Jerry Dodgion, R.I.P.

[Mark Stryker]

Sad to learn that Jerry Dodgion, a beautiful musician and beautiful soul has passed away at the age of 90. What a remarkably full life he lived within the marrow of this music! He graciously spent two afternoons with me back in 20116 telling me priceless and insightful stories that flowed into Jazz from Detroit. I was able to tell him that when I was in high school, I learned a great deal of his solo on Thad's "Tip Toe" Here's the text of an email that John Mosca sent out last night.

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Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen

           It’s the saddest of duties to report the passing of our great friend and mentor Jerry Dodgion (1932-2023) this afternoon. I’m sure a lot will be written and said for him in the coming days and years, about his great artistry as player and writer, and what a treasure of a human being he was. And of course we all have our individual memories of great times on and off the bandstand. 

            I’m trying not to gas on, as is my wont, in order to get to the idea that we, Jerry’s friends, need to help Ruby pay for funeral expenses. Jerry had been unable to work for several years, and required escalating levels of care, provided with amazing love and skill by his wife Ruby Valme. Naturally, this meant that Ruby had to hire aides to come in when she was working and eventually, had to stop working altogether to care for Jerry. Up until 1 year ago, she was also caring for her mother who passed at that time. As you’d expect, all of this has left her with no job  and no savings, so, simply put, it’s up to us to come through for Jerry and his family. We’ll do one of our musician memorials in town, but right now Ruby is doing a funeral and wake in Queens, details of which will follow, probably tomorrow, but time is of the essence as the services are shockingly expensive. I was thinking of a suggested contribution of $250, but even this wouldn’t fully cover it, so do whatever you can, and I hope some of you can make it out. We’ll do a Jerry style hang out memorial a little later here, and either way you’ll get to meet something else Ruby gave Jerry - a beautiful, loving extended family. Children, grandchildren, the whole band. Please pass the word to anyone we couldn’t remember to include here. Checks should be made out to Ruby Valme and sent to her at:
                                                                                                                                                                                              84 - 50  169th St.  Apt. 506
                                                                                                                                                                                             Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 
Many Thanks,
John Mosca

Edited February 18, 2023 by Mark Stryker

[JSngry]

RIP 

Surely this was a life well-lived! 

[Ken Dryden]

Marian McPartland loved the arrangement he wrote of her song “Ambiance” for the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra.

[sidewinder]

The story above is very sad to read. Jerry Dodgion was a fine pro and really excellent musician. So many great bands he played with and recordings he was on. Saw him just the once but it left a lasting impression. I’ll spin the Duke Pearson Big Band in his memory today - RIP.

[soulpope]

R.I.P ....

[BillF]

A mainstay of jazz of the classic era.

[Justin V]

When Ron Carter had his big band in Detroit a few years ago, he mentioned that Jerry Dodgion was ailing and had the wonderful Steve Wilson in his place.  I thus never got to see Dodgion perform, but I'll continue to enjoy the recordings he made.  Thank you for the music, Mr. Dodgion, and rest in peace.

Edited February 18, 2023 by Justin V

[Peter Friedman]

I had the opportunity to see and hear Jerry Dodgion numerous times with the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra.

He was a fine musician.

R.I.P.

Below is an album under his name that many not know.

[sgcim]

I did a Local 802 Musicians' Trust Fund gig with him in Manhattan, years ago. It was early in the day, so he came in with shades on and sight read the whole lead alto book

They did a doc on him, and I was surprised to find out he considered himself more of a reader and blues player than a Phil Woods-type bopper. Woods was staying at JD's house when Michel Legrand called JD for the Michael's gig. JD was on the road, so PW said he could do the gig, and the rest was history.

When the Lincoln Center lead alto couldn't cut the parts in a challenging book, they had to call JD to play lead, and he sight read the book perfectly.

A wonderful person from all accounts. RIP, Mr. Dodgion.

[optatio]

R.I.P...

[mikeweil]

Probably one of the best lead alto sax players ever. R.I.P.