Brother Ah (1934-2020)

[clifford_thornton]

Sad news. He was a fascinating artist.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/robert-northern-who-as-brother-ah-became-a-synthesizer-of-sounds-dies-at-86/2020/06/01/57aa7e34-a415-11ea-bb20-ebf0921f3bbd_story.html

[mjazzg]

He was

[bertrand]

A very nice gentleman who I had the pleasure of interacting with several times. Rest in peace.

[sidewinder]

RIP - yet more sad news.

[Patrick]

Rest in peace.

[sgcim]

He used to be known as the French Horn player named Robert Northern, on all those Miles and Gil Evans albums. RIP...

[JSngry]

There was something on PBS back in the day. Put a lot of pieces together for me, b/c I only knew him from Strata-East, had no idea about "Robert Northern" until then.

so yes, RIP.

[Justin V]

I didn't know that this thread refers to the musician formerly known as Bob Northern until today.  He contributed to so many great albums, including Andrew Hill's Passing Ships, a personal favorite.  Thank you for the music, Brother Ah, and rest in peace.

[sidewinder]

RIP, fine player. He’s interviewed as Robert Northern on that H. Eugene Smith ‘Jazz Loft’ documentary film, specifically about the Monk Town Hall Concert rehearsals with Hall Overton, Monk and co. at that loft.

Edited June 17, 2020 by sidewinder

[romualdo]

Just finished reading this wonderful two part (Open Sky Jazz) in depth oral history interview with Bob Northern (Brother Ah/Aah) - what an amazing/fulfilling/giving life though some of his recollections regarding the racist behaviour he experienced in a number of the orchestras (classical) he played in or almost got to play in (other players walked off stage when he came on, refusing to play) is profoundly disturbing.

https://www.openskyjazz.com/2018/05/a-life-in-music-from-robert-northern-to-brother-ah/

https://www.openskyjazz.com/2018/05/a-life-in-music-from-robert-northern-to-brother-ah-part-2/

[Hardbopjazz]

RIP.