Life Member. Violin
2/3/1942 – 4/5/2019
Submitted by the Farkas/Vener families
The music world lost one of its greats on Friday, April 5, 2019, when violinist Pavel Farkas, passed away at the age of 77. Mr. Farkas was a loving husband, devoted father of three and proud grandfather of 11. Continue reading
Rosita performing for Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
Life Member. Latin & Brazilian Percussion/Vocals
12/9/1924 – 4/3/2019
Rosita Duchesne Mallah was born December 9,1924 in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She joined the Los Angeles musicians union, AFM Local 47, in 1961 and remained a member until her passing. She was a staunch supporter of the Musicians Union, and her late husband was Charles Mallah (guitar, bandleader), who had served on the Local 47 Executive Board for many years. Continue reading
We honor the memory of the following members whose deaths were reported between Feb. 16 – March 15, 2019: Continue reading
Hal Blaine’s drums can be heard as part of the Wall of Sound on the Ronettes’ 1963 hit “Be My Baby” produced by Phil Spector at Hollywood’s Gold Star Studios, founded by David S. Gold and Stan Ross in 1950.
Life Member. Drum Set
2/5/1929 – 3/11/2019
by David Gold
Musician, drummer,
and sometimes conductor too,
Four bass beats to set the tempo,
And start the music too.The bass, the toms and symbols still,
The sticks now quietly lie on the snare,
And now the stool is empty too.
For Hal is no longer there.
Former Member. Bass/Keyboard
2/13/1942 – 2/21/2019
Peter Halsten Thorkelson, better known as Peter Tork, was an American musician, composer and actor, best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees. Continue reading
Member. Drum Set
8/13/1932 – 11/1/2018
Love of music and family were the driving forces during Danny Pucillo’s 86 years of life.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, he originally wanted to play the trumpet. However, at the age of 10, his mother took him to the Strand Theatre in New York City, and once he saw the indelible image of Gene Krupa playing his signature floor tom beat, extending up on the fine white projection screen, he was captivated by the mastery of what Krupa had played. Danny knew he had to become a drummer. Continue reading
Former Member. Trumpet
5/19/1929 – 1/5/2019
by Kirk Silbee
Ralph Jungheim, a record producer, impresario, photographer and an all-around friend to jazz, has died. He oversaw 58 albums as an independent producer for such artists as Earl “Fatha” Hines, Freddie Hubbard, Ruth Brown, Joe Pass, Michel Legrand, Jimmy Rowles, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Witherspoon, Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All Stars, Jack Sheldon, Wild Bill Davison and Eddie Miller, Jackie Allen, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Bill Berry’s Ellington All-Stars, Charles Neville, Tommy Newsom, Mavis Rivers, James Zollar and John Dentz. Jungheim passed away on January 5, due to complications of a longtime illness. Continue reading
Former Member. Trombone
2/12/1924 – 1/25/2019
Ray Victor, musician, actor, lyricist and writer passed January 25, 2019. Ray was born Ray Moreno Vasquez February 12, 1924. He was 94 years old, and two weeks shy of 95. Continue reading
We honor the memory of the following members whose deaths were reported between Dec. 11, 2018 – Jan. 15, 2019: Continue reading
Life Member. Saxophone
4/26/1931 – 12/12/2018
Cecil Dale Hill was born in San Antonio, Texas, April 26, 1931. He passed away December 12, 2018. He was a father of six children and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret. He had nine grandchildren. And the great-grandchildren are still coming! Continue reading