This write up was in the Star Tribune today:
An unsinkable spirit
Last update: December 13, 2007 - 5:22 PM
An unsinkable spirit After two dozen gigs and a monthlong European tour, alto-sax great Frank Morgan wasn't feeling well when he arrived home in Minneapolis Nov. 30. The diagnosis: inoperable colon cancer. "He fades in and out of sleep but his spirits are very good," said his second cousin by marriage, Lance Taylor, with whom the 73-year-old jazzman has lived for the past two years. In his hospital room, Morgan sometimes listens (softly) to his favorites -- Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ahmad Jamal -- and has been autographing his CDs for staffers. A prodigy-turned-junkie who spent 30 years in prison, he made a comeback in the 1980s and moved back to his birth city in 2005. His final days will be spent at home, in hospice care. Taylor said Morgan "made peace with his manager on the phone and said his usual line: 'Ain't it great to be alive?' He knows what's happening."
JON BREAM
It doesn't seem like a very respectfully written piece but regardless it is still some very sad news.
Sad news about Frank Morgan
Started by
HolyStitt
, Dec 14 2007 10:36 AM
54 replies to this topic
#3
Free For All
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Super Bad
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 12:07 PM
I had the opportunity to meet and play with him last summer at the Brubeck Institute. A very sweet man, and when he played his whole life came pouring out of the horn. He was very frail at that point, and I had the feeling that he might not be around much longer. I hope he can spend his last days in as much comfort as is possible.
"Ain't it great to be alive!", that was his mantra. I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with him.
"Ain't it great to be alive!", that was his mantra. I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with him.
#9
ValerieB
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Groove Merchant
Posted 14 December 2007 - 01:26 PM
he just played on the north sea jazz cruise 5 months ago and was a joyous spirit and played his butt off!! i wish him a peaceful, comfortable journey. i know a friend of his from years past who is going through the exact same thing. it's rather eerie, to say the least.
#12
sheldonm
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Funktastic!!
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 04:56 PM
This is very sad news. I only wish he isn't suffering too much. I've seen him live many times.
I've seen him many times myself...a gentle spirit. Always sitting on the bandstand with a little smile on his face when he's not playing....well... except the one time I saw him chew on the piano player after a Monk tune
but other than that, a wonderful, soft-spoken guy.Hardbop's avatar is a image I made of Frank at the old Jazz Showcase!
m~
#15
ghost of miles
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Groovissimo!
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 05:43 PM
Message on the Jazz Programmers Listserv:
I'm very sorry to pass it along. The thread here was the first indication I'd had that he was in a bad way... it has been a brutal holiday season in terms of public figures and personal acquaintances.
We've just been notified that Frank Morgan passed away peacefully from
kidney failure this morning, near his family and friends in his hometown
of Minneapolis. He had just completed a successful European tour, even
though he was worried about his health. A memorial gathering is planned
in his longtime home town of Taos, New Mexico, on what would have been
his 74th, birthday, December 23.
I'm very sorry to pass it along. The thread here was the first indication I'd had that he was in a bad way... it has been a brutal holiday season in terms of public figures and personal acquaintances.
#16
JSngry
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 05:47 PM
His death was inevitable, as it is for all of us. His life was a triumph, which is anything but inevitable for all of us.
Here's to Frank Morgan, great musician and winner at life, not necessarily in that order.
Here's to Frank Morgan, great musician and winner at life, not necessarily in that order.
#23
JSngry
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 06:35 PM
"30 years in prison"?????
WTF? Did he kill someone??
Sad day. I'm glad I got to see him a couple of times in the past few years. Rest in peace, Frank.
Morgan's junkie years were spent doing what junkies do to get money to support their habit. Several convictions for robbery, etc. & failed paroles.
#24
J.H. Deeley
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 06:43 PM
"30 years in prison"?????
WTF? Did he kill someone??
Sad day. I'm glad I got to see him a couple of times in the past few years. Rest in peace, Frank.
Morgan's junkie years were spent doing what junkies do to get money to support their habit. Several convictions for robbery, etc. & failed paroles.
Oh. I knew he had spent some time(I was thinking it was just a few years) in prison but I didn't realize it was for robbery. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
#26
TedR
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Posted 14 December 2007 - 08:50 PM
Very upset to hear this news. Earlier this year I jumped at the chance to drive Frank from Toledo, Oh (he had a gig in downtown Toledo) to Cleveland where he played a brunch concert as part of the Tri C Jazz Fest. One of life's great experiences to spend a couple of hours with him hearing about his life and music. He was a gentle man and a gentleman.
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