[Dixielandjazz] Jim Borkenhagen

[R & V Thompson]

On Monday, April 7th, Jim Borkenhagen passed away at home, quite
unexpectedly.  Bork, as he was known to practically everyone in the San
Francisco Bay Area, was well known in these parts but perhaps less well
known elsewhere.  He played trumpet with the El Dorado Jazz Band
(Northern California edition) from the mid 50's to its demise in the
early 60's, and with the Magnolia Jazz Band in the 70's and 80's, as
well as other groups.  When the Magnolia Jazz Band made a couple of
national tours in the late 70's and early 80's, other fans outside of
the San Jose area got a chance to hear Bork and may well remember him. 
He was a superb New Orleans jazz musician and an absolute gem of a
person.  

Today, Thursday, April 10th, a dozen musicians played at a memorial mass
for him at St. Clare's Church in Santa Clara and later at a reception at
the Eulipia Restaurant in San Jose owned by one his sons.  Bork would,
I'm sure, have approved.