Joey DeFrancesco RIP

[randyhersom]

Wikipedia confirms the passing of organist Joey DeFrancesco today.  I enjoyed his set with Pharoah Sanders at the High Point John Coltrane Festival a couple years back.

[LWayne]

Just saw a posting on social media. Did not know whether it was confirmed.

Horrible week.

LWayne

 

[randyhersom]

It looks like the date of death has been edited back out of the Wikipedia page.  Looking for more info.  

 

[sgcim]

It listed the tomorrow the 26th as the day of death on Wiki, and now it's today, the 25th. I hope this was a mistake. 51 years old?

What is going on?

[randyhersom]

I heard it from a musician friend in Brooklyn who is pretty well connected.  Hope I haven't spread a hoax.

 

[CJ Shearn]

I just got off the phone with Lenny White, I called to confirm and its indeed true. I  am in complete shock and have no words to describe how I feel. I read the news on the FB of a colleague, and I literally couldn't move for 5 minutes. Joey was really entering some new places musically and I can count on one hand those who are left well versed in the tradition JOS started, but no one knew Jimmy's music like Joey. 

[felser]

Loved his playing when in a good context.  RIP way way way too soon.

Edited August 26, 2022 by felser

[danasgoodstuff]

Crying shame.

[GA Russell]

RIP.  Pat Martino's Live at Yoshi's is a favorite of mine.

[soulpope]

R.I.P ....

[EKE BBB]

May he rest in peace.

He was far too young... he was my age! 

[BillF]

Dead at 51! Terrible! My late friend Ed Dipple, who made such a contribution to jazz in this country, had similar weight problems to Joey's (who seemed to have overcome them recently) and went at 50. Joey was at Ronnie Scott's a few weeks ago, but my plans for a visit were scotched by a rail strike. So I end up never having seen an organist whose work I love. 

Edited August 26, 2022 by BillF

[sidewinder]

Yet more sad news. I saw him as a youngster with John McLaughlin in that ‘Free Spirits’ trio, must have been around 1993. Not sure if I saw him with Martino’s group. Very talented, for sure. RIP.

[Rabshakeh]

14 minutes ago, BillF said:

Joey was at Ronnie Scott's a few weeks ago, but my plans for a visit were squashed by a rail strike. So I end up never having seen an organist whose work I love. 

This thought here too. RIP.

[mikeweil]

R.I.P. 

What can you say .....

[Hardbopjazz]

So long Joey, Rest In Peace.

 

    

[Rabshakeh]

Playing Live At The 5 Spot.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Aw shit... this is terrible. Too young,

He was an incredible player who I always tried to see when he came through town.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

 

[jazzbo]

Sigh. Too young.

[BillF]

I missed another opportunity of seeing Joey some years ago, when he was at the Wigan Jazz Festival. A friend who went said that at the end of the final climactic number showman Joey rose to his feet, turned round and plonked his huge behind on the keyboard . Festival organiser, Ian Darrington, who'd hired a top-grade expensive instrument for the occasion, was seen to have kittens. (Apologies if this is a UK-only expression.)

Edited August 26, 2022 by BillF

[John L]

Very sad, much too young. .

I was planning to go see him last week.  He played a birthday celebration for Todd Barkan at Keystone Korner in Baltimore.   I ended up not going and now really regret it. 

 

[JSngry]

Was this weight-related? Heart attack or something?

For those of us who are in a constant battle with/against compulsive eating, this is a very sobering reminder that nothing is free. Not only that, but the bill always comes due.

RIP

[Justin V]

It seems that most of my chances to see him came before I fell in love with the organ.  I ended up seeing him only once, with a star-studded lineup in Pittsburgh (Andy Bey, Billy Hart, Ingrid Jensen, JD Allen, Sean Jones, Mark Whitfield, Tineke Postma and Reginald Veal).  He last came to Cleveland in November and I somehow didn't go.  I can't believe he's gone now.  Thank you for the music, Mr. DeFrancesco, and rest in peace.

[Peter Friedman]

A big surprise to see the death of someone so young. I will play something by Joey today in honor of his memory.

 

R.I.P.