Rock Star Death Notices - January 2009

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EArtha Kitt, played Batman's Catwoman among many of her triumphs

EArtha Kitt, played Batman's Catwoman among many of her triumphs

Eartha Kitt (Eartha Mae Kitt) - Died December 25 at age 81 of colon cancer. She was a singer, actress and dancer. She did, “Santa Baby” and “Where Is My Man.” She portrayed Catwoman on TV’s, Batman.

Walter Haynes - Died January 1 at age 80 in Tyler, TX. He was a steel guitarist and producer. He co-wrote “Girl On The Billboard.” He worked with Jimmy Dickens (‘We Could”), Del Reeves, Ferlin Husky, Webb Pierce, The Everly Brothers, J.J. Cale, Jeanne Pruett and Patsy Cline (“Walkin’ After Midnight”). He produced Marty Robbins and Bill Monroe. He was a staff musician on The Grand Ole Opry and a steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Mike Mancini (Michael A. Mancini) - Died January 1 at age 82 of pancreatic and liver cancer. He played saxophone, clarinet and flute. He worked with The Don Michaels Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Lois Armstrong and Nat King Cole.

H. Sridhar (aka Sridhar Hariharan and H.Padmanabh) - Died December 1 at age 50 of a heart attack - He was a sound engineer. He worked on over 200 films and for artists John McLaughlin, George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar and John Neptune Kaizan.

Sabu Rex (Leslie Arnold Rex) - Died December 1 at age 57 Multiple organ failure. Was a drummer, a member of The Absolute Zeros (They did, “Don’t Get Me Started” and “Whisper In The Storm”) and worked with Debteras, Donna Summers and Fleetwood Mac.

Nina Creque (Nina R. Brown Creque) - Died December 1 at age 67. She was a singer. She co-wrote, “Island Free.” She was stepdaughter of gospel singer, Lee Bailey and wife of jazz musician, Earl Neal Creque.

Odetta (Odetta Holmes) (aka Odetta Felious and Odetta Gordon) - Died December 2 at age 77 in Manhattan, NY of heart disease. Was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and actress and worked with Larry Mohr, Pete Seeger and Tom Winslow.

Everett Reece - Died December 2 of cancer. He was a pianist and worked with The Junior Blackwood Brothers and The Prophets.

Elmer Valentine - Died December 3 and was born in 1923 in Chicago, Il. He was an owner of Los Angeles’ The Roxy and The Whisky A Go-Go hosting artists such as The Mothers Of Invention, Johnny Rivers, Sonny And Cher, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and The Doors.

Derek Wadsworth (aka Daniel Caine) - Died December 3 at age 69 in Oxfordshire, England. He was a trombonist, composer, keyboardist and arranger. He wrote music for TV’s, Space 1999. As a musician he worked with Keith Smith’s Jazz Cardinals, The Squadronaires, Jack Dorsey, Georgie Fame, Alan Price, The Chris Mercer Jazz Band, George Harrison, Mike Oldfield, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Simply Red, Maynard Ferguson, Alex Harvey, Savoy Brown, Ginger Baker and Tony Bennett. He was an arranger for David Essex, Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, Judy Garland, Kate Bush, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Alan Price, Georgie Fame, The Small Faces, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Rolling Stones and Manfred Mann.

Lala Abbasova - Died December 3 at age 58 in Houston, Texas in a car accident. She was a musician.

Chico Banks (Vernon X. Banks) - Died December 4 at age 46 in Chicago, IL. He was a singer and guitarist. He did, “Your Fine” and “Candy Lickin’ Man.” He worked with Mavis Staples,  Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, James Cotton, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Big Time Sarah and Johnny Christian - Son of guitarist, Jessie Banks.

Bokonggo (Frank Matagolai Pangelinan) - Died December 4 at age 54. He was a songwriter, musician and producer . He did, “Triste Yu.”

Steve Rohatyn - Died December 4 at age 81 in Estevan. He was a musician and a member of The Western Five.

