26.4.08
JIMMY GIUFFRE
(1921-2008)
I'm sorry to report that I just heard from Juanita Giuffre that Jimmy died of pneumonia and Parkinson's today (April 24) two days before what would have been his 87th birthday. I met them (via email) because they listened regularly to my show and we discovered that Jimmy and I shared our birthday, April 26. We usually exchanged cards this time of year. He was most famous for "Four Brothers" with Woody, or with Shorty Rogers "Martians Go Home" or the Lighthouse All Stars, but fewer are aware of the beautiful very personal music Giuffre made in the 70's, 80's and 90s, much of it very free but in a thoughtful, non-aggressive kind of way. He was very important as a teacher as well, notably at the New England Conservatory. I'm spending the evening listening to some of Jimmy's great trio music... right now the trio with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow "Fly Away Little Bird". I just read a beautiful article on Jimmy written about 5 years ago by Rex Butters on allaboutjazz.com. - Jim Wilke
Jimmy Giuffre with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow
Jimmy Guiffre 3 -Train & The River, Live @ Newport Jazz Festival '58
Jimmy Giuffre / Bob Brookmeyer / Jim Hall
posted by eduardo chagas
@ 26.4.08 
