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Comment by Regina Johnson on April 7, 2011 at 1:22am

Imagine the 'joyous noise' . . Luther, Gene, Squirrel, Lena joining Errol, Art, Billy, Dakota and too many others that we have lost. .  representing Pittsburgh! Everytime we loose such a talent, it's like we've lost them all, all over again. 

Comment by Bettoman on March 16, 2011 at 9:10pm

I remember when Melvin Sparks first came to Pittsburgh as the replacement for George Benson in the Jack McDuff Quartet at the Hurricane.  I last saw him at the Detroit Jazz Festival in September 2010 backing singer Ernie Andrews along with Louis Hayes, Bobby Watson and an organist.

Comment by Roberta Windle on March 16, 2011 at 8:08pm

It is so very important to remember & praise those who have been such an important part of our lives. Very, very important!

Comment by Garl Germany III on March 16, 2011 at 5:20pm

Luther was really one of the best, he will be missed.

Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on March 16, 2011 at 5:18pm

Melvin Sparks Dies at 64

March 16, 2011 – allaboutjazz.com - Melvin Sparks, a much-in-demand soul-jazz guitarist who recorded with virtually all of the great organists of the late ’60s and ’70s and pioneered a sound that borrowed from Grant Green and Sly Stone, died on March 13 . He was 64. Sparks was at his best playing a muscular, groovy rhythm guitar behind organists like Leon Spencer and Charles Earland , breaking out occasionally with a melodic, groovy solo. He was a mainstay at Prestige during the ’70s, where he was a first-call session guitarist noted for his pulsating twangy feel.

Two of my favorite albums featuring Sparks are Leon Spencer’s Louisiana Slim (1971) and Charles Earland’s Infant Eyes (1978). Here’s Leon Spencer on Mercy, Mercy Me with Sparks keeping jazz-soul time. And here’s Charles Earland’s Thang from 1978 off of Infant Eyes, with Sparks running a string-bending solo. Also on the date: Bill Hardman (tp), Frank Wess (fl,ts), Mack Goldsbury Melvin Sparks, Grady Tate (d) and Lawrence Killian (perc).

Comment by Dan Wasson on March 16, 2011 at 4:39pm

has anyone heard any news about Roland Draft?

Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on March 13, 2011 at 4:28pm

TURHAN ABDUL SHABAZZ

|   Visit Guest Book

SHABAZZ TURHAN ABDUL
(CASEY RAYMOND O.)
On March 7, 2011, Turhan, age 74 of Penn Hills. Husband of Bariki Hall Shabazz; father of Charles Raymond Casey, Angela Renee Cook, James Edward Casey, Crystal Lynn Rodes, Donita Sawyer, Brandon Rahman Casey and Kevin Casey; brother of Sybil Jones; also survived by grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Friday 2-8 p.m. at the First Church of God in Christ 700 Talbot Ave., Braddock where the funeral service will be held Saturday, 10 a.m. Interment Monongahela Cemetery. Services of comfort entrusted to WATTS MEMORIAL CHAPEL INC., 808 Talbot Ave. Braddock 412-271-3880.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from March 10 to March 11, 2011

Comment by Flo Taylor on March 12, 2011 at 9:13pm

I am posting here today because I miss my friend, Luther DeJarunett. I hope I'm posting in the right place. I miss him dearly and need to vent my pain at not being able to dial his number and hear his voice, which I did often.

 

For the past few years I have been somewhat preoccupied and have not kept in touch with many people, but he was one of the few that I stayed in contact with. He was someone who was always ready to lend an ear, always there when I needed someone to talk to. There were times when he could not get out and about and I didn't mind doing whatever I could to help him as well.

 

When I heard of his death two days ago, I thought I got the information wrong so I began calling people, hoping that a mistake had been made...then I went to his Facebook page and the reality hit me...a day late. I had just talked to him two days before. He was planning to do his next gig, an annual fundraiser that he looked forward to every year with the Tim Stevens Project. He had a bad cold and said he was going to get some rest.

I talked to one of his long time friends, Michelle, this morning who advised me to try not to be upset and that folks were taking care of the burial/ceremonial plans. I talked to his neighbor (he found him) who also assured me that everything is being taken care of and that relatives who live outside of Pittsburgh have been contacted. One is a nurse, fortunately. There are questions to be answered.

What Luther and I had in common was an inability to sleep sometimes. From the beginning of our friendship he was one that I called and I was one that he called at ANY time, night or day. He talked about not wanting to die alone...not wanting to die soon and that is exactly what happened. As time passed and I took on another 'life assignment', we didn't talk as long or as much at night, but I kept in touch with him on a regular basis. I miss him so much and I am angry at what has happened to him. I know that I am supposed to be accepting, since there isn't a damn thing to be done now, but that is not happening. I am restless and I think that his spirit must be, also.

I am in Houston now and unfortunately won't be there for the service, so I'll continue to be in contact with those who are 'in the mix' right now. Luther was a fantastic musician, a wonderful person and I miss him incredibly. I don't know if he is resting in peace though...he's just gone. Too soon. His death was untimely, unexpected and unnecessary. Right now, I need to hear from Butch McGhee and Nelson.

Comment by Roberta Windle on March 12, 2011 at 2:26pm

For all the special musicians who have gone to that better place, your memories will live forever.

Comment by Harold Walker on March 11, 2011 at 10:32am

Condolences

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