I can't be the only jazz listener who has no idea who is dead or alive.

I'm always shocked to find out who is turning 80 who I'd assumed passed onto the next realm already. And vice versa.

Any good ones? Of either realm?

If they are still breathing, it is reasonable to assume that they are among the living. One thing I have learned is to always double check obituaries—I produced two sessions with an artist whose obituary had been published ten years earlier. BTW, she had read it and was somewhat flattered by it.

I think it's pretty crazy that Hank Jones is still alive (I belive he's 90) . . . I was surprised to learn recently that Jimmy Heath is still alive.

I thought this thread about these dudes

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&...a=N&tab=wv#

I'm sure Allen Lowe died a few years ago.

Well, if you thought that Jerry Reed was still alive you'd be right.

Until a couple of days ago.

Damn, I had no idea. RIP, Snowman.

I'M BACK

Well, dang me.

I remember going into either Sweet Basil or Fat Tuesday back in 1979 to catch a set by James Moody & being shocked to find that Al Harewood, who I had just assumed was already dead, was not only on drums, but was in fact not dead. Imagine my surprise!

So, is Al Harewood still not dead?

Bebop lives.

He was a year ago in April: Harlem Speaks Al Harewood

The Dead Rock Stars Club is a good website to look this up - they list most jazz musicians just as well.

Hitler is still alive, also Mother Theresa!

Seriously, I'm often astonished by these r.i.p. threads, too. Recently the one about Jimmy Cleveland, for instance... I didn't have the slightest idea he was still around.

I remember Harewood - used to see him in the 1970s - looked alive then -

maybe people thought he was dead because he's a drummer who plays very quietly....

The internet says that Frank Strozier is still alive, and that "little has been heard of" him since about 1990.

I didn't realize that Urbie Green was still around until I saw his name in the Hot House jazz magazine. He is playing in the NY area this September.

Another one is Gildo Mahones. I didn't think he was around but he is.

four brother Herbie Steward
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie_Steward
if he is still alive...

another one according to wikipedia
Sir Charles Thompson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Charles_Thompson

one where i was surprised recently is Hal Singer

just found out cat anderson died the day i was born (ellington's birthday) enough for today...

So does bassist Henry Grimes, despite reports of his death 25 years ago.

The most amazing jazz obituary I read this year was that of Franz Jackson, the longtime Chicago tenor saxophonist/clarinetist/vocalist who played with Albert Ammons, Earl Hines, Fletcher Henderson, and Fats Waller. Franz passed away a few months ago after playing for 3 hours at his own 95th birthday party.

Blimey - Buster Keaton was still alive?

Well, heck; everyone was still alive at some point...

According to the site, Frankie Valli is still alive. People, there's just no excuse for this.