Saxophonist and flutist Gerry Niewood died in the plane crash in Buffalo last night. He was a wonderful player whose saxophone was heard most famously with Chuck Mangione and on the Concert In Central Park album by Simon & Garfunkel.

Niewood was one of the first horn players I ever knew by name because Paul Simon yells out his name after a solo on that live album. I’ve always been a huge Chuck Mangione fan, too, and own all the LPs that Chuck and Gerry made together, many of them recorded in their native Rochester.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Gerry Niewood in 2004 at Jazz90.1. He was very gracious, humble and funny. I interviewed his son Adam in the fall of last year. He’s also a very talented saxophonist, and he talked quite a bit about Gerry during the interview.

LISTEN to the interview with Adam Niewood. He starts talking about his dad halfway through.

My condolences go out to Adam and the entire Niewood family. What a sad, sad day.

UPDATE: Here are some of the many press stories about Gerry’s passing:

• Buffalo crash silences saxophonist Gerry Niewood
• Two Jazz Musicians On Board
• Buffalo crash silences Gerry Niewood, Rochester native and saxophonist (From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
• Gerry Niewood, Glen Ridge Jazz Musician, Perishes In Plane Crash

Musicians’ Village was conceived by New Orleans natives (and jazz musicians) Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis. Musicians’ Village will provide a home for both the artists who have defined the city’s culture and the sounds that have shaped the musical vernacular of the world.

Please visit them today and give whatever you can afford. Thank you.

The mission of the Tipitina’s Foundation is to restore Louisiana’s irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical cultures. The history of the Tipitina’s Foundation originates from the Tipitina’s music venue, a revered cultural icon that continues to be instrumental in the development and promotion of New Orleans music around the world. The foundation works to support childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians, and the increased profile and viability of New Orleans music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource.

The Tipitina’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1997, has worked diligently to uplift the music community of New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, the Foundation adjusted its programs to contribute to rebuilding the musical culture of New Orleans. The Tipitina’s Foundation focuses it efforts on four programs:

1. Instruments A Comin’, which purchases much needed instruments for New Orleans area school band programs. To date we have purchased over one million dollars worth of instruments for over 20 schools benefiting over 800 students.
2. Tipitina’s Internship Program is a mentoring program teaching all aspects of the music industry to New Orleans exceptional music students. Since its launch in 2003, we have had over 60 interns who have completed the program and gone on to further there music and production careers at established organizations such as Juilliard School, Brown University, Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts / NYU, and the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
3. Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op, statewide resource facilities providing business development and job skills training for local musicians and other digital media professionals. New Orleans, Shreveport, Alexandria boasts over 1,000 members statewide. The Baton Rouge Co-Op opening date to be determined.
4. Sunday Music Workshops offer students the opportunity to play with and learn from the best musicians in the city including featured artists, Stanton Moore, Johnny Vidacovich, Kirk Joseph, and Theresa Anderson.

   Through these efforts, the Tipitina’s Foundation is preserving the musical cultures of New Orleans.

   

   ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/09/03/tjs-cause-of-the-month-tipitinas-foundation/feed/ 0 http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:54:03 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/

   Every month, The Jazz Session asks you to take a little of your hard-earned cash and give it to folks who need it. This month’s cause:

   

   The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving elementary school children of all backgrounds and, diversities. In its capacity as a public charity, the Foundation operates in affiliation with, but separately from, VH1 the cable music channel.

   The VH1 Save The Music Foundation provides a unique service in its efforts to improve the current state of education. The Foundation works directly to support only music education programs and does not provide any money to the school or school district. Instead, The Foundation provides complete band, string, keyboard, or guitar programs to benefiting schools. It is our belief that by providing instruments and not funding, our contribution will be used for its intended purpose: the restoration of public school music programs.

   Please help these folks do what they do by visiting their Web site. Thanks!

   

   ]]> http://thejazzsession.com/2007/08/05/tjs-cause-of-the-month-vh1-save-the-music-foundation/feed/ 0 http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/02/tjs-cause-of-the-month-music-maker-relief-foundation/ http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/02/tjs-cause-of-the-month-music-maker-relief-foundation/#comments Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:47:55 +0000 Jason Crane http://thejazzsession.com/2007/06/02/tjs-cause-of-the-month-music-maker-relief-foundation/

   In May, I was asking you to support Bloggers for a Cure. That seemed like such a good idea that I’ve decided to launch a regular feature, The Jazz Session Cause of the Month. This month, it’s:

   

   Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day-to-day needs. They present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations. Their criteria for recipients are that they be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older and have an annual income of less than $18,000. Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt, public charity under IRS code 501(c)3.

   Please help these folks do what they do by visiting their Web site. Thanks.

   

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