Gene Ludwig, jazz Hammond organist from the Pittsburgh jazz scene passed away at age 72 on Wednesday July 14, 2010... at the West Penn-Forbes Regional Campus. Starting at age 6 on the piano and being inspired by the recordings of vocalists Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner and organ players such as Bill Doggett and Wild Bill Davis he turned to the organ after catching Jimmy Smith at a show in 1957. Jimmy talked Gene into getting a B-3 Hammond organ which he purchased in 1959 and the rest is history. Notably, aside from being a band leader himself, he was a sideman for Sonny Stitt, Arthur Prysock, Scott Hamilton, Bob DeVos, and Leslie West...read more about how a legend was born here. Gene's Wikipedia profile is here.
Visitation will take place from 7PM to 9PM Monday July 19th and 2PM to 4PM / 7PM to 9PM Tuesday July 20th at the Jobe Funeral Home, Beatty Road at Route 48, Monroeville, PA. At 11AM Wednesday July 21st a musical tribute will be given at Palmieri's Restaurant, Plum, followed by lunch. Mr. Ludwig's remains will be cremated. His official obituary can be found at Legacy.com. An on-line GuestBook is available by clicking here. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsburgh CAPA School, 111 Ninth St. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 so that a young individual may learn how music can touch their life.
Here is a video of Gene Ludwig at the organ with his trio in 2009:
(source: post-gazette.com, youtube.com, wikipedia.org) (photo:bobdevosjazzguitar.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment