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.

OBITUARY: RAY SWINFIELD 1939–2019

by Lindy Swinfield

London Jazz News, October 23, 2019

Ray’s active 50-year career in music began in his native Australia. Aged eight, his love of music began in the primary school Fife Band. He recalled once in an interview that even from that early age, he knew he wanted to be a musician and was determined to work hard to achieve his goal. In his teenage years, jazz became his main focus. He would race home from school to listen to his latest vinyl of Buddy DeFranco, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Charlie Parker or Ben Webster, then practise the clarinet, saxophone and flute for hours…

OBITUARY: ADE MONSBOURGH 1917-2006

by Dick Hughes

Sydney Morning Herald, August 16, 2006

Ade Monsbourgh was singing I've Got What It Takes on a riverboat trip on the Yarra in Melbourne in February 1947, about the time of his 30th birthday. His trumpet in one hand, he dipped into his fob pocket with the other and produced a £1 note which he affected to hand to his bandleader, Graeme Bell, who was accompanying him on piano. It was a typical laconic gesture by one of Australia's greatest jazz musicians, who was known as both "Lazy Ade" and "Father Ade", and who has died at 89 at Nathalia, near Echuca in Victoria…

OBITUARY: CHARLIE MUNRO 1917-1985

by Eric Myers

The Australian, December 16, 1985

The distinguished musician Charlie Munro, died on December 9, 1985, aged 68, following a cerebral haemorrhage. He was one of the most important musicians in the history of Australian jazz, his career encompassing the swing, bop and modern jazz eras. A brilliant composer, arranger and instrumentalist, he played the cello — the only instrument in which he had formal training — and the saxophone family, as well as flute and clarinet…