Issue Articles — Obituaries
Obituary: Lionel Ferbos 1911-2014
Lionel Ferbos reportedly woke up on July 17, 2014, his 103rd birthday, and said, “What time is the party?” The “party” was his birthday bash at the Palm Court Jazz […]
Obituary: Bill Sinegal
Willie Norman “Bill” Sinegal passed away on April 14, 2014 in New Orleans. A retired veteran, Sinegal was born on May 13, 1928 and grew up in Uptown before moving […]
Obituary: Big Chief Larry Bannock
Feathered-and-beaded Mardi Gras Indians and those in street clothes rang their tambourines and chanted as they gathered near the large City of Love Church for the home-going of Big Chief […]
Obituary: Valentine K. Scheurich, III (1948-2014)
Valentine Kropp Scheurich III, who also went by Val or Ric, passed away Sunday, the 12th of January, from stroke complications. Scheurich was a graduate of Tulane Law School and […]
Obituary: Tabby Thomas (1929 – 2014)
Ernest Joseph “Tabby” Thomas—the “Godfather of Baton Rouge Blues”—died peacefully at home January 1 after a long illness. A prolific recording artist, club owner, record label owner, and all-around goodwill […]
Obituary: George H. Buck, Jr. (1929-2013)
George H. Buck Jr. founder of the GHB Jazz Foundation and the Palm Court Jazz Café, has passed away of a heart attack after a long illness. He was 84. […]
Obituary: Larry McKinley (1928-2013)
Larry McKinley, producer, the co-founder of Minit Records, and the voice of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has passed away. He was 85. Many people in the Crescent […]
Jack Maheu (May 1, 1930 — August 27, 2013)
Jack Maheu, whose career as a top jazz clarinetist spanned over 50 years, including 15 in New Orleans, died on August 27 in Ithaca, New York. For New Orleans musicians, his […]
Steve Blailock (1944-2013)
“When people were doing other things, I was always looking for the music,” Steve Blailock explained in a 1997 interview. A consummate guitarist and banjo player who was a fixture […]
Obituary: Bobby “Blue” Bland (January 27, 1930 – June 23, 2013)
Bobby “Blue” Bland, the greatest blues singer of the last three generations, died peacefully at his home in Memphis surrounded by family. He was 83. Although his recordings never “crossed […]
