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: JOHN ‘OCKER’ BAMFORD 1930-1985

by Bruce Johnson

Jazz Magazine, Summer/Autumn, 1986

John Bamford was born in Adelaide on July 10, 1930, into a musical family, under whose influence he began playing piano at the age of four. Subsequently he became interested in jazz through the recordings of Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons...

OBITUARY: JACKIE ORSZACZKY 1948-2008

by John Shand

Sydney Morning Herald, early 2008

More than anyone else, Jackie Orszaczky was the hub around which the many-spoked wheel of the Sydney music scene revolved. While the music itself was always his priority, he engendered a sense of community in the process of making it. That a community of musicians could better serve the music, and that the music innately served the needs of the wider community, were central concepts to the Orszaczky philosophy...

OBITUARY: LEN BARNARD 1929-2005

by Hash Varsani

Len Barnard, Australia’s best loved jazz drummer, died at the age of 76. He was also a pianist, raconteur, wit, bon vivant, and honorary life member of the Musicians’ Union. His passing brought to a conclusion a singular contribution to jazz in this country, running the gamut from traditional jazz (including leading the band that brought his cornet-playing younger brother Bob to prominence), through swing, to modernism (including a high-profile phase with Galapagos Duck)...