I was not aware of Laura Branigan passing. What you said about the Bee Gees, it's been very tough on that family.
I forgot about 'high note' Maynard Ferguson. McFadden & Whitehead had some really great songs. Billy Preston, another very fine talent has also passed.
Mel Tormé shall not be crooning any longer. I saw him sing in Boston. Wonderful stuff!
Jazzman Dewey Redman died in September. He played mainly tenor saxophone, though he occasionally doubled on alto saxophone. He was best known for his collaborations with Ornette Coleman.
Jack Fallon; jazz bass player born London, Ontario in 1915, died in London England in May-2006. He played with the likes of Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, George Shearing, Maxine Sullivan, Hoagy Carmichael, Stéphane Grappelli plus many others.
On November 7th, George "Sonny" Cohn passed. He played trumpet as a sideman on a record by jazz pianist Jodie Christian, Cohn already had traveled the world with Count Basie, played behind such legends as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, and appeared on more than 185 albums. He was never a household name, but jazz musicians and fans knew Cohn for his trademark muted style as first trumpet in the Count Basie Orchestra. He was best known for his work on Basie's recordings of "April in Paris" and "Lil' Darling."
Gene Pitney of Connecticut while a sing star in the US, was even bigger in the UK where he died this year while on tour, ("Town Without Pity" and "Liberty Valance").
Wilson Pickett at only 64 years of age.
Lou Rawls has passed on. Everyone upstairs is being treated to his voice.
Jazz pianist and composer Hilton Ruiz died in June.
Jazz alto saxophonist Jackie McLean who played with Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, died in March of 2006.
French jazz horn-man Claude Luter died last month. He played with Louis Armstrong & many of great jazzmen.