David Ezrin (David Lawrence Ezrin) - Died December 4 at age 42 in Los Angeles, CA. He was a keyboardist, drummer, A&R Man and songwriter. He worked with Lita Ford (“Your Wake Up Call” and “Back To The Cave”), Alice Cooper, KISS, Motorhead, Berlin and Hanoi Rocks. He wrote songs with Lemmy and Nikki Sixx. He worked for Soul Surfer Records and was son of producer Bob Ezrin.

Omar Clay - Died December 4 at age 73 in San Francisco, CA of Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was a percussionist. He worked with Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, David “Fathead” Newman, Dionne Warwick, John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, The Bob James Trio, Max Roach’s M’Boom Ensemble, Guarneri Jazz Quartet, Roberta Flack, Jackie Ryan, Larry Vuckovich, Jon Hendricks, Frank Jackson, Josh Workman and Jeff Chambers.

Frances Lynne - Died December 4 at age 82 in San Francisco, CA of heart failure. She was a singer and guitarist. She worked with Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Charlie Barnet, The Three D, Bobby Hackett, Jerry Wald, Zoot Sims and Gene Krupa. She was married to trumpeter, John Coppola.

Party Arty (Arthur Sheridan) - Died December 4 of health complications and was born in 1979. Was a member of The Ghetto Dwellas (They did, “Get Dirty” and “Who’s The Dirtiest”) and worked with D.I.T.C.

Anca Parghel - Died December 5 at age 51 in Timisoara, Romania of ovarian cancer. She was a singer, songwriter and pianist. She did, “Cornflake” and “Transylvanian Car Change.”

Runar Juliusson - Died December 5 at age 63 of cardiac arrest. He was a singer and bassist and a member of Thor’s Hammer. They did, “Stay” and “If You Knew.”

Dom Mallary (Dominic Mallary) - Died December 5 at age 24 in Boston, MA of a blood clot after being injured during a gig. He was a singer and songwriter. He was a member of Last Lights. They did, “Love And Rent” and “Destroy What Destroys You.”

Vincent Brecknell - Died December 5 at age 50 of multiple sclerosis. He was a drummer and harmonica player and a member of Smoke Stack Lightning.

George Strawser (George E. Strawser) - Died December 5 at age 85 in Austin, TX. He played piano and saxophone. He worked with Benny Goodman, Luis Armstrong, and Woody Herman.

Bobbye King (Bobbie A. King Beavers) - Died December 6 at age 54 in Peoria, Illinois of natural causes. She was a singer and led The Lady’s Choice Band.

Wally Sontag (Wallace D. Sontag) (aka String Bean Wally) - Died December 6 at age 92 in Fitchburg. He played guitar, violin, drum, bass and bass fiddle. He worked with his wife, Yodeling Arlene and was a member of The Ray Little Band, The Sunny Siders and The Originals.

Troy Dixon (aka T-Bag) - Died December 6 in a car accident. He was born in 1981. He was a comedian. He wrote the lyrics and provided the vocals for, “Straight Outta Blood Gulch” for The Pure Pwnage crew.

Douglas Parker (Douglas George Parker) - Died December 6 at age 86. He was a pianist. He worked with Harry James (“Two O’Clock Jump”) and Ray Anthony.

Minoru Endo - Died December 6 in Tokyo, Japan of a heart attack. He was born in 1932 in Tokyo, Japan. He was a composer and wrote over 5,000 songs. His music has been done by Kazuo Funaki (“Koko Sannensei”), Saburo Kitajima, Hibari Misora, Masako Mori (“Sensei”) and Chiyoko Shimakura.

Les Kaczamerek - Died in December in Adelaide Australia of liver failure. He was the original bassist for Cold Chisel.

Mervin Perera - Died December 7 at age 68 in Kalubowila, Sri Lanka. He was a singer and musician. He did, “Me Nagaraya” and “Oba Dedunna.”

Dennis Yost - Died December 7 at age 65 in Hamilton, Ohio of respiratory failure. He as a singer and drummer. He was a member of The Echoes, Leroy & The Moments and The Classics who were renamed The Classics IV (They did, “Spooky” and “Traces Of Love”) and finally renamed Dennis Yost & The Classics IV. He is a Georgia Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Gerardo Luongo - Died December 7 at age 85 in Glen Ridge, NJ. He was a musician and worked with Vaughn Monroe.

