Walt Dickerson
April 16, 1931 – May 15, 2008
Walt Dickerson was a jazz vibraphonist that who played what is generally referred to as post bop. Down Beat magazine called him the best new artist in 1962. Over the years, he worked with Andrew Hill, Andrew Cyrille, John Coltrane and Sun Ra. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 80.
Bob Florence
May 30, 1932 – May 15, 2008
Bob Florence was an award winning pianist and arranger whose interest in the piano started when he began taking lessons at the age of five. He also led his own Los Angeles-based big band, Limited Edition, for some 50 years. Throughout his career, he received sixteen nominations, winning one for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 2000. He also won two Emmys for his work as Music Director on Julie Andrews In Concert and Linda Lavin’s Linda In Wonderland. Florence passed away in his home just days before his 76th birthday.
Jimmy Martin
August 10, 1927 – May 14, 2005
Jimmy Martin was a guitarist and singer who has been called the “King Of Bluegrass.” While looking to get his break in 1949, Martin sneaked backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and positioned himself so that passersby could hear him picking. On such person was the Blue Grass Boys’ Rudy Lyle who was impressed enough to bring Martin to meet his boss, Bill Monroe. After hearing just two songs, Monroe was so impressed by Martin’s picking and strong tenor voice that he hired him on the spot. He stayed with Monroe for the better part of the next six years and then soon thereafter formed his own band, the Sunny Mountain Boys. Martin built a name for himself with his unique voice as well as with his fun and unpredictable lives shows. In 1971, he performed on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s landmark album Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Jimmy Martin was 77 when he died of bladder cancer on May 14, 2005.
Charles “Buddy” Montgomery
January 30, 1930 – May 14, 2009
Buddy Montgomery was a jazz pianist and vibraphonist as well as the younger brother of Wes Montgomery and Monk Montgomery with whom he recorded with at the Montgomery Brothers. Montgomery began playing the piano in his teens and was soon touring as part of Big Joe Turner’s band. He also played with Miles Davis. Montgomery passed away of heart failure at the age of 79.
Keith Relf
March 22, 1943 – May 14, 1976
Keith Relf was the lead singer and harmonica player for the Yardbirds, the British blues rock band that launched Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. After the breakup of the Yardbirds, Relf worked in such bands as Renaissance and Armageddon as well as produced the likes of Amber, Saturnalia and Medicine Head. Relf’s life was tragically cut short at 33 when he was electrocuted while playing an improperly grounded guitar.
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