Issue Articles — Obituaries
In Memoriam: John Swenson (1950-2022)
John Swenson, writer and contributing editor of OffBeat, a longtime friend of the staff and a New Orleans music lover, passed away on Sunday, March 27, after a long battle […]
In Memoriam: “Grandpa” Elliott Small (1944–2022)
Street musician, harp player and vocalist “Grandpa” Elliott Small was a staple performer on the corner of Royal and Toulouse streets in the French Quarter. He died on March 8 […]
In Memoriam: Kevin O’Day (1973–2022)
Kevin O’Day, a journeyman drummer who played and recorded with an astonishing array of musicians across genres and decades in New Orleans died on March 8. He was 48. O’Day […]
In Memoriam: Classie Ballou Jr. (1954–2022)
Born November 17, 1954, Classie Ballou Jr. was a larger-than-life Creole bass guitar player from Lake Charles who redefined zydeco over a career that spanned more than 50 years. He […]
In Memoriam: Roger Hahn (1949–2021)
Freelance writer, editor and OffBeat contributor Roger Hahn died at age 72 in his New Orleans residence. Besides OffBeat Magazine, Hahn was featured in NPR Jazz Online, Louisiana Cultural Vistas, […]
In Memoriam: Jack Fine (1928–2021)
Cornetist Jack Fine, a jazz musician who played in New Orleans since the 1990s as a founding member of the Jazz Vipers, died on July 16, 2021. He was 92. […]
In Memoriam: Lyle Ferbrache (1944–2021)
After a valiant battle with cancer, esteemed author, historian and record collector Lyle Ferbrache died at his home in Brentwood, California, on September 22. He was 76. Besides being a […]
In Memoriam: George Wein (1925-2021)
George Wein, the visionary credited with creating the concept of the contemporary music festival, died on September 13 at his apartment in Manhattan. He was 95. Wein founded the Newport […]
In Memoriam: Bennie Pete (1976-2021)
Bennie Pete, a sousaphone player and founding member of the Hot 8 Brass Band, died on September 6 at New Orleans East Hospital. He was 45. Pete’s wife Lameka Segura […]
In Memoriam: Carol Fran (1933–2021)
Carol Fran, the sassy singer, pianist and songwriter who performed for more than 70 years, died September 1 in Lafayette. A resident of the Amelia Manor Nursing Home since 2018, […]