Colin Michael Campbell (Colin Campbell) - Died December 7 at age 20 in a car accident. He was a drummer and a member of Who By Fire.

Jimmy Gourley (James Pasco Gourley Jr.) - Died December 7 at age 82 .He was a guitarist. He did, Bamoun Beauty” and “Montagne Madness.” He worked with Jay Burkhart, Bud Powell, Clifford Brown, Kenny Clarke, Zoot Sims, Anita O’Day, Gigi Gryce, Stephane Grapelli and Johnny Griffin.

Vernon McNeill - Died December 8 at age 57 in Minto, New Brunswick in a house fire. He was a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He was a Minto Country Music Wall Of Fame Inductee.

Will Coles - Died December 8 at age 61. He was a bassist and a member of The Bay Horse Flyers.

Pete Carter - Died December 8 at age 73. He played piano, guitar, drums and saxophone. He was a member of Emile Ford And The Checkmates (They did a version of, “What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For”). He worked with The Bachelors, The Rebel Rousers, Jet Harris, Jimmy Justice, The Big Six and Cliff Richard And The Shadows.

Steve Isham - Died December 9 at age 56 of cancer. He was keyboardist. He worked with Holly Penfield, Autograph (They did, “Turn Up The Radio” and “Blondes In Black Cars”), The Pack and Vince Neal.

Didith Reyes (Helen Sta. Maria) - Died December 10 at age 60 in Binan, Laguna, Philippines from a stomach problem. She was a singer. She did, “Nananabik” and “Aliw.” She worked with The Time Machine and The Circus Band.

Dorothy Porter (Dorothy Featherstone Porter) - Died December 10 at age 54 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia of breast cancer. She was a poet. She co-wrote songs for the rock opera, January with Tim Finn. She wrote the book, The Monkey’s Mask.

Brillo Roberts (Christopher James Roberts) - Died December 10 at age 38. He played drums, guitar, piano and saxophone. He was a drum tech for Sacred Reich.

Lenny Hutter - Died December 10at age 64 of cardiac and respiratory ailments. He was a singer and worked with The Five Discs (They did, “Come On Baby” and “I Don’t Know What I’ll Do”) and The Chalets (They did, “Fat-Mom-Mio” and “My Foolish Heart”).

Bill Ashford - Died December 10 at age 66 in Ocala, FL. He was a DJ and a pioneer of free form radio. He was considered a musician’s disc jockey. He co-wrote Tim & Mollie O’Brien’s, “Floods Of South Dakota.” He was once married to singer, Judy Roderick.

Bob Winesett (Robert Newell Winesett Sr.) - Died December 11 at age 88. He was the owner of Entro Records which released recordings by Roger Tripp and The Ole Rasmussen Band.

Lowe Murray (Marlowe A. Murray) - Died December 11at age 73 in Brooklyn, NY of lung cancer. He was a singer. He worked with The Cavaliers (They did, “You Thrill Me So”), The Fi-Tones (They did,  “It Wasn’t A Lie” and “I Belong To You”) and The Harptones. He was a Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Foundation Inductee.

Jeff Chance (Jeffery Barosh Sr.) - Died December 12 at age 53. He was a singer, fiddler and guitarist. He did, “So Far Not So Good” and “Hopelessly Falling.” He worked with Johnny Bush and Johnny Lyon.

Big Man Greg Lawrence - Died in December.  He was 54 years old and born in Surrey. He was a singer and led Big Man And His Band.

Ramon Barce - Died December 14 at age 80 in Madrid, Spain. He was a composer and teacher. He did, “Concierto para piano y orquesta” and “Las cuatro estaciones.” He led Nueva Musica and Zaj. He was a music critic for Madrid’s Ya.

John Kelley (John B. Kelley) - Died December 14 at age 61 of an illness. He was a singer and guitarist. He was a member of The Gilgarra Trio, Oasis and Kith & Kin (They did, “One Morning In May” and “Back Home In Dairy”).

