[Dixielandjazz] Fred Walsh. A personal farewell to a wonderful musician and friend.

[Hans-Peter.Brack]

Dear Stan, Ellen, Andy and BHJB alumni,

 

Thank you for the unfortunate and sad news of Fred's passing. I enjoyed
playing together with Fred for many years with the BHJB at many clubs and
events around New England and will miss him. He was a great player and
friend, and Fred always very supportive/encouraging of my university
studies/homework made at the bar during our breaks from the bandstand.   

 

All the Best,

Hans-Peter

 

From: Stan McDonald [mailto:stanmm at comcast.net] 
Sent: maandag 28 december 2009 0:18
To: DJML; basplund; "Marce"; Robin Verdier; John Pierce; philip hower;
hans-peter.brack; Tony Pappas; Marce
Cc: aly4atp at aol.com
Subject: Fred Walsh. A personal farewell to a wonderful musician and friend.

 

Dear Marce, 

 

I'm sure you'll want to put this on www.nejazz.com. It is a terrific site
and I hope folks getting this will check it out.  

 

With thanks, Stan

 

Fred Walsh, superior traditional jazz trombonist, and my dear friend of some
50 years, passed away at his home in Franklin, NH, on December 26, around
6:15 PM. His wonderful wife, Attorney Bronwyn Asplund Walsh, called and left
a message with the sad news a scant hour later, but due to phone problems,
Ellen and I were not able to retrieve it until this AM. I finally reached
Bronwyn at 2:50 today. Needless to say, we were and are all in shock. 

 

Fred had been suffering for some years with lung and heart problems, and had
quadruple by-pass surgery about a year ago. Fairly recently he told me the
doctors were giving him about two years, but he was in good spirits. For
many years we had been keeping in touch and he would always send my son,
Andy, Christmas and birthday gifts. Andy has been especially fond of him
since childhood, as Fred was of Andy, who received a card and gift from him
again this Christmas, despite his infirmity. Bronwyn told me this was a very
good Christmas for Fred; celebrated at home with his daughter and her son. 

 

So it was a complete shock when Fred suddenly and precipitously went down
hill yesterday. Bronwyn told me he was playing a CD of my Blue Horizon Jazz
Band just before he died. Fred and I first played together around Boston
with the late Walter Miller (tpt) and Robin Verdier in the late '50's and
into the 60's, in various combinations including the Historic Jazz Band,
which Fred managed. In the 1970's Fred was with the East Bay City Jazz Band.
He last played -- and recorded with -- my BHJB at Ephraim's in Sudbury in
the 1980's when we had Walter, myself on reeds, Phil Hower on piano, John
Pierce or Hans Brack, bass, and the late Tony Hannan (of Eddie Condon's
fame) or Jimmy Kay on drums. Two of Fred's favorite tunes were Berlin's
"When I Leave the World Behind," and Bechet's "Love Me With A Feeling." Fred
is with the BHJB on a tape, Banned in Boston, and an LP, Classic Jazz
Variations. These are cited on our website, with personnel listed but both
are out of print. www.bluehorizonjazzband.com. 

 

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Dec. 31, at St. Paul's Church. School
St. Franklin, NH. There is a Holiday Inn nearby for those who would need to
arrive the previous night.

 

All of Fred's warm and genial nature, enthusiasm for and knowledge of the
classic jazz idiom were encompassed in the fullness and unaffected joy of
his playing. He will be equally missed by all who loved him as well for his
modest kindness and generousity of spirit.

 

Dear Fred, with our deepest condolences to your family, rest in peace in
God's keeping. With our love always, 

 

Stan, Ellen and Andy McDonald