[Dixielandjazz] Cornetist and listmate Don Gumpert died Thursday March 17th

[Norman Vickers]

To:  DJML Listmates

Sad news indeed. Veteran cornetist Don Gumpert passed away at his home at
1:30 Pm, today, March 17th.

He was in home Hospice, was comfortable and with loved ones. This
information from two of his bandmates
Paul Bruketa and Dave Hanson.  Funeral arrangements are pending.  When
information is available, I'll pass it along.

In the meantime cards and letters can go to his wife Sandy at 312 Seminole
St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
Email Sandy at DonGumpert at cox.net

Don, a native of St. Louis, came to Pensacola in the mid-1960s to perform
regularly with a tight Dixieland group at Rosie O'Grady's in Seville Quarter
Entertainment Complex.  Original members of that band included clarinetist
Sammy Gardner and trombonist Tommy Harrison.  They all came down from St.
Louis, hired by enterpreneur Bob Snow.


In recent years, Don lived in nearby Fort Walton Beach and performed locally
as well as at jazz festivals  all over the country.  He died of cancer of
the kidney which was widespread at the time of diagnosis.  Seville Quarter,
the Jazz Society of Pensacola and other friends had a concert in his honor,
at which Don himself played, in September 2003.  Obviously, he lived longer
than the original predictions.  Don's last gig was about a month ago-- he
was on oxygen at the time, according to the reports.

He will be missed!

Norman Vickers