music that constantly played throughout his apartment, and in particular, the dancehall reggae of such artists as Yellowman, Buju Banton, and Luciano. He therefore became known as Ragamuffin, a form of dancehall whose sound is primarily made up of electronic music. in 1995, Ragamuffin moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, the so-called birthplace of Rock & Roll and home to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. While in Cleveland, Ragamuffin lived through the most snowfall in Cleveland history. Back in Southern California in 1999, Ragamuffin reached an international audience when he was featured in a short essay called “The Cat Doctor,” in the best selling book, Chicken Soup For The Cat & Dog Lover’s Soul. Throughout his long and healthy life, Ragamuffin survived the torment of three dogs, the 1994 Northridge earthquake, a hot drive across the country, and countless hairballs. Sadly, Raggamuffin’s health began to deteriorate as he neared 20 years old. He was laid to rest on June 9, 2008, leaving behind canine brother and sister, Marley and Nicki.
