John Bunch RIP

[Ted O'Reilly]

I've heard from two different sources that John Bunch, the wonderful pianist, has died, but I see nothing confirming that. Has anyone further information? (He turned 88 last December...)

[brownie]

Also saw the report but I have not been able to find confirmation of what would be very sad news!

[brownie]

Announcement from the bebop spoken here blog

[sheldonm]

John is from Indy. I met him once, tried to get him back here for my great day in Indy photo but he's typically in europe in June. I think he died of cancer. Very nice guy; great player.

I heard the news from another Indy player...drummer Benny Barth.

m~

[Clunky]

I managed to see him just once , entirely by accident. Junior Mance was meant to play a trio gig at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival one year, for what ever reason Mance cancelled and was replaced by a handful of pianists playing solo. Four 20 minute slots. I sat down blissfully unaware that Mance was off and was a little surprised but also delighted when Stan Tracey appeared to play. John Bunch I think came up last, he was funny swung like mad and played a wonderful albeit brief set. Really liked a tune he referred to as "John's Bunch"

Very elegant player RIP

Edited April 2, 2010 by Clunky

[Dan Gould]

I'm not 100% sure but I think I saw Bunch backing Scott Hamilton in 1992 or '93 in NYC, a place on the east side, maybe in the 30s or 20s. I do know Bunch appeared on at least a few of Hamilton's early Concord recordings, I plan to dig them out as I think those are the only Bunch recordings I have.

The Times has an obit up fast this time.

[JSngry]

He aws on the Benny Goodman/Moscow band/album & contributed a few nice charts therein. Are there any other documents of his big band writing?

[makpjazz57]

Sad to say it is true - John Bunch's passing:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/arts/music/02bunch.html

Marla

[BillF]

I remember John Bunch as pianist on this great album:

and on this session, the only recording date of my bassist friend, Danny Padmore:

[Hardbopjazz]

Sad news indeed. He just played Smalls in NYC on the 23rd of March. He always played so well with Tony Bennett.

RIP.

Edited April 2, 2010 by Hardbopjazz