James Payton (James E. Payton) - Died December 14 at age 50 in Detroit, Michigan of a heart attack. He played saxophone, flute and piano. He was a member of Impact 7. He worked with The Temptations, The Dramatics, The Stylistics, Dennis Edward, Joceylyn, Luther Badman Keith and The Vandellas.

Jack Quigley (John Robert Quigley) - Died December 14 at age 79 in Burbank, CA of a heart attack. He was a composer, conductor and pianist. He led The Jack Quigley Trio (They did, “D’jever?” and “Presto”) - His songs have been done by The Boston String Quartet and Johnny Mathis (“Rapture”).

Davey Graham (David Michael Gordon Graham) (aka Davy Graham) - Died December 15 at age 68 in London, England of a seizure. He was a singer, guitarist and arranger. He did, “Fingerbuster” and “Anji.” He worked with Bert Jansch, Martin Carthy,  Duck Baker and Mark Pavey.

Loyd Howell (Loyd N. Howell) - Died December 15 at age 76 of an illness. He was a singer and led Loyd Howell And The Blue Stars. He was a mayor of Wayneboro, TN.

Clyde “Kindy” Sproat (Clyde Halemaumau Sproat) - Died December 15 at age 78 in Hawaii. He played guitar and ukulele and was a singer.

John Bowman - Died December 15 at age 87 in Ithaca, NY. He was a pianist and lled The John Bowman Trio.

Dr. Charles Borne (Dr. Charles A. Borne Jr.) - Died December 15 at age 75 of colon cancer. He was a pianist and founder of The Strand Street 6 7/8 Dixeland Jazz Band.

Harold Gramatges - Died December 16 at age 90 in Havana, Cuba. He was a composer and pianist.

Texas Pete Mayes (Floyd Davis Mayes) (aka T-Bone Man) - Died December 16 at age 70 in Houston, TX He was a guitarist and singer. He did, “Just Like A Fish” and “Pony Tail.” He led The Houserockers. He worked with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, T-Bone Walker, Junior Parker, Bill Doggett and Little Milton. He ran The Double Bayou Dance Hall. He recorded for Antone’s, Goldrhythm Music, Home Cooking, Sawdust Alley and Wolf Records.

Cyril Knowles - Died December 16 at age 87. He was a drummer and led Cyril’s Rhythm Boys and The Vernon Gallery Big Band. He worked with Jack Jackson, The Strollers and Gracie Fields.

Nasir P. Ramlee - Died December 17 at age 55 of cardiac arrest and acute renal failure. He was a musician, actor and musical director. He produced Bujang Lapuk Kembali Daa, Pagar-Pagar Cinta and Manis-Manis Sayang.

Amy Golden Uleis - Died December 17 at age 52. She was a singer, songwriter and pianist. She did, “Save Me From Myself” and “Writing On The Wall.”

John Byrne (John Sean Byrne) - Died December 17 of cirrhosis and was born in 1947 in Dublin, Ireland. He was a singer and guitarist and a member of Count Five (They did, “Psychotic Reaction” and “Peace Of Mind”) and The Count. He was a San Jose Rock Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Benjamin Simpson (Benjamin Arthur Simpson Sr.) - Died December 17 at age 74 in Goodland. The single engine plane he was piloting, crashed. He was a singer and guitarist and worked with Patsy Cline.

Freddy Breck (Gerhard Breker) - Died December 17 at age 66 in Tegernsee of cancer. He was a singer, composer and producer. He did, “Frauen und Wein” and “Uberall auf der Welt.” He was half of the duo, Astrid & Freddy Breck with his wife.

Feliciano Vierra Tavares Sr. (aka Flash) - Died December 17 at age 88 in Hyannis, MA of prostate cancer. He was a singer and guitarist. He worked with his sister, Vicki Vierra and with Walter Williams And The Hep-Cats, The Jimmy Barros Band (They did,  “Sacramente”) and The Creole Sextet. He was the patriarch of the singing group, Tavares. He was a Cape Verdean Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Turgun Alimatov - Died December 17 at age 86. He played the tanbur and the dutar. He did, “The Segah” and “The Nawa.”

