Message re: John Stubblefied

[medjuck]

This was forwarded to me by my friend Mike Goodwin. He has Katherine's permission to circulate it.

>I am Katherine Gogel, John Stubblefield's girlfriend.

>

>Since 4th March, John has been at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. The

>cancer had begun to gain strength since January, causing much pain. For 9

>days in February John went to Beth Israel Hospital to deal with the

>pain. He wanted to return to the nursing home. The pain continued and

>his oncologist recommended that he move to Calvary, which is a hospice.

>

>Since John arrived at Calvary, he has been bed ridden. He receives enough

>morphine that most of the time he sleeps. It is a very hard time for all

>of us, and a very lonely time for John. I live in Massachusetts and his

>sister lives in Arkansas. When I visit John, I live there in his room,

>rarely leaving. I spend several days to a week when I go. He is quiet

>most of the time. We listen to some music and watch funny movies. When

>John smiles his face glows. I spend a lot of time massaging his feet and

>moving his legs, which he no longer can move himself.

>

>Sue Mingus is bringing out a recording soon. It involves the big band,

>the orchestra and the dynasty. In October John and I went to the

>recording studio, where he conducted the big band to record the 3 Mingus

>pieces, which John had arranged. When the recording comes out, do look

>for it. Since the end of March, the Fez is no longer. The Mingus Big

>Band now performs at the Iridium on Tuesday nights. The orchestra is at

>Joe's Pub. Being that you are in California, this will not affect you

>until you come eastwards. I am glad you had an opportunity to enjoy John

>on stage. We all miss him.

>

>Please feel free to get in touch with me. If you want to write to John,

>here is the address:

>John Stubblefield

>room 613 N

>Calvary Hospital

>1740 Eastchester Rd.

>Bronx, NY 10461

>

>peace,

>Katherine Gogel

Edited May 9, 2005 by medjuck

[marcello]

This is sad news.

One of the really great and exciting players in the past 30 or so years.

[maren]

I do know that a drummer he has long worked with who is one of his closest friends also visits him at Calvary regularly.

This is awfully sad. Calvary is just about the best place you could be in, though, when going through this difficult passage (a friend of mine with terminal cancer ended her days there in 2001). It's really too bad his girlfriend lives out of town.

[sheldonm]

...very sad, indeed !

[sidewinder]

This is very sad to read - I wish John peace and I'm encouraged to read that he's being well looked after at the nursing home. Echo Marcello's sentiments, a great live performer.