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: SERGE ERMOLL 1943-2010
by John Clare
Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA), November 10, 2010
The death of pianist/composer Serge Ermoll late last month came as no surprise to those who knew him. He was very overweight and had been warned by his doctor that one more drinking binge would most likely be his last. In fact it was a cancer which many of us were unaware of, that killed him. While the end was no surprise, it came as a shock. Serge’s erratic energies, his rages, exuberance, friendships, vendettas, deep glooms and high elations were like the elements. Surely they would never go away…
OBITUARY: DON BURROWS 1928-2020
by John Shand
Sydney Morning Herald, March 25, 2020
In 1993 Don Burrows was part of an Australian fly-fishing team competing in Cuba. The members were in their hotel bar when a local band began to play, and, Burrows – being Burrows – had a flute on him, and joined in. The amazed musicians asked through an interpreter how he knew the songs. Burrows explained that some he’d heard on the radio, and otherwise he was a jazz musician just using his ears. The Cubans were keen to play more, but the competition took Burrows away for the next week…
OBITUARY: MIKE HANCOCK 1934—2008
by Gretel James
VJAZZ 41, February, 2009 edition
Mike Hancock was born on November 30, 1934, and died on October 19, 2008. His introduction to jazz was as a teenager when he was able to meet Louis Armstrong, who was performing at the West Melbourne Stadium. A life of unequalled boredom followed school when employed in a firm of chartered accountants, rendered palatable only due to visits to Power House, 431 Club, Maison de Luxe and the Collingwood Town Hall. His life was saved from eternal ennui by getting a job on the Stock Exchange, which, 20 years later, led to his owning and running three pubs...