Chris Albertson, R.I.P.

[Stereojack]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/obituaries/chris-albertson-dead.html?action=click

Chris was a lively contributor to this forum for several years.

 

[jazzbo]

Gosh. Sad news. RIP Chris.

[BillF]

Very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a real personality in these pages with, of course, incredible knowledge and personal experience of the music.

[jazztrain]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/obituaries/chris-albertson-dead.html?action=click

[Dan Gould]

Wow. So long Chris, and thanks for Bessie.

Can we combine with Jack's thread please?

[catesta]

I had a feeling he wasn't doing so well since he was always so active online, and then, not. It's sad he died alone.

We had some pleasant offline exchanges and even though he and I had many disagreements back in the day when you could discuss politics here, he was a gentlemen and usually maintained a sense of humor.

I thank him for the insight and stories shared.

RIP Chris.

Edited May 9, 2019 by catesta

[jazztrain]

Didn’t see Jack’s thread. Sorry!

[Dan Gould]

9 minutes ago, jazztrain said:

Didn’t see Jack’s thread. Sorry!

You can delete initial post and we can join the other thread with our thoughts.

 

 

[Dmitry]

As we all knew, Chris was a character, but...he could back up with facts just about every little thing he'd ever written.

I spoke to him at length about 15 years ago. http://home.nestor.minsk.by/jazz/articles/2005/04/0024.html

 

[J.A.W.]

Very sad to hear this. Had a few interesting online conversations with him years ago.

Edited May 9, 2019 by J.A.W.

[David Ayers]

Sorry to hear this. RIP. 

[Teasing the Korean]

I appreciated his contributions to the board, and also his knowledge of music.  I certainly missed his presence when he stopped posting.  Safe travels, Chris.

 

[JSngry]

Threads merged.

So sorry to hear this. He contributed so much to the music in so many ways for so long. Not just inside the industry, but as an individual citizen of the community. He could be a contentious cuss, for sure, but with real experience like his, I think he was entitled to his opinions, and to speak them as he chose. He saw so much of what most of us just heard about...whatever his grievances, he had his reasons. And his generosity, his willingness to pass on what he saw, immense, the benefits to us, incalculable.

There is no substitute for that kind of experience. None.

RIP, and gratitude aplenty.

[J.A.W.]

3 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Threads merged.

So sorry to hear this. He contributed so much to the music in so many ways for so long. Not just inside the industry, but as an individual citizen of the community. He could be a contentious cuss, for sure, but with real experience like his, I think he was entitled to his opinions, and to speak them as he chose. He saw so much of what most of us just heard about...whatever his grievances, he had his reasons. And his generosity, his willingness to pass on what he saw, immense, the benefits to us, incalculable.

There is no substitute for that kind of experience. None.

RIP, and gratitude aplenty.

Agreed 100%.

[sidewinder]

Very saddened to hear this - RIP.

[kinuta]

I'm very sorry to hear that.

I remember once sending him a copy of The Bed Sitting Room, a film that he was having problems finding.

In return he sent me a signed copy of his book. A brief exchange but one I'll remember.

[mikeweil]

This is one of the moments where it really hurts that all good things - and good lives - must come to an end. R.I.P, and many many thanks for your insights and all your work.

I hope someone will take care of his blog.

[GA Russell]

RIP Chris!

My favorite of his stories told here was the time he checked on Bessie's Amazon web page.  It said, Customers who purchased this also purchased...a vacuum cleaner!

[Aggie87]

I'm very sorry to hear this.  Like most of us, I enjoyed his contributions to our numerous discussions here and previously on the BNBB.  He was a bit crusty, but also told some fascinating stories.

Rest in Peace, Christiern.

[medjuck]

He was a true scholar of, as well as a participant in, the music.  RIP

[felser]

He showed much kindness to me in my early time here.

[Hot Ptah]

Chris was very nice to me in private discussions here. 

I wonder if he would chuckle if he knew that so many messages about him on Facebook and other places are of the “he was crusty but I still liked his comments” variety. 

Edited May 10, 2019 by Hot Ptah

[CJ Shearn]

RIP

[EKE BBB]

Awfully sorry to hear this. 

I had quite a few off-board exchanges with him in the past on Bessie and early jazz in general. He was always very kind a cooperative with me, and always an amazing source of knowledge.

He will be missed within the jazz community.

Rest in peace, Chris. 

[sgcim]

One of his greatest achievements was his reign as Station Manager of WBAI, the Pacifica station in NYC. During his tenure, it was the leading cultural institution in the arts, sciences and politics, and he brought many of the greatest minds of the times to the airwaves of its listening area. RIP, Chris.