rip paul rutherford

Just got word that British trombonist Paul Rutherford passed away. That's Paul on the far right, after a gig at the old Rocco on Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood. It was the first MTKJ Quartet performance; we opened for Rutherford's duo with bassist Torsten Mueller (second from the left).

What a sweet guy Paul was. I never got to play with him other than sharing the bill that night. I did organize a concert at CalArts a few days later for those guys, with the help of Chris Heenan (far left), who had brought them to town in the first place. I never met a musician more grateful to be playing than Paul was at that moment.

Think I'll go listen to Trombolenium as I have my coffee this morning...