[Dixielandjazz] RIP Tom Wood

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
We are just back from pianist (Sydney-Zenith Jazz Band) Tom Wood's funeral
farewell.
A goodly turnout of over 150 friends for an Anglican Church send off.
It was a wonderful tribute, with an emphasis on his work for jazz, from his
three daughters, a moving "In The Garden" (Carol Ralph, v; Geoff Holden, g;
Paul Furniss, cl) and a final farewell by Carol with Tom's Zenith band mates
and a long "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" as they carried the coffin from
the church.
The jazz people adjourned to the pub opposite for a few drinks, a few tales
and lunch. The wake is still in progress at Tom's house.
A surprise (but not really, to us in-the-know) was the attendance at the
service of Tom's friend, ex-neighbour and local member of Parliament, the
Hon. John W Howard (Prime Minister of Australia) and his wife Janet. We
stood next to them after the service as they casually chatted to Tom's
family, ex-neighbours and local friends. No acknowledgement, no fuss and no
(obvious) security presence. Happily, very much an Australian thing in this
sad, mixed-up world obsessed with the 'war on terrorism'.
Only in Australia.
Kind regards,
Bill.