RIP Jack Chambers

[medjuck]

Got this from the Toronto Duke Ellington Society:

I’m very sorry to report the passing of my friend and fellow author Jack Chambers earlier this week, in Toronto, at the age of 86.

Jack was a professor in the department of linguistics at the University of Toronto for many years — indeed, its head from 1986 to 1990 — and completed several respected books and countless articles in that field. His “parallel vocation,” as he described writing about jazz, drew similar approbation — Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis (1998), Bouncin' With Bartok: The Incomplete Works of Richard Twardzik (2008), A Tone Parallel to Duke Ellington: The Man in the Music (2025) and the forthcoming Ellington the Composer: Caught in the Act. His CV for linguistics and jazz together runs to no fewer than 41 pages.

Jack was the senior member of a group of journalists, academics and musicians in Toronto who shared an interest in writing about jazz and who would meet every now and then for dinner, drinks and, of course, disputation. Jack brought to our gatherings the same quiet, knowing authority that characterized his writing. As news of his death circulated privately last night, he was lauded by one of our number as “a rare and generous spirit.” I can only concur.

 

Posted by Mark Miller

[JamesAHarrod]

Very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. Our friendship bonded via our fascination with the life of Richard Twardzik.

 

Jim

[HutchFan]

Sorry to hear of his passing.  R.I.P.

 

[Chuck Nessa]

Sad news.

[JSngry]

He certainly did some work.

RIP

[ghost of miles]

Sorry to hear this as well. His Miles Davis bio was the first one I ever read, and I was especially grateful for his book on Dick Twardzik. Appreciation also to Mark Miller, who has done stellar jazz history work himself, for posting the news. 

[Lazaro Vega]

Sad indeed. 

[jlhoots]

R.I.P.