JerseyArticlesJazzBig Band in the SkyBy Tony Mottola Jersey Jazz Editor■ <strong>John</strong> L.Wallace, 85,former NJJSpresident,1923, NewYork, NY –Feb. 27, 2008,Hawthorne,NJ. A formerexecutive withPrevent BlindnessAmerica,Jack Wallacewas also a World War II U.S. Army veteran.He was a member <strong>of</strong> the RidgewoodHobbyists, an avid golfer, and a longtimemember <strong>of</strong> the New Jersey Jazz Society. Hewas elected Vice President <strong>of</strong> the NJJS in1989, elected President in 1990 and reelectedin 1991. In 1993 Jack served as theNJJS’s representative to the American Federation<strong>of</strong> Jazz Societies. Among the highlights<strong>of</strong> <strong>his</strong> tenure as president was a soldoutshow by Rosemary Clooney and theConcord All-Stars at the State Theatre inNew Brunswick. He was also instrumentalin securing a second-class postal permit forJersey Jazz. In 1990, while Jack was Societypresident, the NJJS celebrated the Centennial<strong>of</strong> Jazz at Waterloo Village and originatedInternational Jazz Day. The event wasendorsed by the United Nations and is theprecursor <strong>of</strong> the Smithsonian Institution’spresent day Jazz Appreciation Month.Donations in Mr. Wallace’s memory can bemade to Prevent Blindness America, 211West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL60606.■ Dennis Irwin, 56, bassist Nov. 28, 1951,Birmingham, AL – March 10, 2008, NewYork, NY. Dennis Irwin attended NorthTexas State University from 1969 to 1974 tostudy classical clarinet but, along the way,with the encouragement <strong>of</strong> two fellowstudents, he soon took up the bass andconcentrated on playing jazz. He progressedquickly and was working with pianist RedGarland in Dallas in 1973. In 1974 Irwinmoved to New York and soon after played inArt Blakey’s Jazz Messengers for three years.Most recently he hadplayed in bands led by<strong>John</strong> Sc<strong>of</strong>ield, <strong>John</strong>nyGriffin and Joe Lovano.He had also performedmost every Mondaywith the Vanguard JazzOrchestra since theearly 1980s. Dennis wasknown for <strong>his</strong> quick wit,at times entertainingaudiences with a bit <strong>of</strong>poetry or standupcomedy.A much in-demand player, Irwin’s discographyruns to more than 500 albums,including sessions with Chet Baker, StanGetz, Art Farmer, Art Blakey, Matt Wilson,and Toshiko Akiyoshi and many othernoted artists.His death from cancer came on the sameday as a benefit concert in <strong>his</strong> honor atJazz at Lincoln Center where Mose Allison,Tony Bennett, Ron Carter, Bill Charlap,Jack De<strong>John</strong>ette, Bill Frisell, Jim Hall, JonHendricks, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis,Paul Motian, <strong>John</strong> Sc<strong>of</strong>ield and othersperformed.Irwin’s illness drew attention to the difficultiesworking musicians have maintaininghealth insurance coverage, with The NewYork Times printing a story earlier t<strong>his</strong> yearabout the problems Irwin and other musicianshave in retaining adequate coverage.His case energized the jazz community andhas led to a commitmentby the EnglewoodHospital and MedicalCenter in Englewood, NJand the Jazz Foundation<strong>of</strong> America to create theDennis Irwin MemorialFund to make free cancerscreenings available tojazz and blues musicianswho are uninsured. Also,Adrian Ellis, executivedirector <strong>of</strong> Jazz atLincoln Center, hasannounced that thefar left: Jack Wallace.left: Dennis Irwin.below: Eugene Puerling doesan Einstein impersonation.organization willproduce an annualconcert to benefit jazzmusicians in need.■ Eugene ThomasPuerling, 78, vocalistand vocal arranger,March 31, 1929,Milwaukee, WI –March 26, 2008, SanAnselmo, CA. The Hi-Lo’s were a seminalvocal quartet whose tight and sop<strong>his</strong>ticated,jazz-tinged harmonies left their stamp onmodern jazz vocal ensembles as well aspopular music and rock, and Gene Puerlingwas the group’s arranger and guru. The Hi-Lo’s, founded in 1953, were championedalong the way by Bing Crosby, Steve Allenand Frank Sinatra and their 1956 albumSuddenly It’s the Hi-Lo’s briefly joinedBillboard’s Top 20, but their enduring impactwas more through influence on other artiststhan record sales. The Hi-Lo’s successes werememorable, but modest. Their innovativesound, as channeled through the BeachBoys, The Mamas and the Papas, ManhattanTransfer and others, was lasting and hasreached millions.The Hi-Lo’s disbanded in 1964 and Puerlingformed Singers Unlimited in 1967. TheChicago-based a cappella vocal grouprecorded 14 albums, with Puerling arrangementsthat used overdubbing techniques totransform four voices into rich vocal array— without limit.Puerling won aGrammy in 1981 for<strong>his</strong> arrangement <strong>of</strong> “ANightingale Sang inBerkeley Square” forthe Manhattan Transfer.Bing Crosby was reportedto have said <strong>of</strong> theHi-Lo’s, “These guysare so good theycan w<strong>his</strong>per inharmony.”JJ16__________________________________ May 2008
Lana’sRestaurantand Loungeat the Hyatt Hills1300 Raritan RoadClark, New Jersey 07066www.lanasfinedining.com732.669.9024Never a cover chargenor minimum;Lana’s boasts anaward-winning chef;consistently receives theZagat Review <strong>of</strong> Excellence;was voted one <strong>of</strong> the top50 restaurants in New Jerseyby NJ Monthly Magazine.Jazz at Lana’sJazz every Friday 7:30-11:30May 2:Swing into Spring at Lana’s!Enjoy the tranquil greenery<strong>of</strong> the Hyatt Hills Golf Complexon our beautiful, covered,heated patio now open foryour dining pleasure.Every Thursday, 7-11The Warren VachéQuartetNilson MattaBrazilian Voyage TrioSpecial Latin Menu and Sangria available!Exciting full schedule TBA. For schedule informationand to be included on our private mailing list,please contact brookevigoda@yahoo.com with“Lana’s” in the subject line.May 2008___________________________________ 17
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