Louie Bashell - Milwaukee’s polka king - Died December 17 at age 94 of complications from pneumonia. He was born in Milwaukee, WI. He played accordion. He did, “The Silk Umbrella Polka.” He was a Wisconsin Polka Hall Of Fame Inductee and National Cleveland Style Polka Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Rob Brumfiel Died December 18 at age 55 of an illness. He was a guitarist, producer and recording engineer. He worked with The Balloon Band, Billy Zenn & The Ringers, Donna Mogavero, Grace Adele, El Kabong, Molly Pauken and Smokin’ Section.

Buddy Charles (Charles Joseph Gries) - Died December 19 in Morton Grove, IL of leukemia. He was born in 1927 in Chicago, IL. He was a pianist and singer. He worked with his step father, Mugsy Spanier (“Moonglow”) and with Wade Nelson.

Kenn Cox (Kenneth Louis Cox II) - Died December 19 at age 68 in Detroit, Mich. of lung cancer. He was a pianist, bassist, bassoonist, trumpeter and composer. He led Kenn Cox And The Drum, The Guerilla Jam Band and The Contemporary Jazz Quintet (CJQ) (They did, “Trance Dance” and “Mystique”). He worked with Ben Webster, Jackie McLean, Etta Jones, Roy Haynes, Eddie Harris, Yusef Lateef, George Bohannon’s Quintet and Wes Montgomery.

Page Cavanaugh (Walter Page Cavanaugh) - Died December 19 at age 86 in Granada Hills, CA of kidney failure. He was a pianist, singer, composer and arranger. He led The Page Cavanaugh Trio (They did, “The Three Bears” and “She Had To Go”) and The Page 7. He worked with The Ernie Williamson band, The Bobby Sherwood band, The Three Sergeants, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Johnny Desmond, Jane Powell and Doris Day.

Adrian Mitchell - Died December 20 at age 76 in London, England of a heart attack. He was a poet, writer, playwright and lyricist. He wrote, “Victor Jara” with Arlo Guthrie and the lyrics for, “Tell Me Lies About Vietnam.” He collaborated with Dominic Muldowney, Stephen Warbeck, Andy Roberts, Steve McNeff, Richard Peaslee and Andrew Dixon.

Rik Taylor - Died December 20 at age 49 of a heart attack. He was a guitarist and worked with Clientelle (They did, “Can’t Forget”), Walking On Ice, Devlin and The Matrix.

Graham Green - Died December 20 at age 73 in Hinksford Gardens, Swindon, South Staffordshire, England of an illness. He was a singer, songwriter and musician. He was a member of Giggetty (They did, “Penny For The Guy” and “Severn Valley Railway”).

Paul Strausman - Died December 21 at age 54 of a heart attack. He was a singer and songwriter and played guitar, piano, mandolin and banjo. He did, “What Happened To The Dinosaurs?” and “Daddy Long Legs.”

John Gooch - Died December 22 at age 58. He was a pianist. He performed in The British Music Hall West End Christmas Revues for more than 20 years. He worked with Noel Coward, Jonathan Richards and Richard Snider.

Steve Hacker (Stephen J. Hacker) - Died December 22 at age 59 Vanderburgh County from smoke inhalation during a house fire. He was a bassist and a member of The Villains (They did, “Don’t Ever Leave Me” and a version of, “Shortnin’ Bread”).

Bud Prager - Died December 22 at age 79 in Montauk, NY of esophageal cancer. He was a record label executive, producer and manager. He worked with Mountain, The Chambers Brothers, Free, Mitch Ryder, Foreigner, Megadeth, Damn Yankees, Whitesnake, The Youngbloods and West, Bruce & Laing. He was co-founder of Windfall Records with Felix Pappalardi.

Kofi Ghanaba (Kpakpo Akwei) (Warren Gamaliel Akwei) (aka Guy Warren) - Died December 22 at age 85 in Accra of an illness. He was a percussionist. He worked with The Accra Rhythmic Orchestra and, Thelonious Monk, Lester Young, The Tempos, Charlie Parker and Johnny Esposito (“That Happy Feeling”).

Alf Robertson - Died December 24 at age 67 of an illness. He was a singer and composer . He did, “Lasse och Marie” and “Hundar, ungar och hembryggt appel.”

