[Dixielandjazz] Kenny Davern - Albuquerque Journal obit.

[Doctorjazz29 at aol.com]

Following was printed in the Albuquerque (NM) Journal  - December  14, 2006
 
DAVERN - John Kenneth Davern, 71, a resident of Albuquerque died  Tuesday,
December 12, 2006.  He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elsa  Davern; 
two children, Mark Lass and wife, Patti of Rancho Santa Fe, CA and Deborah  
Wuensch 
and husband, Rob of Poulsbo, WA;  four grandchildren, Hayleigh, Tyler,  
Rebecca, and 
Lauren; brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Elaine Corbalis and numerous  
friends and
fans.  Kenny was born in Huntington, Long Island on January 7,  1935.  After 
hearing 
Pee Wee Russell the first time, he was convinced that he wanted to be a  jazz 
musician and at the age of 16 joined the musician's union, first as a  
baritone saxophone player and
later as a soprano saxophone player.  His love was playing the  clarinet.  He 
played with
jazz greats such as Phil Napoleon,  Pee Wee Erwin, Red Allen, Ralph  Sutton, 
Yank Lawson, and his life-long friend Dick Wellstood.  In 1997, he  was 
inducted into the Jazz Hall of
Fame at Rutgers University, and in 2001 he received an honorary doctorate  of 
music at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY.  In the late 1980's, the New  York 
Times hailed him as
"the finest jazz clarinetist playing today."  Kenny was a devoted  husband, 
loving father and grandfather, and a friend to many and will be deeply  missed 
by all who knew him.
Cremation has taken place and at Kenny's request no Services wil be held at  
this time.
 
French Mortuary
7121 Wyoming Blvd., N.E.
Albuquerque, NM
505-823-9400
 
 
......
Respectfully submitted
Buzz and Vickye Blatherwick
Albuquerque NM