OBITUARIES
This folder includes obituaries for jazz musicians or persons of significance to the Australian jazz community, written by several contributors. Click on the INDEX box to access a list of obituaries contained in this folder.
IN MEMORY OF ALAN TURNBULL, 1943–2014
by Dave Goodman
August 28, 2014
That Australian drummer extraordinaire Alan Turnbull, one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, died this morning is significant to the world, especially to the Australian jazz community. Receiving the news of Al’s death is, I’m sure, deeply significant and intensely felt by all who knew him…
OBITUARY: BRUCE VILES 1944-2019
by Eric Myers
The Australian, April 18, 2019
Bruce Viles, a likeable eccentric who ran one of Sydney’s most influential music venues, has died of an inoperable brain tumour. He was the principal part-owner of the Basement, near Circular Quay, from 1973 until he sold out in 2000. He was born in Sydney on July 20, 1944, to businessman George Viles and his wife Joyce, a tailor…
OBITUARY: ED GASTON 1929-2012
by John Shand
Sydney Morning Herald, October 18, 2012
Some musicians are like actors who cloak themselves in the music they play. Others cannot help but let the real them shine through every note. Ed Gaston was undoubtedly in the latter camp. He was universally regarded as good company and a gentleman, and his bass playing was buoyant, elegant and swinging. This made him prized by bandleaders… He was the first-choice bassist for many overseas acts touring Australia…