Rick Darnell - Died December 24 of an illness. He co-wrote, “The Thrill Is Gone” with Roy Hawkins. The song was first released by Roy Hawkins and has since been done by Willie Nelson, Roberta Flack, Peggy Lee, Dishwalla and became B.B. King’s signature song.

Dickie Jobson (Richard Jobson) - Died December 24. He was a producer, director and music consultant. He was a director of Island Records and Blue Mountain Music. He managed Bob Marley And The Wailers. Joe Higgs, Toots Hibbert and Jimmy Cliff. He was honored at the Reggae Film Festival for his film, Countryman.

Heath Sammons (Heath William Sammons) - Died December 24 at age 20 of Osteosarcoma. He was a guitarist and songwriter and a member of Kashmir, Kileva and The Under Construction Band. He worked with Slash.

Robert Ward Sr. - Died December 25 at age 70 in Dry Branch, GA of health complications. He was a guitarist and singer. He was a member of The Ohio Untouchables (They did, “Your Love Is Amazing” and “Forgive Me Darling”), a band that later became The Ohio Players. He worked with The Brassettes, The Undisputed Truth, Wilson Pickett and The Temptations. He was father of drummer, Robert Ward Jr.

Vinnie Naccarato (Vincent H. Naccarato) - Died December 26 at age 66 of pancreatic cancer. He was a singer. He was a member of The Supremes who changed their name to The Capris (They did, “There’s A Moon Out Tonight” and “Indian Girl”). He was a Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Foundation Inductee.

Delaney Bramlett - Died December 27 at age 69 in Los Angeles, CA due to complications from gall bladder surgery. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. He co-wrote, “Let it Rain” and “Superstar.” He was a member of Delaney, Bonnie & Friends. He worked with George Harrison, The Everly Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Dave Mason, Elvin Bishop, Billy Preston, Jerry Lee Lewis, Janis Joplin, J.J. Cale, Mac Davis, Leon Russell, Etta James and Eric Clapton.

Joseph Lombardi (Joseph G. Lombardi) - Died December 27at age 86 in Staten Island, NY. He played saxophone, accordion and flute. He worked with The Jimmy Febb Orchestra and Swing Time.

Lars Hollmer (Lars Gustav Gabriel Hollmer) - Died December 27 and was born in 1948. He was an accordionist, keyboardist and composer. He worked with Samla Mammas Manna, Fanfare Pourpour, Accordion Tribe, Fred Frith and Looping Home Orchestra.

Vincent Ford (aka Tata) - Died December 28 at age 68 in Jamaica due to complications from diabetes. He wrote Bob Marley & The Wailers’, “Roots, Rock, Reggae” and is credited with writing their, “No Woman, No Cry.”

Freddie Hubbard (Frederick Dewayne Hubbard) - Died December 29 at age 70 in Sherman Oaks, CA due to complications after a heart attack. He was a trumpeter. He worked with Bobby Hutcherson, Oliver Nelson, Andrew Hill, Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyne, Sonny Rollins, Slide Hampton, Tina Brooks, Herbie Hancock and Art Blakey.

Ernest Allen Jr. - Died December 29 at age 48. He was shot during a robbery. He was a guitarist. He worked with Zoraida Colon (aka Lady Z). He was son of guitarist, Ernest Allen Sr.

Bob Boatright - Died December 29 at age 69 of cancer. He played fiddle and was a member of The Texas Playboys. He worked with Dave Alexander And His Legends Of Western Swing Band, The Light Crust Doughboys, Tex Ritter, Asleep At The Wheel, Sheb Woolley, Mel Tillis, Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, The Chisholm Trail Cowboys and George Strait.

Harold Rollenhagen (Harold F. Rollenhagen) - Died December 30 at age 98 in Blue Earth, MN. He was a musician. He worked with The Rollenhagen Rhythm Ramblers, The Mansfield Band and The Roger Passer Combo.

Nicky Capezuto (Nicholas C. Capezuto) - Died December 30 at age 81 of an illness. He was a trumpet player. He worked with Louis Prima, Harry James, Larry Clinton, Tex Beneke and Herb Pomeroy