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Kent Bey left a comment for Derrick Finch

April 12

Make it Happen left a comment for Derrick Finch

March 27

Make it Happen left a comment for Derrick Finch

March 25

Derrick Finch was featured

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March 13

Maryellen Hayden left a comment for Derrick Finch

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March 5

Dietrich and Derrick Finch are now friends

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At 5:57pm on April 12, 2009, Kent Bey said…: Greetings... I am establishing a live Jazz Night on a Wednesday between 7pm to 10pm at a very nice, clean, and classy venue in the East Liberty area. The evening will feature local Pittsburgh musicians like Tony Campbell and many others performing for a very appreciative audience of jazz lovers.

I am a Pittsburgh native and local youth arts advocate attempting to expose young up and coming artists to the heart and soul of pure Pittsburgh music culture and traditions as they meet and learn from some of the local Music Masters. If you are interested in hosting a Wednesday night once a month or every other month I would be humbled and honored to make this happen.

Respectfully,

Kent Bey

412.657.3327
kbey7@royaltribemusic.com

At 3:41am on March 27, 2009, Make it Happen said…: Jazz, cat lovers come to rescue of crash victim's cat
Thursday, March 26, 2009
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A cat that survived a Feb. 17 car crash in California that killed Wilkinsburg native and jazz musician Dr. Derrick R. Finch is being flown to a new home in Pittsburgh thanks to the generosity of jazz lovers and cat lovers.

The tabby cat named Shadow has a new home with Shelia Finch, Dr. Finch's mother.

Dr. Finch, 37, a jazz musician who played throughout California, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate's degree from the University of Southern California.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies who arrived at the accident scene found the cat and took it to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, a shelter in Thousand Palms in the Los Angeles area. Friends told shelter workers that Shadow frequently traveled with Dr. Finch. The shelter contacted Mrs. Finch, who said she would like to take Shadow into her Wilkinsburg home.

The California shelter raised money to buy Shadow an airline ticket. He arrives in Pittsburgh on Friday, and Gretchen Fieser from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society will pick him up and deliver him to Mrs. Finch.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First published on March 26, 2009 at 5:01 pm

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09085/958543-100.stm

At 6:12am on March 25, 2009, Make it Happen said…: I just heard today about Derrick’s tragic passing by happenstance. We hung out frequently or as he would say would say-journeyed together, broke bread, smoked plenty of cigars, but more importantly we talked about how to overcome the challenges of life in a progressive manner and "keep it real." We shared so much and he truly made me a better person. I spoke to him last while I was in D.C., which was in mid-January. He was telling me about his days playing at Twins Jazz on U-Street; he was also packing boxes and putting the finishing touches on his dissertation while talking on the phone with me. I only wish that he was able to make the transition to Boston for bigger and better. Already well respected by peers directly in the music industry, and loved by friends generally, I think it can be agreed that Derrick was a once in a generation pianist and the next "big thing" for the rest of the world to know.

My heart goes out to his family in Pittsburg, his fiancé and those who were positively touched by him all over. My deepest sympathies to the family of Sonja Abate, I hope your daughter makes a full and fast recovery.

There will be a memorial service for Derrick’s LA family on Sunday, March 29, 2009: 3:00 p.m. at the University of Southern California (USC).

Here is a link with more details: http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/32/event/869006

There is so much more I want to say, but this will have to do.

RIP: Derrick R. Finch, DMA (1972 – 2009)

At 3:41am on March 6, 2009, Maryellen Hayden said…: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&channelID=93828181&MyToken=16b85ff7-fddf-43dc-94ca-6d2f07f20ca4

Videos of Dr. Derrick Finch

At 1:50am on March 6, 2009, Maryellen Hayden said…: His Funeral Mass was beautiful, his fiancee worte a stunningly perfect and simple letter to Dr. Derrick for all of us that was so real and so powerful, and she delivered it to us proud, head flung back, tears flowing but not stopping her, she gave it to us all woman, every bit as good as Maya Angelou ever delivered a poem.I could see why Derrick loved her..

He would have been proud.

Amen.

At 5:24pm on March 5, 2009, Anthony (Tony) Janflone said…: He was a beautiful player and person and will be greatly missed but not forgotten. My deepest sympathy to those of us who knew and loved him.
I pray to God to keeps us all a close community.

At 5:13am on March 2, 2009, Hill Jordan said…: My Best friend's wife is a life-long friend of Derrick's & has informed me that Spriggs & Watson Funeral parlor is handling the funeral/visitation arrangements. As of today she hadn't heard that a specific date had been set but that it would be early this week. As soon as I get specifics I'll definitely post it here.

HILL

At 6:00am on March 1, 2009, Melissa Good said…: Totally different venue...but if anyone knows the song "Six Strings Down", which was a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, you will appreciate the lyrics.... I didn't know you Derrick, but may God bless you...

At 9:39pm on February 25, 2009, Courtney said…: Have any funeral arrangements been made in Pittsburg, PA yet?

At 7:47pm on February 25, 2009, Andy Yalch said…: Derrick was one of my early music students in the wilkinsburg school system. He loved the piano! I have known him and his family for many years. We had so many musical good times together and I was so proud of his accomplishments! My heart and goes out to his family!