Category Archives: In Memoriam/Final Notes

Final Note: Dr. Thom Mason

Former Life Member. Composer
10/10/1941 – 10/22/2022

by Dr. Bruce Eskovitz

How do we honor a man like Dr. Thom David Mason, an artist, a mentor, an educator a husband and a friend? We cherish his legacy as seen by my colleagues on this stage and the many hundreds of musicians that his teaching influenced for more than 50 years. The classes that he created, like “Jazz, Ragtime & Blues,” which brought this music closer to generations of USC general education students, who learned to love this music through the passion and intelligence that Dr. Thom professed to all. He created the DMA in Jazz Studies, which opened the door to that advanced degree for myself and many of the artists that share this stage today. His book “The Art of Hearing” revolutionized solfeggio in a manner that made it a viable and usable tool for jazz musicians and jazz music students. Dr. Thom was a brilliant man who always sought to inform, educate and create opportunity where none had existed before. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Terry Woodson

Life Member. Conductor/Director
12/19/1941 – 10/19/2022

by JB Griffiths

Terry Clark Woodson passed away peacefully at his home in Studio City, California on October 19, 2022. Terry was born on December 19, 1941, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Tulsa’s Central High School and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Master’s degree in Music, before moving to Los Angeles in 1964 to pursue a career in music. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Juliann French

Member. Violin
5/1/1958 – 10/3/2022

Juliann May French, 64, of Santa Cruz, CA died unexpectedly Monday, October 3 in Santa Maria, CA. She was born May 1, 1958 in Omaha to Patricia and Merwyn G. French Jr. then of Page, Nebraska. Juliann is the loving mother of Mikaila Kaiser of Santa Cruz, CA. The two share an exceptionally close bond. Continue reading →

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Remembrance: Billy Higgins

Member. Drum Set
10/11/1936 – 5/3/2001

This is just a most fond remembrance for my first blessed husband, Billy Higgins. We were always kindred spirits, 1957 ’til forever. He will never be forgotten from Jeani and his daughter Heidi. 

“How do I love you, let me count the ways!” His favorite verse.

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Final Note: Artie Kane

Life Member. Composer
4/14/1929 – 6/21/2022

by Mike Lang, Life Member

So sad to read of Artie’s departure…

Artie was so special on so many levels, having had three uniquely successful careers… firstly, as a first call studio pianist, then, as a prolific and talented composer for film and television, and, finally, as the “go-to” conductor for major film composers. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Glenn Arlington Mitchell

Life Member. String Bass
7/26/1941 – 4/6/2022

‘Jazz music will live forever in my heart’

by Zoila Ramos Mitchell

Glenn Arlington Mitchell — musician, writer, artist, conductor, husband and lover of jazz music — was born in the city of Hollywood on July 26, 1941. His father, Uber Arlington Mitchell, was from Colorado, and Elle Foust was from California. Continue reading →

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Final Note: Robert G. Bornstein

Life Member. Orchestrator
5/14/1928 – 2/18/2022

Robert G. (Bob) Bornstein, the legendary music arranger and orchestrator, died peacefully in his sleep at home with his wife and loving caregivers by his side on February 18, 2022, after living with dementia for seven years. Bob was renowned in the entertainment industry, having worked on more than 600 films, countless television shows and the Academy Awards for 32 years. He worked with some of the industry’s top composers including Bill Conti, James Horner, Danny Elfman, Marvin Hamlisch, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Randy Newman, Nelson Riddle, John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Continue reading →

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