ORIGINAL POST FROM TUESDAY JULY 16th
Jazz writer and critic, Jack Massarik died on Sunday at the age of 74. He had (very) late-diagnosed pancreatic cancer. Jazzwise editor Jon Newey wrote this tribute to him. The Evening Standard have said: “We are deeply saddened to have lost our much loved friend and valued colleague.” His last live review for the Standard was of Barb Jungr in May; the Standard also has a live review archive. An obituary by Jane Cornwell with several tributes is HERE. Sympathies to family and close friends.
Not yet a subscriber of our Wednesday Breakfast Headlines?
Join the mailing list for a weekly roundup of Jazz News.
UPDATE 21st JULY 2014
Jack Massarik’s children Mark and Nina have asked that the following be published:
On behalf of the family thank you for the condolences you’ve sent us. We would like to invite you to Jack’s memorial service on Wednesday 30th July and ask everybody to arrive at 3:30pm. The service will be held at:
Essex Church
112 Palace Gardens Terrace
Notting Hill Gate
London W8 4RT
Apparently this address has caused SatNav issues for some, so in terms of landmarks it’s next door to The Shed restaurant and opposite the Mall Tavern pub.
We encourage you to come by public transport as parking nearby is limited. The church is a 5 minute walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station (take exit 1 and it’s second on the right), and buses 27, 28, 31, 52, 70, 94, 148 and 390 stop very close by. If you do need to come by car there is a Euro Car Park on Bayswater Road by Kensington Palace.
Following the service we will head over to the Upstairs Bar at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, in Frith Street, Soho for the wake which will begin at 6pm.
Since we are unaware of exact numbers we won’t be providing transport but it’s a very short journey on the Central Line from Notting Hill Gate to Tottenham Court Road station, and a 5-10 minute walk from there. We can provide further directions on the day to anyone that needs them.
Please spread the word and bring along anyone we may have missed. Dad had a massive number of friends, many of whom the family never met, so if you could help this message reach the right people it would be an enormous favour to us.
Thanks, Mark and Nina
(Message ends)
Categories: Uncategorized
I spoke to Jack about 2 weeks ago and he told me about the diagnosis . He put on a brave face but this has still come as a bit of shock to me. I just want to say thankyou for all the kind and supportive words. Sean
I loved you all my life. Sorry we were so distant. Truly saddened by this awful news. R.I.P.
I loved you all my life. Sorry we were so distant. Truly saddened by this awful news. RI.P.
I spoke to Jack about 10 days before he passed away. He was planning a big party – such a shame we didn't get to put one on for him. He'll be much missed. R.I.P Jack.
Claire Martin
Toured with Jack with Ronnie Jones and the Blue Jay,s 1966 all so T.Bone Walker.I last saw him about 20 years ago when iwas inLondon.Always new what he liked and we had some good hangs together.Sad news.
Brian Smith.N.Z.
Does anyone know when Jack's funeral is? Such sad news. RIP Jack. Bonny Blair.
We're hearing that the funeral will be for family, and are awaiting full and proper confirmation of the details of a commemoration event.
Dear Nina — I have just spoke to my friend Josef Koumbas, now living in Cuba, and he was most upset on hearing of Jack's death and asked that me to convey his condolences to you. He said he has many happy memories of great times with Jack, including jamming with the jazz gang at Josef''s big old house in Crouch End. I believe I met you there once. Of course I add my own condolences. Jack was a great character and will be sadly missed.
Sincerely, Paul Aldam